Ribs are still sore
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notme
Member Posts: 161
I finished rads Feb 22. My skin has healed, but my ribs and other bones are still sore. I guess I had quite a bit as it was 6 views and I was there 20-25 minutes each day. I worry as to why I am healing so slowly. Doc says that it is because I had rads following chemo and surgery and the wound was necrotic, so it took a long time to heal. He said my body has had to work very hard to heal a lot.
It only hurts when pressure is applied. When I sleep on that side for a while and then roll over, ouch. Anyone else still sore after 4 months?
notme
It only hurts when pressure is applied. When I sleep on that side for a while and then roll over, ouch. Anyone else still sore after 4 months?
notme
Comments
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I finished rads in early Dec 06 and still experience occasional discomfort-the sore/stiff feeling on the radiated side and I didn't even have to go through chemo. Surgeon and Onc say it's to be expected. That doesn't comfort much when it wakes you up at 2am does it? I have noticed improvement in the last few weeks, so hopefully you will too. Chin up-it gets better believe it or not!
best-
Veronica -
My oncologist thinks I should be getting back to normal, but my rads oncologist thinks this is normal. He said most healing is done in the first 4 months after rads, but to give it a year. If I'd known this I would have extended my disability. I had no idea it would take so long to get well and I'm not really up to full days of working and the stress that comes with it!
notme -
There is a condition called Costochondritis that is caused my rads. It is inflammation of the meat between the ribs. In Dr. Susan Love's Book she says grab a handful of skin and meat, and if it hurts like heck, it is Costochondritis. No big deal, I think just designed to keep you scared to death.
And, to make things even scarier, it often starts several weeks AFTER rads are finished. Sheeesh
Gentle hugs, Shirlann -
Well I grabbed a handful of skin and meat, but no pain. It just hurts with pressure to the bones. Costochondritis has an awful sound to it, doesn't it?
Sadly, it is comforting to know that others have had the same experience.\
notme -
Well, yes, but "itis", as we all know, means inflammation, and I heard the Costochon part is just the name of the area.
I too still have deep pain, after 8 & 1/2 years. Several docs look puzzled, and mumble about bone softening.
I am so glad I am still here I don't say much anymore.
Hugs, Shirlann -
Shirlann,
Yes, I have to agree. I have so many little ailments before and after the cancer, I cannot chase them all. There is not enough time or money.
It helps to have everyone here to talk to so I can try and figure out which things to chase.
notme -
my ribs are still sore nearly year after rads. my surgeon told me it can take up to 2 years to heal! and that it is pretty common. Pat
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Yes, I have been having sore ribs on and off after finishing radiation treatment in December. Seems to be aggravated by exercise, especially bike riding! I don't think being sedentary would be the solution for me, but it has been uncomfortable especially at night when I'm sleeping. It's a little scary. I'm curious if others out there have been experiencing the rib pain? Like "not me" explained, it's especially painful when pressure is applied. I have tried icing after exercise which helps a little. Any other suggestions or experiences out there?
Thanks to all of you! -
I have rib pain on the left side. I am 8 & 1/2 years out of treatment. I suspect "rib softening", but being in an HMO, I cannot get anyone to take me seriously.
When I bend wrong or twist to the left, it is so bad I have to hold my side and hold my breath. It is agony, so I don't do that anymore. hahaha, It hurts a little most of the time.
Since I am so far out, all I get from my docs are dreamy looks. I don't really want any more x-rays, they did one, found nothing (not unusual, since soft tissue does not really show up on x-rays) and I don't want another x-ray.
So where to go from here? I just live with it. By the way, I am the ONLY one I have ever heard of with this long a problem. So it sure isn't very common.
Pain for a year or two is not unusual, but this long is.
So I would expect you will recover fully.
Gentle hugs, Shirlann -
Well, I am amazed that so many of us have pain long after radiation. If the docs tell me that I should not have pain from rads anymore, I will tell them where I did MY research.
