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Pain and tightness axila to bottom of rib cage

Posted by jlgc @jlgc, Oct 18, 2023

4 months after a week of hypo - fractionated radiation RX and lumpectomy I have developed tenderness under affected axila and tightness on same side to bottom of rib cage. I’m surprised this started so long after radiation, and I remained fairly physically active throughout summer with kayaking and some hiking. Physician ordered physical therapy.
Wondering if anyone else has experienced this.

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cedar75 | @cedar75 | Oct 20, 2023

One of well known side effects from radiation is lymphedema. I had no lymph node involvement.

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cedar75 | @cedar75 | Oct 21, 2023
In reply to @jlgc "Surgical team is scheduling US to take a look. Initial assessment is that lymphedema should not..." + (show)
@jlgc

Surgical team is scheduling US to take a look. Initial assessment is that lymphedema should not develop if no lymph involvement or resection.

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I was quoted by my radiation oncologist that a study revealed 7% of women who received total breast radiation with no lymph node involvement developed lymphedema. Edema is a common complication with radiation in general

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meomurian | @meomurian | Oct 21, 2023

I was given 2 sets of chest-stretching exercises to do, one while drain was in and another for after drain removal. I’ve been doing them twice a day and am amazed at how much my ROM has improved!

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sharon44r | @sharon44r | Apr 25 10:06pm
In reply to @jlgc "I don’t think you did anything wrong but I’m not sure why we are not warned..." + (show)
@jlgc

I don’t think you did anything wrong but I’m not sure why we are not warned that this could happen or told how to prevent it with at home simple exercises.
Just now starting PT and the therapist is trying to evaluate if the discomfort in axila is due to lymphedema. I don’t know if you can develop lymphedema without having had a lymph node resection or biopsy. Question is Can XRT alone cause it. Diagnosing this should not necessarily be in the physical therapist’s wheelhouse so I think now i will contact my surgeon. Will keep you posted.

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Has anyone tried pentoxifylline for breast fibrosis . I was just reading taking it with vitamin e could help some reversal and spreading. This is happening to me 4 months after radiation. Tight and sore

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