After Radiation
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Lawgirl, you are my new best friend. The scariest thing for me is for the cancer to spread. It's always on my mind with every new ache and pain. I don't think that will ever change.
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I met a lady that had hip pain during her chemo also, then after chemo she started taking AI's, the pain isn't in her hips now, she says it's moved down to her knees.
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beacher4209 - I had MX starting 5/10, then rads, I'm 9 1/2 months out from rads now and still forming adhesions. My RO and CLT both said it continues to form new scar tissue for at least a year. Though I hadn't really planned on recon, I went to see a PS, said that if I wanted recon I would need to wait until I was out at least 1 year from rads, then I would need to have a TRAM, he wouldn't be able to match my other breast so I would have to have it reduced and lifted to match my new breast. He said I wasn't a very good candidate, but if I really wanted it I would have to go to Seattle or SF for the surgery as there are no surgeons in Oregon that do it right now, and it would take 4-5 surgery's, Needless to say, I'm opting for the uni-boob and a prosthesis. I'd actually like to have the other breast reduced so that I wouldn't need a bra at all.
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I'm 91/2 months out from my last rad. My rib and clavicle still feel like they are bruised. Everyone seems unconcerned about it. It started during radiation, but I would have thought it would have gotten better, but it hasn't. Does anyone else have this?
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Linda- I had sore ribs....went to physio in June and to a massage therapise who specializes in lymphodema and draining the lymphs...have been doing trigger point massage as well....really helps...and paddling with a dragon boat gorup so that I am stretching that arm ....it will get better.
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Illinoisnative-I started having hip pain a couple months out of rads. It started right before i went to see the pain Dr. he said it was from rads. He explained to me that when they do rads on our breast that we have bones behind there that they cannot miss. When the bones are radiated it changes the moleculare structure of the bones marrow which travels throughout our bodies. He said in some people nothing every happens but in others it causes osteoarthritis in other places in our bodies. Also some people will develop osteoporosis. I have arthritis in my hip and arthritis does not run in either side of my family. I take Celebrex 200mg twice a day. That along with the amitryptiline also helps my breast pain. It boggles my mind that all these other specialist have to explain to me what rads has actually done to my body.
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Hi, all, I have to chime in here, it has been a while, I have been so busy with work, but I have to say, I have THE feeling along the ribs, under my arm, as if someone socked me. Feels like a bruise. I had the bruise feeling on my back last week, that went away. So glad to hear that this might be normal. A new normal
I am just getting used to having fantom pains, they may rear up anywhere, anytime. Oh, boy, this might never stop
Best to all, I pray for all of you every night
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Granny..................yes your right....................we have to do our own research, and also mention any symptoms we have after radiation..............LE is part of it...................the Dr's. most of the time haveen't a clue about what is going on........................on here you ask "hey I'm having this problem", "is anyone else", and low and behold you find scads of ladies with the same problem..
When I ask, and find out...........I tell my Dr's..............."don't tell me this isn't part of the Rads, or whatever it is even if it is the Meds"..........................I say.............I can tell you 15 women who have the same thing I have......................"now your gonna tell me that is a coincidence"......then I tell him "bullshit"........................Like I said before...................they put their pants on one leg at a time too..........................I have every right to tell him what I know..........most of mine love the info..............yet other women tell me there Dr's tell them "get off that website", or "stay off the computer..................again I say "bullshit"./
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Yes, stage1, it does feel like a bruise...it's under my arm and under my ribcage. And it is the new normal, sadly. But the twinges in my hips, well, let's just say everything you read about hip pain in regards to breast cancer comes up as metastatic cancer.
So I'm actually thrilled to read Sherry's explanation about it (thanks, Sherry!)...as bad as that is. I'm angry that none of this was explained to me because I've been working myself up into a panic thinking my cancer had spread.
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Illinoisnative-You should go have a xray done just to be sure. I forgot to say that my Dr did send me for one just to rule out metastatic cancer. But I have to say the Celebrex has worked wonders on me.
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Hi all. My MO told me chemo can do a number on your bones too - and calcium and vitamin D are essential for bone health now. I also have fibromyalgia, which causes pain in certain areas, like elbows, clavicle, hips, shoulders, and I always feel bruised from that. I think radiation accentuated the condition for sure.....my hip hurt a lot for about three months after chemo then thankfully the pain subsided.
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, with a little less pain, and a lot of laughter!
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Hi ladies,
I'm still having nerve pain and am taking neurontin still but no hip pain yet... I'm 2 months post rads...
I haven't been on this week as I have been busy learning a new computer job... Son's boss hired me for 2 weeks to see if I could fill in for the gal on vacation... I am doing a better job than the gal on vacation... My first week learning I did 4 releases an hour compared to her 1.3 an hour... They are already talking about hiring me full time.. The only killer about this job is it starts at 4am pacific time... I've made it this week, one more week for this fill-in job.. Going to be traveling home after lunch I think - 3.5 hours hopefully the new "coding" music that the son downloaded for me (to keep me awake) will work for the drive too
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gmafoley thats great about the new job I hope the full time position comes through for you
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gmafoley - Hope you get the position full time and maybe the hours can be adjusted to you don't have to start so early.
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Yes..I too was told to be careful what I read on the internet....ok so what am I ....stupid? I know a garbage site from one put out by knowledgable people...and if it matches what I am readin gin the multitude of books on my bookshelf...and it brings me relief and a sense of some kind of control to be well informed...well then I say 'read the websites!'
