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Pain I. Breast

Ppppopp profile image
43 Replies

Hi everyone,

I’m going for my second scan since starting ibrance/letrozole combo. Of course I’m getting pain/tingling in my breast 2 weeks before scan!!!

Does anyone ever get pains before scans are coming? It’s driving me nuts! I just keep thinking it has spread.

Argh!!

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Ppppopp profile image
Ppppopp
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43 Replies

Hi,

I think our bodies like to play tricks on us! I used to get pain and tingling in my breast if I was feeling stressed, and then I would worry that the cancer was spreading, but it wasn't. I know it is easier said than done but try to find ways to distract yourself and relax. Can you book a massage or a spa day? Watching a comedy or having a laugh with a friend or family member really helps too. I am always laughing! The release of endorphins can help you deal with the stress of what's coming up but without having to pop a pill or go see your doctor.

Another thing to bear in mind is that the tingling sensation may just be the cancer cells dying off. So now if I do get the odd pain or twinge I think to myself that the cancer is dying a slow, grisly death that it deserves.

I wish you all the very best for your upcoming scan,

Sophie

Ppppopp profile image
Ppppopp in reply to

Thank you so much Sophie. So good to hear I’m not the only one.

in reply to Ppppopp

You're welcome. No, you are not alone. I can't say for sure, but if you try to deal with your emotions right now then hopefully the pain and tingling will go away on its own.

Ppppopp profile image
Ppppopp in reply to

You are absolutely right! I’m on holiday at the moment, I’m eating and drinking more than I normally would. Pretty sure I’m feeling guilty.

in reply to Ppppopp

The guilt might be the culprit! I try not to feel guilty (unless of course I have got real cause to feel bad about something I've done!) So for example, if I miss a day at the gym I don't beat myself up. I remind myself I had a lot of appointments that day or I had a headache. Or if I have a piece of cake I tell myself the cake tasted good and I deserve an occasional treat. So for every guilty thought that crosses my mind, I find a reason to chase it away, if that makes sense. When you are on holiday you have to remind yourself that you are on break, and your diet will not be the same as it would normally be.

Ppppopp profile image
Ppppopp in reply to

Thank you!

I keep telling myself you need to live and enjoy yourself.

None of us are guaranteed tomorrow.

in reply to Ppppopp

You're welcome! Yes, that's true. We still have to lead our lives and have fun.

Fighteragain18 profile image
Fighteragain18 in reply to Ppppopp

Exactly enjoy everyday

I ache everywhere but I think it’s just my age 44 on Tuesday ha ha and I’m a fitness instructor so I beast myself daily

I’m waiting on a scan so bit nervous myself but I’m trying to stay strong and positive

I go to reiki and exercise is good for you too

Don’t feel guilty re diet , I love my wine n take outs but have super clean days too

Live you’re life, no life is given not just us cancer dudes xxxx

Much love

Ppppopp profile image
Ppppopp in reply to Fighteragain18

Thanks!!

I get hearing about reiki, think it’s about time I checked it out.

All the best for your upcoming scans.

Yup, no one is guaranteed anything.xx

mariootsi profile image
mariootsi in reply to Fighteragain18

Good luck with your scan.

mariootsi profile image
mariootsi in reply to Ppppopp

No guilt! Just enjoy yourself!

Ppppopp profile image
Ppppopp in reply to mariootsi

Thanks so much! I have a week left-no guilt!!

nstonerocks profile image
nstonerocks

I get pains I’m sure are Mets. They never are. But scanxiety is real and our minds need an outlet for all the angst. Good luck. Mine are Monday 😰

Ppppopp profile image
Ppppopp in reply to nstonerocks

Thank you. Our minds are so powerful.

Good luck for Monday.🙏🏻

in reply to nstonerocks

I wish you well with your scans too, Nancy. I hate it when they come around! Do we ever look forward to them?

Sophie

Teddielottie profile image
Teddielottie in reply to nstonerocks

Good luck ! 🍀

mariootsi profile image
mariootsi in reply to nstonerocks

Nancy,

Good luck with your scan on Monday! I will be thinking of you for good results.

