Rib pain..anyone else????

theresaw · 12-04-2007, 02:56 PM

Hi Sisters,
I had bc on the left side, had my breast removed,look at my signature. Anyway, lately I actually for quite a while my ribs hurt, more towards my back under my bra area, it hurts to the touch, first i thought it was due to surgery, but that was over a yr ago now, I don't see my onc until Feb. Do you think I should wait, I am scheduled for a ct scan then. Any advise or if anyone has had this same pain please let me know, I must admit i am afraid of reacurrance and am wondering if that could be it...
Love you all
theresaw

nitewind · 12-04-2007, 03:07 PM

How long have you been having the rib pain? Generally, the rule of thumb is if it lasts more than two weeks, you should contact your onc. That's what I would do, even if it's just for peace of mind.
Good luck and I'll keep you in my prayers.
Hugs
Susan

MJo · 12-04-2007, 03:08 PM

Many of us here have experienced rib pain during treatment and after. I would call the oncologist and at least let his nurse know about your pain. It will ease your mind and if the doctor is concerned he can schedule you for an earlier appointment. If you search for messages on this site with the words "rib pain" you will find a ton of them, so it's not uncommon.

theresaw · 12-04-2007, 03:40 PM

Thank you both I believe I will give my onc a call. I have been having the pain way longer than two weeks...more like 6months or so...

Sheila · 12-04-2007, 04:55 PM

Theresa
Many of us have had the rib pain...most recently Donna from Crystal Lake...I had it also, had a bone scan, which showed a "hot Spot" on the ribs, had a RIB xray, not chest, but rib..and it was confirmed that I had fractured ribs, as did Donna....chemo and radiation can weaken bones...get it checked, it is common but no need worrying.

Barbara2 · 12-04-2007, 07:38 PM

I've had rib pain off and on since finishing treatment. It is sore to the touch, too. I learned when having an "echo" (an ultrasound of the heart) that the next day I would have pain in the area where they rub when doing the echo. One time I asked the lady doing the test about it...she said it is not uncommon to feel sore for a day or two after the test.

From that, I realized that my ribs are always sensitive (front or back)...the more I touch them, the sorer they become, so I've learned to leave them alone.

At first I had bone scans done to check out the aches, but after time I began to realize that was normal for me.

Also, some medicines can make the muscles/bones ache...Arimidex can cause aches and pains, and Actonel or something similar for building up the bones can also cause back pain/bone and muscle pain. And possibly the chemo can have lasting effects of aches and pains, too.

Hope this relieves you, somewhat. You may want to have a bone scan so you know that what you are feeling is something you don't have to worry about.

sassy · 12-04-2007, 09:25 PM

Theresa,

I have had the rib pain since surgery. Mostly on the mast side, very sore to touch at times. The pain was worse sometimes more than others. I began having pain on the other side also--so went for a bone scan. It showed old fractures on both sides, which I could attribute to a fall I took earlier in the year.

As my onc told me, there is a lot to be said for peace of mind--so a scan might be in order.

Mary Jo · 12-05-2007, 05:07 AM

Good Morning Theresa,

I had a right breast mastectomy but has had left side rib (lower, into abdomin) since being on chemo/herceptin. I have had a left breast prophylactic mastectomy but the "discomfort" in that side started before that breast was removed. I have had it all checked out. Abdominal CT, colonoscopy and a PET/CT at one point and thankfully, there is nothing.

It has to be from the original right breast surgery and treatments. It's enough to drive you NUTTY, I know...............................but get it checked out for that Peace we need at those difficult times of wondering and worrying.

Praying the Lord will ease your stress and give you His assurance and peace as you wait ................ trusting in Him.

Love & Peace,

Mary Jo

DonnaD · 12-07-2007, 08:19 AM

Hi,
I am sorry I have not been able to respond to your post. My computer was down for almost a week.

I too have rib pain. Like Sheila said I went in for a bone scan after several months of pain. Several hot spots revealed fractured ribs. A CT then revealed 3 small nodules in the lungs. After many consultations with my oncologist, radiation oncologist and a thorasic surgeon they agreed that it was from radiation. By your bio you did not have radiation but chemo can also weaken bones.

It might be time to have it checked out. But remember one test sometimes leads to more tests. Peace of mind, what is that now once diagnosed.

Good luck to you. Let us know what you decide.

Donna

Chelee · 12-07-2007, 01:15 PM

Theresa, I was DX back on 12-05 and started having rib pain during chemo, and ever since then to the present date. I had a right side MRM and that side caused the most pain...but I did have it on both sides.

But I finished chemo in June of 06 and I've continued to have right side rib pain. This yr I've had a prophylactic mastectomy on the left side and I have some pain on that side now too. I've had my 6 month PET/CT scans during this *entire* time and nothing shows up. Now recently I talked to my onc because the *right* side rib pain has gotten worse & really concerns me. But my onc says she has heard this complaint from lots of women that have had mastectomies. So maybe it has something to do with all those muscles, tissue and such being cut? This is the first time she told me she hears this often. So I would *try* not to stress to much over this...I know I did for the longest time and so far nothing has been found. Mine hurts all the time and even worse if I touch it. Update us when you get your scan results. Hang in there.

Chelee