I had a few times my stabbing type pains but have felt tenderness in my breast as well - this has only started 3 months after my radiotherapy finished (5 1/2 months post lumpectomy)
I think it’s possibly the radiotherapy but have to say I’m distracted and find the psychological aspect of this much more difficult than the physical - big hugs to all of you x
Hi, This is me one year later then you, nipple discomfort and pain to touch having recovered well then 8 months later experience this. Can you tell me what your breast nurse advised you after you rang her, as awaiting a reply from mine. Hope you are well are recovering from this.
I also recovered well and, to be honest, have always had some discomfort in my breast, even today I feel it
. I felt better on seeing my mammogram two years post-surgery because I saw my breast had quite a lot of metal clips and put the discomfort down to that. I have had two clear mammograms so far. It is always a worry but I put it all down to the metal clips.
I think we will always worry and that robs us of living and I don't let it. When I find myself full of 'what if' going through my mind I distract myself with a craft so that my focus is on that.
Hi Thrisa, Thank you for your quick response yes this makes sense to me speaking to someone who knows how your feeling makes a great difference, you push it to the back of your mind then when something changes you go into panic mode !!
I'm off for a walk with friends but don't like to discuss this with them but feel more reassured having found this like x
This site helped me so much when I was in an absolute state when first diagnosed.
I also don't share too much with friends because they always say 'stay positive' when all I want to do is to pour my dark moments out, work through it and come out the other side. Denying those feelings will make them fester and grow. You need to let your feelings out. I'm always here for anybody and there are other lovely ladies, even as far back as when I was a total mess still here, to get you through. those times
How grateful I am to stumble across this thread?!?!
I had my surgery in August 21 and finished my radiotherapy in October 21. Today and yesterday I've had the most severe stabbing pains where my scars are and around the side of my breast. I've been really worried about it because I couldn't understand why all of a sudden I'm getting this pain. I wondered if it was anything to do with some exercising I'd recently tried to do (and failed miserably as im suffering terribly from peripheral neuropathy!) but having read the thread about nerve endings repairing I'm wondering if that's the same for me as it's within the same timeframe that everybody else has encountered. I'll give it a few days and then I'll contact the breast clinic nurse if things don't improve.
It's hard to hang in there sometimes but we've got to remind ourselves we are all Warriors and will get through this
I am two years on and still have breast pain. I have read many scientific papers which find that many women will experience breast pain years after radiotherapy has finished. I accept that to be the case and check my breasts and, of course, at the moment still having the yearly mammogram. A persoal choice I have made is not to have unnecessary chemicals seeping into my body - perfume! I love perfume but have switched now to vegan perfumes with no nasties. Eden and the Essence Vault have amazing products.
We have been struck down with this breast cancer but, you are right, we are warriors and will fight by looking after our bodies and doing whatever it takes to stay healthy. If I can help others along their journey with their breast cancer that is a lovely bonus for me.
I just wanted to say thank you for being such a positive voice on here. Reading through this thread from the start, you have been consistently there with such a positive message and its so lovely and supportive to read.
I agree that talking to friends and even relatives can be challenging as the "keep positive" and "it wont be anything" chats wear thin, even though they are of course meant well.
I had a lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed in June 2022 with radiotherapy to September and I am now on Tamoxifen. My breast pain has just started and as you said that you have, I have a general soreness and tenderness in that breast. I honestly think we perhaps look for things more than we would having not had our diagnosis.
There is lots of very strong people on this chat and its a reassuring place to be.
Thank you so much for your very uplifting message.
I hope you are doing really well and recovering nicely. I think you are absolutely right that we look for things that we would not have pre-diagnosis. We become hyperaware - not such a bad thing. I hope the breast pain is manageable and you can still do your breast exercises - I do mine from time to time and I am three years on from you. Be prepared the breast pain can be there for years. During the pandemic, the Radiographer showed me my mammogram picture (the one-year mammogram and I was very anxious) there were quite a few metal clips in the breast. I think it is the clips that make the breast a bit tender.
I do hope you have a nice support group to go to. I have a really nice one and have found myself knitting the little cushions that go under the arm post-surgery. I make a wish for a speedy recovery on each one because I remember what a comfort that cushion was to me.
When I was in the depths of despair when I was first diagnosed so many kind people lifted my spirits and shared their stories.
Take care of yourself and thank you. for your kind words
Thank you Trisha. I was keen to ask about your breast exercises, as I wasn't given any so have done nothing at all. I do yoga but sometimes the downward dog position stretches the skin causing a bit of uncomfort. Any guidance on the exercises would be great.
