Pain in ribs after lumpectomy

Almost a year ago I had a lumpectomy in my right breast followed by radiotherapy and I now take tamoxifen. For the last few days the pain in my breast is awful, but is also radiating down my right side through my ribs, they feel really bruised. My whole breast aches and the pain goes through to my back. Has anyone else experienced this? I can't believe I still have so much pain a year on!! I don't like to contact my nurse as I know there are a lot more people in a much worse situation than I am. I'm due for my first follow up mammogram anytime now and I feel I'm desperate for that reassurance as every ache or pain is playing with my mind! xx

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  • Charlotteleanne 

    Hi Charlotte I too had a lumpectomy  in my right breast and all my lymph nodes removed from under my right arm, that was in June 2020, I had chemotherapy which ended December 14th 2020,radiotherapy which ended in March 2021. I too have been having pain in my breast and it goes through to my back and my ribs on that side. When I stretch ie...reach out to get something I get a kibf of dull pulling pain om my breast and ribs. I also found a lump on Christmas day night 2021,So I was recently seen at my hospital breast clinic  I waa refferd to see the consultant and was examined and had an ultrasound.  Thank goodness nothing sinister was found,but they did find a tiny cyst,which they said is nothing to worry about,they said  "there are probably loads of women walking around now with cysts in thier breasts,as its quite common and they probably don't even know that thry have them". Thry said " its best to just leave it " .The pains I am experiencing I was told is quite normal for the treatments I've had ,the chemotherapy and radiotherapy and surgery all change your breast tissue ,and you get scar tissue which can make the breasts feel like this. I was told not to worry ,that my bodys been through soo much  and it can take years to heal and some woman ,still get pain which is menopausal, even though I'm now 65,they said " I will still get this,as my breasts were  always quite  more painfull at certain times of the month. 

    Obvously  it's best if you do voice your concerns with your breast care nurse ,and get things checked out,but I'm.just reassuring you that it's quire normal for you to still get breast pain in your breast after all this time.i never knew this,this is something your not aware of,or told.

    To be honest the pulling type of pain in the ribs and under them   that I'm  getting ,and  the shooting pains on and off in my breast was my main concern as I seemed ok for quite a while after the operation  and after I'd healed but suddenly the pain I was getting seemed to be worse than after my operation. Which worried me.  

    Hope my reply helps to put your mind at ease a little bit  , do speak yo your breast care nurses ,that's whst they ate there for.

     

     

     

Reply
  • Charlotteleanne 

    Hi Charlotte I too had a lumpectomy  in my right breast and all my lymph nodes removed from under my right arm, that was in June 2020, I had chemotherapy which ended December 14th 2020,radiotherapy which ended in March 2021. I too have been having pain in my breast and it goes through to my back and my ribs on that side. When I stretch ie...reach out to get something I get a kibf of dull pulling pain om my breast and ribs. I also found a lump on Christmas day night 2021,So I was recently seen at my hospital breast clinic  I waa refferd to see the consultant and was examined and had an ultrasound.  Thank goodness nothing sinister was found,but they did find a tiny cyst,which they said is nothing to worry about,they said  "there are probably loads of women walking around now with cysts in thier breasts,as its quite common and they probably don't even know that thry have them". Thry said " its best to just leave it " .The pains I am experiencing I was told is quite normal for the treatments I've had ,the chemotherapy and radiotherapy and surgery all change your breast tissue ,and you get scar tissue which can make the breasts feel like this. I was told not to worry ,that my bodys been through soo much  and it can take years to heal and some woman ,still get pain which is menopausal, even though I'm now 65,they said " I will still get this,as my breasts were  always quite  more painfull at certain times of the month. 

    Obvously  it's best if you do voice your concerns with your breast care nurse ,and get things checked out,but I'm.just reassuring you that it's quire normal for you to still get breast pain in your breast after all this time.i never knew this,this is something your not aware of,or told.

    To be honest the pulling type of pain in the ribs and under them   that I'm  getting ,and  the shooting pains on and off in my breast was my main concern as I seemed ok for quite a while after the operation  and after I'd healed but suddenly the pain I was getting seemed to be worse than after my operation. Which worried me.  

    Hope my reply helps to put your mind at ease a little bit  , do speak yo your breast care nurses ,that's whst they ate there for.

     

     

     

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