They come around so fast don't they.

nstonerocks profile image
nstonerocks in reply to mariootsi

Yes too often. It’s a job having cancer

kearnan profile image
kearnan in reply to nstonerocks

I seen a cartoon once written by a woman who had stage iv. It's three women talking at a party and one asks the other "What do you do?" The other lady responds "I have cancer, so I mainly do that." You are so right. It feels like a job to me. More with dealing with switching from medicaid to medicare and all the paperwork and visits involved in joining a pooled trust spend down so that I can get Medicaid back as my secondary insurer. Once approved, Medicaid will pay the premiums that are now being taken out of my SSDI and will pay anything that Medicare does not which is alot. (I had no idea). My first month on Medicare and they expect me to pay $2,540.00 for my coshare of meds. Hard to get help if you are on Medicaid and Medicare. So it's a long process and all the trust documents are done and now I have to wait 30-45 days for Medicaid to approve my spend down. Once I get it, I am set for life and do not have to worry about copays. Medicare will be my primary but Medicaid will pay for everything that Medicare does not. It's been stressful.

nstonerocks profile image
nstonerocks in reply to kearnan

It shouldn’t be that way for people with catastrophic illness. But... got to just keep plowing through it. There is no viable alternative.

Francesca10 profile image
Francesca10 in reply to nstonerocks

Sending you hugs, positive vibes and much love ♥️

nstonerocks profile image
nstonerocks in reply to Francesca10

Thanks Homegirl!💕

Ppppopp profile image
Ppppopp in reply to Francesca10

Thanks so much!x

Ppppopp profile image
Ppppopp

Thank you so much Sandra.

Teddielottie profile image
Teddielottie

Good luck with your upcoming scan ... try to keep busy and not dwell on it... tho’ we all get scan anxiety and completely understand 🤗

Ppppopp profile image
Ppppopp

Thank you so much!

Becca65 profile image
Becca65

My breast cancer wasn’t painful. Although I hear bone mets can be very painful.

Becca65 profile image
Becca65

My ascites caused all kinds of discomfort as well as pain. I am so sorry you had to endure!

Survivornow profile image
Survivornow

I was told the pain is the medication killing the cancer. So far they have been correct!

Prayers for great results!

kearnan profile image
kearnan in reply to Survivornow

I was told the same thing.

Ppppopp profile image
Ppppopp in reply to kearnan

Great!! Thank you

Ppppopp profile image
Ppppopp in reply to Survivornow

I’ll take that!! Thanks so much!

mariootsi profile image
mariootsi

You aren't alone! I feel weird pains and tingling before scans too! I think it's the stress of it all!

Everything becomes amplified. I like what Sophie said about the cancer dying. I'm going to remember that!

I pray you get good results from your scan!

Ppppopp profile image
Ppppopp in reply to mariootsi

Thank you so much!!

Francesca10 profile image
Francesca10

Here’s hoping for good positive results on your scans. Sending 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 And hugs. I was calm before my last pet scan but got anxiety after it was done thinking about the outcome, treatment, on n on. This is not an easy fight that’s for sure. I am so grateful to have all of you here in this board.♥️

Ppppopp profile image
Ppppopp in reply to Francesca10

Thanks so much!x

kearnan profile image
kearnan

I was getting them on and off and and not just before scans. My onco told me that means the meds were working and tumor was shrinking.

Ppppopp profile image
Ppppopp in reply to kearnan

Thank you! I feel so much better hearing this

kearnan profile image
kearnan in reply to Ppppopp

They come and go and if it bothers me too much, I take a 800 mg. of ibuprofen. I have a large tumor in my right breast. Most times it does not bother me, sometimes I feel pain and tingling. She did measure it and although it is still large, it got a bit smaller. So next time think the meds are kicking its butt.

Mimiholl profile image
Mimiholl

I get aches and pains and record them on my calendar and I seem to see a pattern on which week it is or if I've just had my xegeva shot(ibrance 125 and letrozole For 27 months , 21 days both then 7 just letrozole)

I have full body bone scans and Ct scans on Monday used to be every 3 months now every almost 6 months and have a love hate with them scared they are going to see something and realizing if there is something it's already there, and relief when fine🙏🙏🙏

We've got this shoe that we are always worried is going to drop. Most days I can keep the wolves at bay, as the song says Fear is a liar!

In Gods hands, thanks to Drs, nurses, and researchers we are lucky the time we are living in!

Mimi

Ppppopp profile image
Ppppopp

Very true! Thank ypu

morty87 profile image
morty87

I’ve heard these pains referred to as “phantom pains”. I get them too but the oncologist has suggested these are simply our minds playing tricks on us brought on by stress. Hang in there everyone!!!

Ppppopp profile image
Ppppopp

Thank you! Fingers crossed.

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