PAIN IN THE ARM (NOT IN THE KNEE)

[seiler]

Years ago when I was in college, when I was 22, I shattered my right arm learning how to jump the vault in PE. I jumped a perfect jump but the landing was a disaster with 2 complete breaks and about 15 cracks. I had surgery and a plate and 5 wood (!) screws in it. They are still there and caused me no problems. 28 years ago I had breast cancer with a very extensive mastectomy, besides much other non-surgical treatment. My entire right quadrant froze: skin, muscles, everything. I lasted in pretty good shape for the 28 years till now. PET shows no cancer (13 tumors gone thanks to Ibrance and Letrozole). Now to another problem. Around 2 months ago I had a knot on my back, right side. It affects my nerve and is incredibly painful, runs over to my shoulder, down my arm, through my elbow and into my little finger. That is the path of the nerve. The pain has gotten shorter in length in that it seems to stop at the metal plate. But about 6 inches are still excruciating painful. Both hands have semi-bad pain from the Letrozole. Does anyone have sharp pain elsewhere other than knees? What do you think? I've been to 2 doctors and a chiropractor, plus had a professional massage. Nothing has helped. Shoulder and arm also tingle a lot.

[PJBinMI]

I have a damaged sciatic nerve with numbness and tingling down both legs and into my feet. My docs have prescribed Gabapentin for that and it helps some. I don't remember which of my many doctors first suggested it. I also take Celebrex for arthritis that predates mbc and it helps alot with the pain. I learned that when I had to go off of it for a few days for some procedure or test. (My short term memory is pretty awful! After 16 plus years of living with mbc and treatment!) I've had various pain meds over the years --- mostly short term after some procedure or surgery. The pain med that has worked recently for some back pain is Tramadol Hcl 50 mg. I took it three times a day at first and now twice a day. Good luck--I hope you and your docs can find good relief for you!