Geez, did you ever think that this cancer experience would just keep going on and on? I used to think that one day it would be over.........
notme -
I have been having this problem for months! Finished rads Oct '06 and am noticing my left side is sore when I twist or lay on it as well. I have been googling "sore rib cage" and lupus, fibromyalgia, CANCER and costtocondritis came up as possibilities!! I have been worried sick and was wondering if I need a bone scan to rule out bone cancer. I didn't realize rad effects could result so long after treatment. Is there anything that can be done about the bone softening issue? Keep the info coming, I am sure glad to hear it is more common then I thought. Not glad to hear there seems to be no medical care or concern for us. Keep the faith...
MJ -
I go go for my annual physical in a week or so, and I am going to try and get some help for this side pain. This nice GP won't have a clue, but maybe he will have some suggestions for me about who to see. I guess Radiation Oncologist. I STILL can't sleep on that side after 8 & 1/2 years, and of course, that is where my body wants to go every dang night!
Anyway, breast cancer, the gift that keeps on giving.
Gentle hugs, Shirlann -
Quote:
There is a condition called Costochondritis that is caused my rads. It is inflammation of the meat between the ribs. In Dr. Susan Love's Book she says grab a handful of skin and meat, and if it hurts like heck, it is Costochondritis. No big deal, I think just designed to keep you scared to death.
And, to make things even scarier, it often starts several weeks AFTER rads are finished. Sheeesh
Gentle hugs, Shirlann
I already have costochondritis, and I start rads this coming week. This should be fun. -
I am so curious about this......I finished rads late Oct. 2006. I had bi lateral masectomy and 4 a/c and 4 taxotere herceptin chemos with herceptin for a year just finished herceptin end of June. Since dec 2006 in my scans I have had fratured and broken ribs showing up on my left side(which is where my cancer was, no cancer on the right side) it is the 4-8 ribs...some times one is a healing fracture one is broken I have many issues with swelling, sometimes intense pain sometimes down my arm sometime numbness to my two toes after big toe....My radiation Oncologists said not from rads....my oncologists says from rads.....I have plastic surgeon doing microvascular diep reconstruction July 30....he feels it could be the starting of Osteonecrosis-death of bone(my oncologists agrees, rad oncologists disagrees) he hopes to put a sliver of muscle over the area with blood flow to nurious the bones. Is there anyone else out there like this??? I am extremely limited on what I can do without fracturing my ribs.....as in laughing and coughing I cannot lay on that side at all....I did have 11 nodes removed. My oncologists said it is not common, but she has had a handful of patients with repeative issues as these in 27 years of practice and it was a time time time thing.....any other ideas??? I appreicate any info...I just do not want to be on pain pills and Ibru-800 forever. Thanks fists up....JoAnna
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JoAnna,
Dry brushing has really helped me with my lymphatic system and circulation after my breast cancer treatment. When you get up in the morning use a soft brush and brush in long, light to the touch strokes up your arms towards your heart. You can do your whole body including your breast and this should help your circulation. My naturopath also has me doing caster oil packs (rub caster oil on your belly and cover with a heating pad for 20 minutes). There are lots of toxins in your body from your treatment and you need to clean out your system. Drink lots of water, organic vegetables, and take really good care of yourself. Meditate, do light yoga, and work on deep breathing. Massage therapy and acupuncture might help you too. Big hugs to you and hang in there sweetie KBean -
Wow Josie,
This is an eye opener for me! I never heard of osteonecrosis related to radiation after- effects before!!
Could this be the rib cage pain I have had for a month? I wonder how skilled our Dr.s are at diagnosing this. According to the above posts - not that great. When I goolgled this condition other rhuematic terms came up like lupus etc. Keep us informed as to what the Docs are suggesting as treatment. I guess I will have to go in for an appointment. I did read somewhere that the condition CAN spontaneously reverse itself. Let's hope for more of that! Your DIEP Doc has an interesting apprtoach with sdding some muscle to the bone. I had a DIEP at NOLA last May and am waiting for stage 2 whwen my white blood count goes up. I am wondering if this infalmmatin could have anything to do with that?!
