I have IBC

WendyA,

I had localised advanced IDC & DCIS (lots of it - 14.5cms in total) not IBC but I was interested to read about your rib inflammation which I suffer from terribly. 

Did you have your rib pain before you were diagnosed with IBC or did your chemo make it flare up?

After my mastectomy, I found I had a lumpy cartilidge in between my ribs which aches (Costochondritis).  I asked my surgeon and he said it was probably there forever and not to worry (I did break my collar bone on that side when I was 5yrs old). But worry I do as it is under the area where my multifocal tumours were situated. An ultrasound showed it as being raised under the skin (my mastectomy has left me with just skin over ribs).

Now after 18mths of ACT & herceptin & radiotherapy, it just burns and aches most of the time. I do have a strenuous job - gardening & mowing which involves a fair bit of heavy lifting. Wearing a prothesis in my bra to match my DD size other breast just causes more pain.

I also have peripheral neuropathy in my hands and feet from the Taxol which is there always & isn't getting any better. My only option for reconstruction is TRAM flap which would cut through my stomach muscles which would end my career with the risk of hernia too high.  Add to that  early menopause symptoms since April 2009 (hot flushes, confusion, misery, can't sleep) from Tamoxifen and I feel like my body is slowly getting harder to operate without painkillers.

Oh to be strong and fit again ...