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I went for my 6-wk rad check-up. My RO agreed my cough was probably due to the section of my lung that got radiated - said "we'll keep an eye on it", said it was probably the radiation that damaged my nerves by my shoulder joint - since it's not a constant pain, I'm not too worried about it but it can be annoying at times. He's happy with the "feel" of my radiated boob - told DH that's probably the last time I'll ever hear that comment.... lololololol, I need to get a mammo of my boob next week & then both boobs in 3 or 6 months - can't remember. I see my oncologist next week. Not looking forward to telling her I really don't want to do 5-yr of pills & can't she just say I'm close enough to 70 to skip it???? I'm hoping she doesn't talk me into it - hate the possible side-effects. It's been almost 7-months since dx & I'm just starting to feel a little bit sane.... just a little....
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JO: Nope I have to be up before the stock market opens - so being I live in the NW, I need to be up that early.
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GmaFoley - Great news on the job. Hope it turns into a full-time gig. Sounds like maybe you could do this from home? That time difference could work to your advantage at the end of the day.
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gmafoley - Okay! I did not realize you worked with the stock markets. Like GabbyCal said - maybe it could work to your advantage at the end of the day.0
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Mostlymom----ask your onco.what the % would be for you to take the meds.My % was 2% over a 5yr.period.for that 2% i said no to the meds.at the ripe old age of 70 I will take my chances.I exercise more,changed my diet,take more suplements and leave it up to GOD.I will not giv up my QOL for 2%.I hope that helps you...in the final analysis the decision is YOURS....Do what you are comfortable with.I wish you luck.God bless.
Huggggggggs to all my sistas.today my GS is havin his engagement party.it was cancelled due to the hurricane we had.Getting ready to put my dancin shoes on.
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mostlymom- i hear you loud and clear. i have an oncologist appointment on the 4th of october and his nurse said ' so we can get you started on your meds now that you are post menopausal'....all i could think of was ' to PoSSIBLY start e on my meds...' we are SOOOO having the side affects chat and I want the numbers. more medication...not looking forward to it. like you, I am just starting to feel sane now...9 months post rads.
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Gabby and Jo, I trained up at my son's place last week . This next week is from home and I will be working in my jammies
and slippers... I am basically putting out press releases for the franchise company - trying to get them out before anyone else does... hense the 3 am pacific time... Hubby is willing to work things out so we can move our bedtime earlier and I can take a nap during the day.. I need prayer Monday though... It has been 3 weeks off my arimidex and I don't have a headache anymore... Monday I'm supposed to call the ONC and let him know this and he was supposed to prescribe me another AI... I am wondering if it is worth it... Then one of my senior friends told me she has BC after 40 years of being free of it... she didn't have any AIs to take back then and this is her 3rd time for recurrence... I just don't know...
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gmafoley - I've tried all three AI's and they've all caused the joint pain and stiffness, I'm currently taking aromasin. I have a couple of friends that have changed AI's and their pain issues have resolved. I have another friend that just quit taking them altogether because if the SE's, I think that she was the same stage as you are. So maybe ask the onc how much the effect your recurrence rate? I was stage IIIA so they make a pretty big difference for me, I'm trying to figure out how to manage the pain so that I can stay on them. Good luck. And congrats on the job.
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Hi everyone. Just wanted to let you all know, my mom was dx in 1998, she did 5 years tamoxiphen and 5 years armidex (spellings prob way off). She really didn't complain about many side effects, other than aching sometimes, but it in no way hindered her from traveling etc. She is very lucky.
On the flip side of understanding SE and starting to realize them from chemo and rads I have to tell you that when my surgeons PA told me I was triple negative, I already knew what that meant, no meds. I had already talked myself into knowing I would take meds for a while (I'm 42). When the TN news hit, I started to ball, in the exam room....my DH asked what was wrong and I told him I felt like the meds would have been a little "insurance policy" for a little more time.
I since have realized we don't have much control in any of any thing really in the grand scheme of it all, but I wanted you all to know someone who took the meds and was successful. It's such a personal choice and a tough one too. My mom is still with us today - 13 year survivor!
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Stage 1 and Illinois native:
Have the same pain like I've been hit especially under my arm, kind of along the rear of the underarm and now it seems to be radiating into my back. I have lots of tender points but cannot really pinpoint where the pain is coming from. I see my RO on Tuesday. Hope he can give me a decent explanation for it because I too also worry about every ache and pain now. It hurts to raise my arm as well. Breast exams only exascerbate the pain. the more I touch my breast and underarm, the more painful it becomes. I am almsot 4 months out from rads and frustrated. Any wise words out there for me?
Susan
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gmafoley - I tried two of the AIs - Arimidex and Femara and had to go off both. Mine was issues with nausea. Now taking Tamoxifen - started Jan 5th and all is well. Sending prayers that you are able to find something that is going to work for you.
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GmaFoley----today is Monday...just wondering how you made out.You have been on my mind.xoxoxo huggggggggggggggs K0
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You are all on my mind...praying that you are all doing well....that side effects of what we have been through are subsiding and disappearing....that we continue to get stronger and stronger each day..
Hugs to everyone!
P.S. Granny, thanks for posting on my thread! xoxo
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Tori--your thread is wonderful....spread the word!!!!!!!!!
Glad to see you on the boards giving all the sistas your wonderful input.
God bless and hugggggggggs to all....
BTW finally goin for the mammo on Wed.i swear im not gonna stress about this...NO IM NOT..I think today i betta sign of Kantalope.
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Hi Ladies.........................wanted to say hello........................in a little bit of a slump...........cooler weather.............no shore...................kids back to school................oh well...........life goes on...........right.................
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