Happy New Year to all you lovely ladies. I had a mastectomy in April and am still having rib pain. This is 8mths after the op and was wondering if anyone else had this problem. There are a few specific points on the side of the mastectomy that are still very tender to touch almoost as if they are bruised. I had a recent bone scan which came back clear so hopefully that is not the problem?? Would love to know if anyone else has this problem and if it gets better ? Also I have had chemo and radiation too and still feel like my mastectomy side is very tight and uncomfortable - any tips - will it be like this indefinitely?? Thanks for listening and everything of the best for 2012. Debs x

Sorry to hear about your pan. I think there are a lot of "us" out there dealing with daily pain. I still have pain. I had a lumpectomy and axillairy clearance back in 2006 followed by radiation and Tamoxifen. Then in Dec 2010 I had a lumpectomy on the same side but deep up under my arm and around to my back to remove a lymp node that was full of tumour. I have then had extensive radiation and chemo. I have never had any "work done" on the scarring. But now I have started getting deep massage on the scarring whilst I have my lympathic drainage massage. I have only had one session and boy did it make a difference. I was to the point of checking out laser therapy on the scarring. Anyway I will keep giving the deep massage a go - fornightly. My surgeon said after 2 years "If you still have pain, sorry you will have it for life" What a cop out!!! My breast area is so tender I just hate having my regular mamagrams and ultrasounds as it hurts so much. Mind you the deep massage hurts but is so beneficial. Good luck. XLeonie

I will look into massage too, to keep lymph flowing freely as possible, and maybe helping with ongoing discomforts/ infections. I am due for yearly double mammogram and ultrasound too soon. There is a newer machine now, where one side of the paddle moves around the breast sort of, so less discomfort. I recently read something about complex regional pain syndrome. Do not give up though. Time is a great healer i think. http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/complex_regional_pain_syndrome?open All the best for 2012. Kathy.

Hiya Yes I too had the rib pain only when touched for years after chemo and had many scans that all came back clear. Mine has now subsided yet I still find it tender to touch many bones including my ribs 4 years on. It is just all part and parcel of what your body has been through and in time, things will return to normal again. Tanya

Rib pain | BCNA Online Network

nikki
Member
12 years ago
It is SO good to read all of this. I am 3 weeks post masectomy, and my ribs on that side are so tender to touch, and I somethimes get a sharp pain if I stretch out too much. (pian killes dont seem to do much). I was thinking I was being a wuss, but the more I hear of others experiences, the more I realise it is not going to magically go back to normall quickly. Thank you to everyone for sharing, I will be more gentle with myself in my healing :)
nikki
Member
12 years ago
It is SO good to read all of this. I am 3 weeks post masectomy, and my ribs on that side are so tender to touch, and I somethimes get a sharp pain if I stretch out too much. (pian killes dont seem to do much). I was thinking I was being a wuss, but the more I hear of others experiences, the more I realise it is not going to magically go back to normall quickly. Thank you to everyone for sharing, I will be more gentle with myself in my healing :)
Joy_K
Member
14 years ago
I also have weird feelings over the mastectomy site and very sore ribs when touched, think this is due to two bouts of radiation on that side - original series then another shorter series for skin mets. Have forced myself to sleep on that side, hard at first especially when turning over to the good side but everything gets better day by day. The one funny side effect is that sometimes I feel a pulse under the scar line, obviously an artery that has been repositioned during the surgery. Pulse can last from a few seconds up to an hour.

I have fortnightly lymphoedema drainage massage, an hour well spent as all the aches go away! Find out about this, you may have to go private with a physiotherapist as they don't have time for this service in my Public Hospital.With love

Joy K
pinkpeonie
Member
14 years ago
Oh my Chris you certainly have had your challenges!!

Thank you for replying to my post - I actually have an appointment at the lymphodema clinic in a couple of weeks so I wil ask them about what you suggested - sounds great.

So glad you have got some relief - its often one thing after another isnt it?

I really hope that everything goes well with the exchange next week !

That willl feel good getting that done Im sure!

I havent gone for reconstruction yet - still thinking about it - at least stage just not ready for any more ops !

Those are amazing stats from US that is such a significant change !!

I will definitely look into all you have suggested - thanks for taking the time to write back.

All the best for next week.

Debsx
pinkpeonie
Member
14 years ago
Hi Jill

Thank you for replying to my questions!

Glad to hear that things have improved for you - I guess it is all a matter of time.

Just not that patient some days.

Appreciate your suggestions and hope that you keep going from strength to strength.

