Upper back/shoulder blade pain / Chest CT & CT angiogram
Last year, I went through TC chemo and then 30 doses of full chest, armpit radiation. During radiation, I developed a weird feeling in my back, directly behind my affected breast. It's near the bottom if my scalpula. If I squeeze my shoulder blades, there's discomfort in that area.
During that time, I had a ct angiogram with contrast and 2 chest CT scans. My oncologist feels like that pain is from surgery & radiation. (I had a full pet/ct 3 months prior which was clear.)
The issue is, I still have this feeling, a full year later. Sometimes it goes away but right now, it's pretty flared up. If I sit back against pillows or lay on my back, it gets flared up.
I have to sleep on my side, hugging a pillow in order to not feel the pain.
Had anyone else had this and it not be mets? Can the ct scan see my spine and shoulder blade? I have constant anxiety about this. (I will say, I had a lumpectomy and the area of my back, directly behind my breast had zingers. I mentioned it and they said that's odd. We'll now, that's the area with the pain. I had a massage and she mentioned I have a knot below me scalpula but the massage didn't help. If anything, it made it worse for a week or 2 afterwards. )
If I had to describe the pain, it would be hard to explain. Theres sometimes tenderness when i squeeze my shoulder blades together. Otherwise, it almost feels like a pulled tendon/achy feeling in that spot. Sometimes, even wearing a bra bothers that area. Other times, I have been itchy there.
I will be seeing my oncologist next week and we will be talking about thus as well as PT and lymphatic massage referral.
Comments
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Hello
I actually joined the forum to reply to you
I am having exactly the same issue right behind where the tumor was. I have an itch in shoulder blade permanantly. I am also a year out of treatment. I say its pain but really its an intense itch i cant scratch.
I saw an osteopath who said i have some kind of dry scapula or something (sorry wasnt massively listenin) but I fluctuate between freaking out and thinking its sort of side effect from radio.
i know i should report it but a relief to see someone else having the exact same
Thanks
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It's quite possible to have a disc problem in your back that's impinging on a nerve. I have several bad discs and have pains all through my back on both sides. The unnatural position of radiation treatments can cause it, or exacerbate existing disc issues.
And yes, CTs can see your spine and everything else in good detail. Ask your primary doctor to look at your scans and, if necessary, get a referral to an orthopedic or neuro doctor.
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