Thanks for the information everyone and kbean, I appreciate the dry brushing information. I am going to get going on that as I had 12 positive nodes (out of 20) removed during masectomy. My lymph system is defintely compromised. Had great instruction from a lymphedema trained OT for preventative massage. Thanks again ladies, I am greatful for the illuminatin.
MJ -
Maxgirl - How did you get Costochondritis before rads?
notme -
Oh wow, I bet I have that bone dead thing. Shoot, since my rib pain does not get any better and I too have several broken ribs, this sure fits. Dang it.
Oh man, now I get to try and get some nitwit GP to help me with this, sighhh,
Hugs, Shirlann -
I'm glad I read your posts. I finished mammosite radiaiton Feb 2, 2007 and started having rib pain about a month ago. I also have a burning in my chest at times, along with other shooting pains other times. Along with that; my left breast is sore still. When I look at my breast it's looks great, just for the scar from lumpectomy and small scar from mammosite. It doesn't feel great, so looking good is no comfort to me!
I have an appointment this morning with my rad onc to see what he says and hopefully suggests. It's hard to sleep at night because the left side is so painful, bothers me during the day at work, sometimes more than others. I'm a nurse in a busy unit in a hospital, have to move patients onto OR tables and off again etc. A lot of pulling and strecthing. Ouch!
I had no idea that I would be having this, thought it was all golden after treatments! I'm not a complaining sort of person, but this is wearning me down. Sorry to hear of others having this problem, but it is a comfort to know that I'm not alone.
Alice -
Hi Alice, don't let my post scare you. I am most definitely the ONLY person I have ever seen or talked to that has had this much trouble so long. Most have Costochondritis, and it gets well by itself.
The electric shock thingy is the nerve endings, most annoyed at being severed.
Having a relatively physical job is not a big help, either.
But truly, you should get better soon. I and one or two others, are the only ones with long term problems I have run into and I have been on this board forever.
Gentle hugs, Shirlann -
I FINISHED RADS JULY OF LAST YEAR AND I STILL CAN'T SLEEP ON MY RIGHT SIDE! THE SURGEON AND RADS MD SAID THAT THIS IS COMMON AND SOME WOMEN HAVE DISCOMFORT FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS.
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Hi NYMEDCODER, I can't sleep on my LEFT side, either, and of course, that is the only side my body wants to sleep on.
I kinda had a little luck with the big long body pillow, it let me be on that side but really more in the middle, I guess the illusion of being on that side helped.
Hugs, Shirlann -
Quote:
Maxgirl - How did you get Costochondritis before rads?
notme
Sorry I didn't get back to answer this. The doc had no explanation for where it came from. And I should have said "had", I think. It hasn't bothered me for a couple of years -- swimming seemed to help even though it hurt at first. -
I am so glad I found this topic! I have had aches and pains in my ribs since about a month out of rads-so April/Mayish. I mentioned it to my radiation onc and she said it shouldn't be from the rads and my regular onc said it might be from rads and I'm thinking great-so I'm crazy or worse yet I think rib mets! I think it might be the Costochondritis because it hurts like hell if I grab a handful-sometimes even my bra hurts.
Also-does anyone else's breast feel like leather? It's so hard and the skin is thickened-especially where they aimed the rads-will it ever be normal again?
Yeah I agree w/ Shirann definitely the gift that keeps on giving!
Tracy -
My radiation treatments ended six months ago, and I can finally sleep on my side. But yes, I do have thickened, leathery skin and swelling. The doctors have determined that I have truncal lymphedema (which is swelling in the breast and trunk). I saw my breast surgeon this week for my one year followup, and he stated that my cosmetic outcome from my lumpectomy was 75 on a scale of 0 to 100, with a zero being someone that you could not even tell visually that they had a lumpectomy and radiation and 100 being someone much worse than me. I guess what I am trying to say is that my fear was that the appearance and swelling, etc., meant that my lumpectomy and radiation was not successful from a medical standpoint (the pain in my ribs worried me also), and to hear that it is just a cosmetic appearance (which happens) was a great relief to me. I look fine in clothing or bikini tops so am satisfied. Please try not to worry too much (easier said than done) - I believe it is much more common than we are led to believe that the pain, swelling, etc. lingers.