Take care

Debsx
Chris
Member
14 years ago
Hi Debs, I haven't had radiotherapy, but I have had recent issues with a mastectomy that was done over 3 months ago. I had tissue expanders placed in this side, plus on the other side, which had been removed 9 months prior. Following the development of a massive haematoma and a trip back to theatre to have this sorted out at 3 weeks post op, I started to experience weird pains and sensations. Everything was hypersensitive, and the sensation I had was a tightening and the feeling of the implant being lifted. This went on for weeks, and even the plastic surgeon had trouble inflating that side due to the tightness. He had no great suggestions, but my physiothapist did. She suggested some laser treatment and the application of Kinesio tape following each session. The PS was ok with this. I had 4 sessions in the 2 weeks before Christmas, and the results are amasing. I had one more session today, and my exchange surgery is next Wednesday. The chest muscle that had been very tight and almost constantly cramping has relaxed and is softer. The tape allows for lymphatic drainage away from the problem area. The laser does no damage, but will break up the fibrous tissue, and promote the growth of collagen (spelling?). I now have no pain, and I was wondering if it might help you with your mastectomy and rib pain. It could be worth a conversation with your physio. Mine is provided as part of a Lymphodema program. My surgeon is delighted with the softness that has been achieved, and I'm more confident about surgery next week. Apparently they use this a lot in the USA, and they find that it reduces the contracture rate of implants for those who have had radiotherapy from 40% down to about 5%. I was thinking that my tightness might have been a contracture developing. Now it is soft and I'm less concerned. Hope you find a solution to your problem. Love Chris xx
Chris
Member
14 years ago
Hi Debs, I haven't had radiotherapy, but I have had recent issues with a mastectomy that was done over 3 months ago. I had tissue expanders placed in this side, plus on the other side, which had been removed 9 months prior. Following the development of a massive haematoma and a trip back to theatre to have this sorted out at 3 weeks post op, I started to experience weird pains and sensations. Everything was hypersensitive, and the sensation I had was a tightening and the feeling of the implant being lifted. This went on for weeks, and even the plastic surgeon had trouble inflating that side due to the tightness. He had no great suggestions, but my physiothapist did. She suggested some laser treatment and the application of Kinesio tape following each session. The PS was ok with this. I had 4 sessions in the 2 weeks before Christmas, and the results are amasing. I had one more session today, and my exchange surgery is next Wednesday. The chest muscle that had been very tight and almost constantly cramping has relaxed and is softer. The tape allows for lymphatic drainage away from the problem area. The laser does no damage, but will break up the fibrous tissue, and promote the growth of collagen (spelling?). I now have no pain, and I was wondering if it might help you with your mastectomy and rib pain. It could be worth a conversation with your physio. Mine is provided as part of a Lymphodema program. My surgeon is delighted with the softness that has been achieved, and I'm more confident about surgery next week. Apparently they use this a lot in the USA, and they find that it reduces the contracture rate of implants for those who have had radiotherapy from 40% down to about 5%. I was thinking that my tightness might have been a contracture developing. Now it is soft and I'm less concerned. Hope you find a solution to your problem. Love Chris xx
pinkpeonie
Member
14 years ago
Hi again tanya

you did make me smile reading this!!

Patience never was my strong point hehe !!

Thanks for your encouraging words - glad you have left the 90 year old behind!!!

I shall look forward to fitter days ahead.

Lovely chatting to you too !!

Debsx
jillden
Member
14 years ago
Hi Debs, I had mastectomy in October 2008, chemo and then radium which finished in June 2009. I could not sleep on my left side even after the radium burns had heeled. It hurt so much. Gradually over a period of about 18 months it has subsided and now I don't have an issue with sleeping on my left side. I blamed the radium on the bones. You said your mastectomy site feels tight. i have used Vaseline Dry Skin Conditioning lotion since i had the surgery as it was recommended to me in hospital. I used it twice daily for the first year and now just once daily. I don't use deodorant under that arm anymore as it makes the skin feel funny and I don't perspire under that arm anymore. I think they took that gland out! Hoping that I have been of some help to you.

Take care, Jill xx
pinkpeonie
Member
14 years ago
Hi Tanya

Thank you for your reply.

Sorry to hear your pain has lasted so long but also that your scans were clear.

I think mine sounds similar to yours - it only sore when touched ,

You are right about what the body has had to deal with - I am 42 and feel like an old woman. Aches and pains every where - just feel sad for my girls as I want to do so much with them but dont have the vooma I had before.

Hoping that time will move things on positivel - i still have another 5 months of herceptin to go - this road started in March last year and just feels like my life has been hijacked at times.

Anyway i am waffling on !

Take care and all the best for 2012.

Debsx