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Breast Cancer: Tight chest wall following radiation
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Jul 17, 2022 | Replies (8)Comment receiving replies
Last June 2022, after radiation therapy to left chest wall, (following breast cancer surgery in February) I developed severe tightening in my entire chest, making it difficult to get a deep breath without pushing against what feels like a tight band wrapped around me (24/7 all day). I went to Physical Therapy to help with regaining movement around the surgical area. In August, started Myofascial Release Therapy. In March, after nearly 5 months of MRT therapy and no relief, we took a break. Next I tried Barometric Oxygen Therapy for 6 weeks for possibly loosening the fascia. No change. I am uncomfortable daily with this tight band, and not sure where to turn for relief. Even with the uncomfortable tightness, I swim regularly and participate in 2 Qijong classes a week and continue to stretch. Thank you for any suggestions that might have. Nancy
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Hi Nancy - Thanks for throwing this question out there, looking for inputs to this problem too. So your radition must have been only last year, your post says June 2022 but you must have meant June 2021 base on all the various therapies you tried. My radiation and mastectomy were 7 years ago. I tried stretches recommended by therapist, massage (hard to find a masseuse comfortable/knowledgeable with post surgery/radiation), daily sauna, swimming, yoga, etc. My input to you would be while there is no magic solution, do keep at anything that seems to help even a little bit and that it will take lots of time, it will improve, but never really go away. I understand the frustration as with that constant tightness I never feel 'normal' in the chest area. I believe it is more of a muscle issue then a tendon or fashia issue but I have no data to back that up, just my believe based on my experience. Therefore, just like any other muscle, stretching and massaging will be part continual routine of staying fit and limber. I do monthly professional massages with a masseuse that specializes in shoulders, I do regular self massage to the front, I use massage cups sometimes which are great. It helps to put heat to the area first, hot damp washcloths are great for that. Even with all that there are certain positions (such as certain yoga positions) that tend to cramp up the area that was most heavily radiated. I have accepted that it is a lifetime scar that just needs to be managed and I know it is terrible but it seems similar to if you over microwave meat and it gets rubbery. there is no recovery from that, so I am glad I have most use/function of the muscle even if it takes continual management to have it. That doesn't change that with each breath I take I feel that tightness. Sorry not better news and I hope you don't find this discouraging but this is all information that I wish someone had just been upfront with me about from the beginning. Keep moving and keep active. It does get better, don't think it ever completely goes away, but maybe you will have a better experience then I and get full recovery some time down the road.