recommendation
I am hoping that I can ask about this, but please delete if not. I am 18 months post treatment for hormone positive breast cancer stage 1. I had a lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy which finished in November 2019. I am no longer under the care of the radio-oncologist and see the surgeon six monthly. I am on femera from which I suffer a range of side-effects. Over the last few months I have been having increasing neck and shoulder pain on the side of the cancer. My physio, who I have consulted, is a sports physio and has very little experience in breast cancer related things, so I was wondering if anyone has come across a physio in Perth who has specific expertise in breast cancer? I tried to contact my breast care nurse who I only had minor contact with way back when, but no answer. Any assistance would be helpful Thanks
Post Mastectomy Pain
Hi I had her2 negative in left breast in 2019. I had chemo, lumpectomy and sentinel node removal, radiotherapy and Herceptin. Got the all clear then in November this year they found cancer in situ in what remained of left breast so I had a double mastectomy and some nodes removed on 4th Dec. The scars go from under my arms to the centre. I look like someone’s tried to saw me in half! The actual scar and skin just around it is numb. The pain I have is like a band around that area. It’s like a tightness and burning. Stretching seems to relieve it. I’m 5 weeks post op now and was told it would be ok in 4 to 6 weeks after op. I just want to know if others had this pain and how long it lasted. It’s not bad enough for Panadol but if I do take Panadol it doesn’t work.
Treatment and it's impact on Rheumatiod/Osteo Arthritis
I can't be the only person on horomone treatment (Letrozole) and suffering from increased symptoms of Rheumatiod/Osteo Arthritis. I would love to know how others have managed their symptoms. For me the symptoms came back when I was undergoing radiotherapy, and never really subsided when I was allowed to take my medication for RA again. I had to start the Letrozole before my symptoms had subsided. I'm now on an increased dosage of Methotrexate and Pyralin but still the symptoms haven't subsided. Before I had radiotherapy, my RA was totally under control. It was never as bad as I have it now. I'm taking fish oil, magnesium, vitamin c, D, Calcium, and anti-inflammatories as well as panadol osteo. I'm also taking a liquid immunity booster supplement. What else can I do? I can't take any more prednisilone because that's probably what caused me to have a hip replacement last year (the bones had completely died). I know the treatment means that the healing process takes longer but I've also had a crook back (initially a bulged disc, then a pulled muscle) for 3 months now - standing or walking for more than a few minutes is painful and hence I've had to stop teaching. Also recovering from a broken ankle too (that took ages to heal too - the wound itself weeped for 5 months) and going to rehab for hydrotherapy and physiotherapy. Yep - hormone treatment is not for the faint-hearted. Does anyone have any other ideas on how to manage the pain?upper back and neck pain
Hi, I had a mastectomy 5 weeks ago folllowed by axial clearance 2 weeks ago. I have had one lot of chemo. The last 4 nights I have been unable to sleep because of this ache next to my shoulder blade on the mastectomy side. The pain extends up my lumbar muscles to my neck. Panadol gives me 4 hours, as soon as it wears off I have to get up and wait for the new lot to kick in before I lie down. I thought it would just pass but it isn't and its the straw breaking the camels back today. Its ok if Im walking about, just cannot lie down. I do my exercises religiously but my quarter is very "tight". Any tips? Was going to see physio today but thought I should tap into this brain too.
Who’s heard of Kinetic Physiology to control pain?
I think we can all relate to ‘Gary’s’ story .... our pain levels not necessarily being 'believed' or told to 'put up with it.' https://kineticmedicine.com.au/kinetic-medicine-blog/2020/2/1/garys-story I have not tried this - but if you have - let us know how you go. (I am currently not in that much pain, due to my oils!)
Cramps 😩😩
Hi ladies. Well l have come through my surgery well. The pain was actually minimal and l am down to only one drain left. But the most difficult thing has been aching legs. Actually only my right leg and last night the cramps were horrible. I have never had such bad cramps. They were on my thigh and when l tried to stretch it would cramp in my calf. Has anyone else had this or have any suggestions. Fancy having major surgery and then having cramps bring me to tears.Trigger Finger/Thumb exercises
I've found a Youtube presentation that explains how Trigger Finger/Thumb occurs & some rubbing & exercises that may help it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0FfMzemLnU The info from the 2min 20sec mark is more about locating the nodule at the base of the thumb/finger that is restricting the tendon from working smoothly - and how deep tissue massage may help to help break down the scar tissue. This is very similar to what my husband has done in the past when he gets a running injury - he will give deep massage to the muscle, to 'free it up'. I found that I have quite a BIG nodule at the base of my left thumb - it is much smaller on my right thumb. I started the rubbing of the nodule quite aggressively yesterday & I am surprised to say that it already feels 'freer' today! I still can't bend the thumb tho the pain is less (the magic oil may also be helping here too!) - so I am stretching it & forcing it to bend as well, to try & free it up more. Good luck - it is definitely worth a try!
