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Molly001's avatar
Molly001
Member
8 years ago

Pain in collar bone with radiotherapy

I've had a bit of a niggle in the shoulder and collar bone since starting radiotherapy. I'm almost 5 wks in to 6 wks treatment. Radio oncologist says its not a normal side effect of treatment and put it down to positioning in the machine or unrelated. This morning, however, I woke up with intense radiating pain under the collar bone with some lesser pain in the breastbone and ribs. It has settled a bit with nurofen but still very painful. I spent the morning between xray, radio oncologist and medical oncologist and with no answers to what might be causing the pain. The docs have agreed it's most likely muscular. Has anyone had anything like this? Would live to know what it is and how to relieve it. I can't put heat etc on it as its directly above my treatment area, which is already hot and red.

3 Replies

  • Molly001's avatar
    Molly001
    Member
    8 years ago
    Thanks @Unicornkisses I think there may be a nerve element to it judging by the intensity of the pain at times. @Zoffiel I'm relieved to hear it's not just me! I hate having unusual symptoms. I get very anxious if I don't know what's going on. Hopefully it will subside on its own in time.
  • Zoffiel's avatar
    Zoffiel
    Member
    8 years ago
    I had a similar sensation, in the end I figured it was stress and me getting all scrunched up --mentally and physically. It didn't appear to be anything else that could be readily diagnosed.

    That whole area is a bundle of nerves, and I still have issues, even 10 weeks later, but it is worse when I am tired. It's been investigated as far as I'm willing to go, so I've had to write it off as just another thing to cope with in the aftermath.
  • Unicornkisses's avatar
    Unicornkisses
    Member
    8 years ago
    @Molly001, I have the side effects handout from my Radiation Oncologist that I got today. I haven't started yet so haven't side effects, but listed as possible for breast radiation treatment is Bone - pain, necrosis, fracture, ulceration, joint damage.
    My Rad Onc said that it is rare, less than 1%
    But I guess someone has to be the 1% don't they.
    There are also nerves in those areas, one that runs down the collarbone to the arm.

    I would be inclined to use ice rather than heat for muscular pain, my physio suggested rice in a couple of ziplock bags kept in the freezer for muscular pain. It might be worth a try over the top of a t shirt or something to protect the skin.

    Good luck with finding something, nothing worse than unresolved pain that has no answers.