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Breast pain/inflammation and swelling post radiation?
Breast Cancer | Last Active: 13 hours ago | Replies (19)Comment receiving replies
I had swelling and pain develop 8 weeks after radiation. I did have lymph edema as part of the swelling. I saw a breast cancer physical therapist who was awesome for an intense course of therapy for 3 months and then on and off for two years. I would really recommend physical therapy. In fact, I now tell all of my friends diagnosed with breast cancer to see a physical therapist before surgery/radiation so that they can measure your arms and evaluate function and give you exercises to help reduce pain and improve recovery. Physical therapy should see you back 6-8 weeks after radiation for re-evaluation and treatment plan if needed. My swelling improved significantly and is mostly gone now three years later. The skin is stiff and tough. I developed significant fibrosis of my pectoralis muscles and of my right chest wall. This was confirmed by a chest MRI. My shoulder on the involved side is much more anterior than the other which has resulted in shoulder pain and I still have chest pain. I also developed gastrointestinal reflux after radiation. It was my understanding that radiation side effects can occur up to five years after radiation. Most of the education given regarding radiation revolves around the acute changes of the skin and fatigue. There was little discussion about long term side effects. This site has been so helpful to know that your not alone!!! Wishing everyone the best on this journey!!
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Hi cedar75….I have had acid reflux since radiation too. It's terrible. I had 19 radiation treatments that ended January 11th. I had prone left breast radiation. My chest developed an itchy rash. It started during the last week. The first two days of radiation I had a sore throat each day afterwards for about 30 minutes or so but just thought it was something else, allergies or my nerves most likely. I told the technician and the Dr but they said it couldn’t be from the radiation. I think it was now. I’ve never had acid reflux this bad in my entire life. I’m trying to get better with diet, sleep and exercise. It’s crazy because I’ve always had a healthy diet and lifestyle. There’s not much else I can do. I have started eating smaller meals and be more active but the bouts with acid reflux is the same. I’m nauseous a lot. It affects me all during the day. I have taken otc Prilosec, but I have to be careful of what pills I take as I have a liver enzyme deficiency called Alfa 1. I’m an Mz which means I’m at greater risk than most people for liver deficiencies/diseases.
What kind of radiation did you have?
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@cedar75
Hello. Sorry to hear about all of your struggles after radiation.
I have been done with radiation for a little over 2 months and I am having a strange “side effect” and wanted to know if you experienced anything like this…?
Last week I had a dull pain in the right side of my back near my ribs (my BC was in my right breast) and now it seems to feel more like a pressure/pulling when I take a deep breath. It’s worse when I am lying down (sometimes it’s hard to take in a deep breath)
That area is also a bit sore to the touch. I don’t have a cough or any illness going on.
Ever experience anything like this?
Thank you!