rib pain

[Celia2055]

Its six weeks now since the end of radiotherapy ,I am experiencing rib pain on the treatment side and feel fatigued, has anyone experienced this ?and how long does it last.I feel worse now with aches and pains as time goes on .

[Jennymary]

Contact BCN or GP for advice/re-assurance, hopefully it's just your body reacting to what's happened to it throughout your journey, and it's easily resolved, good luck xx

[Nixh]

Hi, I wasn't too bad after radiotherapy finished, but have to say I still feel fatigued (finished radio March16)... its usually if I've overdone it or not slept well.

I did have rib ache ... mine was a winded/bruised feeling,.. it did eventually get better (I have temp expanders at the mo which I think presses on the ribs a bit that side and it gets niggly every now and then).

The fatigue is normal I've been told, and can last a while, I think the stresses and strains of it all manifest into pains and tiredness after and our bodies just need to heal from it all!

Are you on Tamoxifen? that makes me ache most days.... I drink tonic water to help them, but there are days when I could just stay in bed all day if I had the choice!

If you're worried at all though, ask you consultant/bcc nurse or GP,

take care,

Nix x

[Lainey66 in reply to Nixh]

Hi Nix does the tonic water help? My bones are in bits pain wise. I am waiting on both a dexascan and a bone scannas my right wrist and forearm is excruciatingly painful. I have a brace to wear but it is too restrictive. My Oncologist believes that the meds have caused both the onset of osteoarthritis and tendinitis. Painkillers hardly touch the pain. 😕

[Nixh in reply to Lainey66]

Hi Lainey,

Sorry you have bone pain, hope the scans are a good thing are they just checking for arthritis/osteoarthritis?

I ache everyday but most days it’s manageable. I think all the treatment we’ve had targets previous weaknesses unfortunately .. knees and ankles are mine from playing netball but my lower back twinges occasionally.

I think tonic helps a bit, I’ve always drank a lot of it on its own (a little with gin!) as love the taste. You can get quinine tablets I think from a doctor but it can affect some organs apparently. Probably best to stick to the tonic water, there’s lots of nice new flavours around now, elderflower, pomegranate, lime etc if you’re not keen on the taste although the bitter taste is still there ...

Maybe give it a go and see if it help? If not it was worth a shot.

Take care,

Nix x

[Lainey66 in reply to Nixh]

Thanks Nix, the dexascan is to check bone density to see if osteoporosis is evident (thanks to chemo and meds) the bone scan in the arm is to just ensure that cancer has not spread to the bones. He seemed very positive that it has not, but just wants it confirming. I will definitely try the tonic water. I quite like it myself too 👍 Thank you for sharing xx

[Jenny1410 in reply to Lainey66]

Oh no hope your ok I'm also in pain can't sleep and dripping like a tap hope it ends soon xx take care lainey

[louise007]

Hello ..yes I had rib pain as if I had been kicked I had a bone scan as a precaution all ok but two and a half years on still sometimes get it ..that side just seems more tender perhaps because that was where my lump was and had extra five booster sessions to that area . But my breast still hurts they reckon due to radiotherapy and nerve endings ..could be worse so I try to put it to back of mind ..not easy ...on tamoxifen for ten years so I have tonic water as well just one small glass a day supposed to help with leg cramps ..works for me ...any doubts talk to breast care nurses they are used to all our questions and none are daft or silly if it's a concern they can put your mind at rest ..take care ....I have my mammogram on Monday so feeling tense ...that doesn't seem to get any better ...but dealing with it ..one day at a time then one week at a time ...