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
Hi strangers
Hi ladies long time no speak, I hope you are all well and finding some happiness in one form or another. i have just read some of my own posts from last year, omg things have sure changed since 2017. it was my second year july 4th don't know where the time has gone, my doctor was very happy with me and I disscused the pain I still had constant 24/7 . Not a problem he said we can is that so I went on Endone now I'm on Pregabalin which seems to be helping it blocks the pain. i have stopped lazer and I have a normal massage which I think has helped, still get this cramp grabbing pain that comes across my breast that comes from under my arm pit, sorry to much crap lol. it gas taken a while but I think things are getting better so keep going things will get better over time chow for now xox
Struggling
Hi ladies, away with my family spending some quality time but last 24 hours been so emotional and stressed, was diagnosed with TNBC early Dec, having 4 rounds of chemo, 16 rounds of taxol and then surgery - unsure at this stage what surgery as having genetic testing in a couple of weeks to see if I am a carrier for bracca 1/2. I had my first chemo 31st Dec, all went ok and other than first day where I had severe nausea that night the next 5 days I was just really exhausted - going into my 2nd post treatment i seem to be going ok. The thing is, the last 24 hours there is a burning pain in my tight breast and it’s sore and right arm aches - I had a needle biopsy the day before my chemo as ct showed a lesion in breast node so it is just over a week ago now and the side of my breast got really bruised and where they stuck the anaesthetic to numb the area still feels tingly and swollen, my husband says when he was looking at the ultrasound and needle was going in she was really pushing hard to grab the samples and they stuck 3 needles in to get enough, results came back fine and was benign so was a relief but I am stressing as it’s really sore still- has anyone had similar experiences with biopsies as all I can think is that this terrible diesels has spread even though my Scans mid Dec were clear. also I wonder if chemo is working and I know I am being stupid as I have only had 1 session and everyone is different but reading the side affects like hair falling out before 2nd cycle ( I am having a few strands come out only, more like malting but not much) nails going black, mine are fine at the moment, it’s not like I want these things but physiologically I feel if these things start to happen chemo is working - it’s such a mind f**k. sorry for the long winded post but just needed to release xx
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.
Try this app
I've been using an app called "Insight" for about 2 years now. It's free and available on iTunes and Google Play/android. It's a meditation/relaxation app. It has thousands of recordings covering a wide range of areas. It has new ones added every day. There are topics like sleep, stress, anxiety, relax, pain, mindfulness, motivation and spirituality. There are music only recordings, nature sounds and chanting. I have found the Yoga Nidra for sleep really helpful. There are also podcast type discussions. The recordings can be anywhere from 1 minute awareness of breath to 90 minutes of deep sleep meditation. Just a suggestion. You may find it useful or at least something new to listen to as a distraction.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!