Topic: Question about pain in rib area

Don't panic, Sally. It sounds exactly like something I had (twice) called Mondor's Disease. It's a superficial thrombosis, almost like the cording that some women (including me) get after lymph node removal. Cording tends to run down the arm. Mondor's goes from the breast down toward the abdomen. Mine went almost as far as the waist and I could see the 'cord' clearly in the mirror. The first time it appeared was over a year after I'd had lumpectomy/radiation to my right breast, so at first I freaked out. Then I did a big search on the Internet and even found a picture of it. It lasted about 2-3 months, during which time it very gradually disappeared. Later, I told my PCP about it and she said it sounded as if I'd made the correct diagnosis.

The second time it occurred was after my bilateral mastectomy, again on the right side. This time it didn't last as long. My PT confirmed that it was Mondor's. As with cording, I found that gently pressing along the 'stringy thingy', though it hurt when I did it, actually relieved the pain and probably helped it resolve more quickly. Mine didn't hurt constantly, but caused a sharp, searing kind of pain when I did things like raising my arm--any kind of stretching motion.

I hope this is helpful and I hope it's what you have--since it's both benign and will go away! You can find lots of info online if you Google 'Mondor's Disease.' BTW, it's apparently very common among women who have breast augmentation--any kind of surgery around the breast area puts you at risk.

Barbara

SLH/Sally-- 

Yeah, well, that's easy for HIM to say.

I have yet to meet a doctor who very clearly lays out two lists for me:

1) These are the things you need to worry about.  If these happen, be sure to call me right away.

2) These are the things you DO NOT need to worry about.  If these happen, don't worry--they are trivial and of no consequence.  Please do not bother me about these things.

I have not developed Mondor's, but I do have the "cording" in my armpit (mast/SNB on Feb. 5 of this year).  One "cord" appeared about 2 wks ago, and the other has arisen since then.  They both hurt like the dickens--much like a recent bruise.  Stretching exercises also hurt because of them, but once I've sloooooowly stretched them out, they feel lots better.

I don't know how you relieve the pain and tension from the ones that go down your ribcage toward your belly, though.  How does that work?

otter 

SLH/sally,

I wish I could help you with the "what next???" feeling. I'm not there yet, since I don't yet know if I will be getting chemo.

For some reason, and with some technique I don't understand, I've been able to get on with my life...at least in the interim and to a reasonable degree.  My dh would not agree--he wants us to go back to how things "used to be"; but I at least need to wait until the chemo issue is resolved.

On Monday when I was feeling so bad about my Oncotype mess-up, I called a woman I used to work with.  What I wanted was advice about picking a new oncologist.  My former colleague has been battling Stage IV BC, with bone mets, intractable pain, anemia, the whole deal; but you wouldn't know it from talking to her.

Even though BC has totally changed her life, she conveys such a bright, good-as-new outlook on things that she could not help but infect me with optimism.  She refuses to let it get her down.  She's not a pollyanna; there isn't any false optimism there.  It's just that there are certain things she enjoys in her life, and things she thinks are important; and she has decided to let those things rule her days.  I think she copes with her BC by investing herself completely in those other important things.

I am, and always will be, a "worry-wart."  I sure hope that once the chemo question is resolved, I can get on with my life and not be concerned about every ache or pain.  I guess if you have done all you can do, maybe a small case of "denial" would be a good thing.

Hugs...

otter 

I had a lumpectomy last Nov.  I now have pain under my right rib.  They say I have a gall stone and I am having my gall bladder removed Monday.  I feel like I am falling apart.  It is continuous pain and often through my back.  I really do not want to have surgery again.

S