Neck, shoulder and back pain due to imbalance after single breast mastectomy
I would like to hear from anyone who is suffering from the above. I had my surgery in 2004 but over the past 3+ years I have endured excruciating pain, and undergone every medical test, physio plan etc known and the overwhelming advice is that my problem is the imbalance. Apparently the scapula is overworking on the L side (mastectomy side) and twists the spine.. hence all my woes. The L breast weighed 1.5kgs (as per the pathology report) I am a D cup and it seems common sense to me that there is no way we can balance that up with either an external prosthesis which weighs around 350 gms, and I do not want an implant for the left side and a reduction for the right. I am seeing a surgeon in a few weeks regarding having the remaining breast removed... and have heard that many suffer.... please let me know as I feel this should be highlighted for those affected. It may be that a great number are suffering in silence, or putting it down to "ageing changes" ! Take care everyone, and thanks- Mandy
Muscle soreness after exercise
Hi everyone Getting back into exercise or starting any sort of exercise for the first time after a breast cancer diagnosis can be challenging. Although the benefits to exercise are plentiful and very worthwhile, there can be some down sides, one of which can be muscle soreness. Exercise induced muscle pain is very common, all types of exercise can cause muscle pain especially if you haven’t done that particular type of exercise for a while. If the pain is severe and ongoing (more than 3-5 days), you may have pulled a muscle or tendon or even torn a ligament. In this situation, you’ll need to rest the affected body part as well as talk to a doctor or physiotherapist. Medical professionals are best suited to assess the severity of an injury and suggest the most appropriate form of treatment. The muscle pain may also be a side effect of your treatment, the following breast cancer treatments may cause muscle pain: chemotherapy: Abraxane (chemical name: albumin-bound or nab-paclitaxel) Ixempra (chemical name: ixabepilone) Taxotere (chemical name: docetaxel) vincristine (brand names: Oncovin, Vincasar PES, Vincrex) radiation therapy hormonal therapy: Arimidex (chemical name: anastrozole) Aromasin (chemical name: exemestane) Evista (chemical name: raloxifene) Fareston (chemical name: toremifene) Faslodex (chemical name: fulvestrant) Femara (chemical name: letrozole) tamoxifen targeted therapy: Herceptin (chemical name: trastuzumab) Kadcyla (chemical name: T-DM1 or ado-trastuzumab emtansine) Bisphosphonates, medicines that are used to protect bones during breast cancer treatment, also may cause muscle pain and stiffness. Here are some things that may help ease your muscle pain: Use warm compresses to help ease discomfort in a specific area. Take warm baths to soothe all-over muscle pain. Consider massage or acupuncture to relieve muscle aches. Talk to your doctor about muscle relaxants to that may help ease your muscle pain. Try to do strengthening and flexibility exercises. Yoga can help stretch and strengthen muscles. Make sure the exercise is at a mild to moderate level so you don’t make the muscle pain worse. Keep a pain diary that records the severity of the pain, when and where the pain happens, and any pain medications you take. Write down as many details as you can. This will help your doctor find the best treatment for you. It may be best to seek a physiotherapist, exercise physiologist or speak with your GP if the pain persists. Your GP can set up a GP management plan or team care arrangement that can give you up to five allied health visits with Medicare rebate.
Osteo- Arthritis and other chronic conditions post treatment
HI, Just a quick question. In December last year, I was diagnosed with severe osteo-arthritis in several points of my body. I am discovering lots of people have this condition and I am learning how to manage it but they all have one or two points in the body that are effected whereas I have 8-9! I am wondering if the severity is as a result of my chemotherapy or something totally separate? Has anyone else experienced something similar or am I barking up the wrong tree?, barking mad? or just barking :)