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Every time I get angry, my posts somewhow are deleted...I have sore ribs, sore chest muscles; was told I had a mystery broken rib after surgery 12/05. Had no idea this pain would get worse, and that the radiation would intensify the already intense nerve pain from surgery and taxol and a/c.
The cancer docs said the broken rib might have been caused from something as simple as a cough; a common occurance:
My fam doc thinks they dropped me after or during surgery, lol/ hematoma the size of a cantelope; seroma in the armpit the size of an orange. back pain every since, as well. shoulder blade in back, another oddball pain since surgery. I keep thinking it's bone cancer, they say no way, too many tests, I'm cured.
If I am cured, why to I feel worse every day; why is it hard to remember anything? It's trip neg grade 3, vascular invasion...and every bone and joint hurt, especially the ribs and sternum...but I am cured. I should be happy.
Almost a year later, was told by another doc, it's myalgia.
An over all tissue and muscle weakness due to rads. It might go away. Might not. I've tried pain meds, they all make me sick; the docs act like we're druggies or something when you ask for a pain pill. Keep the darn constipating things; I only use them when it's unbearable.
The pain in the ribs; chest, under the left surgery breast;
Recent exam says I am No Evidence of disease...so what the heck is that supposed to mean? I am in pain, my hands and feet are numb and feel like they are on fire, and my ribs and back and neck constantly in torture. I am about to lose my husband, because he is sick of seeing me sick. This was the first year he did not give me an anniversary card with flowers. He can't even look at me.
So what. My ribs hurt, I forget everything, anyway.
Indi -
I have been having pain left upper rib underneath right breast for the past 4 days. It is especially bad when I take a deep breath or move a certain way. I finished radiation 2/06. I have found that Motrin helps.
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Indi,
You have had a really rough time of it. I am sorry for the Doc's who don't get what is really like to go through this cancer process. No way could they know unless it was THEM! My ribs are sore and of course all I can think of is mets to the ribs. Had a chest x ray Monday and am waiting for the results, I also have a low white blood count since rads and am wonderiing if that is a long term side effect for some of us. Had to cancel my reconstruction because too low to fight possible infections. My onc said she has had people have this problem for years and does'n seem too concerned.
This trip is hard on relationships. Husbands either get it or seem totally unsympathetic. Mine was like that for awhile. I have never felt so unloved in my life. And then they tell us that is not good for our healing. Fortunately things got better between us. I hope that may be the case fror you.
Cancer diagnosis seems to be a challeng for everyone. Too bad your hubby couldn't walk in your shoes for a week. Boy, would that be an eye opener for him!! Same goes for the Doc's.
Hang in there and know we are here. Hope today is a little brighter..even a degree helps!
MJ -
Tracy:
I finished radiation in December, 2003. I had terrible "episodes" of pain in my left rib (cancer side) which began right after my third radiation. I had such pain that I ended up in the ER - being tested for heart attack etc. etc. I had about 4 of these "episodes" not all as bad as the first but very painful neverthelesss. Fast forward to today - 4yr and 3 months out of treatment. Things are much much better believe me BUT I still have a sore rib from time to time and like Shirlann can barely sleep on that side. (I sometimes get stubborn and try it for about 15 or 20 minutes but then return to my back or right side positions). Like you, my radiation onc was emphatic that it was NOT from the radiation but my medical onc said it definitely could be. Just know you are not alone and that it does get better!!!!
God bless,
PAT -
This topic is so timely for me. I finished rads around the first of the year and had no problem either during or followng treatment - until about 3 months ago. I started having rib pain and then muscle spasms that felt like a charlie horse. I had my first post-treatment mammo and ultrasound which are normal, but the radiologist recommended a clinical assessment of the rib pain. Called my surgeon who referred me to my radiation oncologist. I have been fretting for 3 months now that I may have bone mets but am hoping it is 'just' rad side effects. I have my appointment on Tuesday and I have a lot of faith in my rad onc. Onto the next chapter in this never ending saga...
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