Muscular skeletal side effects from radiation

Oh my word, you certainly have had a time with it. I did have a little muscle and joint issues but nothing severe. However I could not sleep on that side for a long time. I know there are more people on connect who have had similar issues. I am not as savvy on here as some of the mentors, about tagging people. But I am going to try and figure that out. How far into PT are you now, is it getting any better?

I was looking back on some threads about radiation, and I want to tag our moderator who has been around a while and is really good at finding people to help, I am also going to tag a newcomer who asked about radiation and pain in her knee replacement. I am hoping we can support each other in his. @colleenyoung @creeder. I am looking forward to hearing from you again.

I have been in PT for two months and pain is a lot better. I would wake with throbbing pain at night. I feel like I have less lateral rib pain. But when you look at me you can see my right shoulder is now anterior to my left. Range of motion has improved but is not back to full. My PT provider and PMR doc are terrific. Radiation as my therapist said fried the “ “ of my pectoralis muscle!! Thanks for your rapid reply!!

I just started volunteering on here and I am not too good yet but I have breast cancer experience, and I care. I know that some fried muscles is not that uncommon with radiation. I am glad you reached out, and was scheduled into PT quickly. It sounds like you are a pretty active person. What kind of radiation, how many treatments did you have? Did you have any other side effects?

Oh boy you hit the mark! I had double mastectomy. And while I believe I had the best of care & doctors, somehow this was left out. Excruciating pain when trying to lift my arm. Couldn’t open my arm straight. I was still seeing my dr every week so I told her. She immediately had me signed up for therapy. I had 3 nodes removed, so I learned it was expected from a protocol, just got overlooked. I reread all my notebook I was given and nothing! I am still feeling some pain but the cording popping was a lifesaver. Knowing to wear compression sleeve and glove when traveling is comfort too. My pain did go down my chest and ribs. And still does when I really stretch. It’s still there, but I am aware what the pain is and try to stretch it out 2 years later.
I wrote to the head of the department to let him know that although they helped me, I would have appreciated knowing beforehand.
One aspect I’m sure of; they tried very hard not to overwhelm cancer treatment patients. I wanted to know everything. They instead took me a step at a time. I knew radiation was coming, but they kept me in the present. It was a good thing, bc my symptoms overwhelmed me many times. For example, my tongue kept swelling up. I even made a microfiber little tongue ‘pillowcase’ to keep it away from my teeth. I can laugh about it now. I thought I had a great new invention. That’s how wrapped up we become. But it still would have been better to know what was happening w my arm before it happened. Best I can offer is to write and let them know to include it in their ‘what you should know’ notebook.

For me it was due to the lymph nodes being removed. They started drying up in my arm. Like a blood vessel or ligament. I’m not sure radiation was addtl cause. I will look that up. It was pain I hope never to have again!

@cedar75 @happy2bhear @auntieoakley, you may also be interested in this discussion that @roch started a while back.
Cording / Axillary Web Syndrome (AWS) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cording-axillary-web-syndrome-aws/

@sparklegram @trixie1313 @dmpill offer tips on stretching and exercises.

What stretching exercises have helped you?

I had whole breast with bursts over the tumor area. Probably did not help that my tumor was very close to my pectoralis muscle. My skin issues were
minimal. I have some areas of skin with loss of sensation. I did have nausea that started on last two days or radiation and lasted for 3 weeks. I also developed acid reflux. The latter has now waned but nausea continues which now maybe more related to chemo.

I have reached out to providers. I find it ironic that some of my friends not Mayo patients who have breast cancer were automatically referred to PT/PMR before surgery and after radiation. It did not matter what type of surgery or radiation. It was just standard practice. The PMR folks will reel you they would like to see you before interventions so they can get baseline measurements and provide education and pre and post therapy suggestions.

This all is an eye opener. I'm scheduled for a lumpectomy next week and have asked doctors what to expect without much information. I live alone and have a big dog to care for, so it's important for me to know what to expect. Tell me what cord popping is?