Topic: Radiation after lumpectomy with pain alomost 2 yrs later

Viorsong, hello!

Do you have a lymphedema therapist yet for your hand? S/he would be the one to see for a diagnosis of breast lymphedema (it's called truncal lymphedema). If you don't have a therapist, or the one you have is not very knowledgeable, here's information on how to find a fully-qualified one near you:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

Lymphedema is staged, like breast cancer is, so if your mild (Stage I) hand lymphedema is not treated it will progress. That doesn't necessarily mean more swelling, but the development of fibrosis in the tissues inside, which can lead to further lymph blockage or even strength or range-of-motion problems, as well as skin changes and a high risk of infection. Doctors are not much concerned about this sort of thing, unfortunately, so getting a referral can sometimes be a matter of insisting.

Here's a page on truncal (breast or chest, or even back or side) lymphedema:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/breast_chest_trunckal_lymphedema.htm

Hope some of this helps. I just don't think we should have to struggle alone with these things.

Be well!
Binney

 i too had a lumpectomy and 33 rads. has anyone else had pain that shoots in the chest area. or the arm.

rasquel -

The pain you're describing is nerve pain, no doubt from scar tissue build up either from the surgery or radiation therapy.

Not trying to freak anyone out but I still have pain in my breast and it has been 8 years.  It's not constant, but I do have it.  I also have severe problems with muscle spasms to the chest wall - again, sometimes it is almost constant and other times it doesn't bother me.  I also ended up with a keloid on the underside of my breast from the radiation which keep growing - it is also very uncomfortable.  I basically just live with it and count my lucky stars that I am cancer free and don't have bigger fish to fry.

I forgot to mention in my earlier post, that my oncologist had told me that she has many patients that are 10-15 years post lumpectomy and rads and still have ongoing pain in the scar,breast and arm pit areas.  

I am going to a P.T and she had "broken up" the scar tissue.  It has helped tremendously.

You need a referral from your Dr. but it is definitely worth a try.

I am happy and sad to see the responses in here. I'm in your group with lump, rads 33x and the part that really bugged me the most was the 'boost'.  What? Super radiate the specific site? That made my skin sooo sensitive. The scar kept getting firmer and firmer and last month I had a mammogram that showed a cyst!!!  It was pretty big too. doc blew it off, Oh, it's from the radiation. But it hurt and I complained and she needled it and drew off milky white fatty stuff. But it still HURTS. Specially if I bump into something (brilliant), or try to carry too many things. Even the shower water is uncomfortable.

Not to mention the trauma to my thyroid gland and the worst of all the bones and disks in my spine are deteriorating rapidly and I can't seem to find a doc who will look at the whole me. They all want to concentrate on one site. "What hurts the MOST today?". Well, I'm here for my entire back. Oh, let's look at the lumbar. . . .  NO. Lets' look at the whole thing!!!! PLEASE. I can't keep paying co-pays for you to diagnose three or four times. FIND IT. FIX IT. But they don't and I'm in pain every day and looks like it's gonna be that way for a while.

Apologies for the rant. I just feel that that fateful random mammo that found DCIS, June 2007 has blown up my life. BLEW IT UP!!! I had a job I loved, active, dancing, gardening, reading, shopping, cooking. It was full and fun. Now, I'm disabled, look like I've aged another 20 years which SUX. And my job is gone, the garden is a disaster, the poor house is neglected. The dog died. I dance no more. 

~Connie