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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Pain in rib cage
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Pain in rib cage
by sallyb, Feb 20, 2003 12:00AM
I had a lumpectomy followed by chemothearapy and radiation in the fall of 2000. About three months ago, I began having acute pain in my rib cage beside and under the breast that received the treatment. Usually the pain starts when I have twisted my upper torso or have reached for something behind me, but sometimes it occurs when I am sitting still. It does not feel musculature, but it is severe enough that it makes it difficult to breathe. It starts fairly suddenly and then gradually subsides as I consciously relax my body and force myself to take deep breaths even though it is painful. The pain usually doesn't last for more than a minute total, and it is irregular. Sometimes I go several days without one; sometimes I have quite a few in a short period of time. Could this have anything to do with my cancer or my cancer treatments? More cancer? Damage from the radiation? I have spoken to my oncologist about this, and she did an ultrasound on my breast and did not find anything, but quite frankly, I don't feel that she was taking me very seriously. Do you know of anyone else with a similar situation?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Feb 20, 2003 12:00AM
Dear sallyb: This could be anything from recurrent cancer to radiation damage to gas pain. It is not unreasonable to x-ray your chest to make sure the rib is okay. If the pain gets worse, a bone scan may be appropriate.
My daughter had extreme pain off and on for several years and did not know what it was. It hurt in the "wrong place" for gall bladder problems..all across the front in rib area. She had a very bad attack and had to have surgery and it was her gall bladder. The surgeon said she had the worse gall bladder he had ever seen. It could be something like that instead of the dreaded BIG C coming back. Best Wishes to You
I am a 47 year old female, 5;5" around135 pounds. I exercise on a daily basis, at least 35 minutes per day. I would like to know if a high pulse rate when resting is unusal. I woke up last night around 2:30 am (Saturday, Aug 12th), took my blood pressure 117/73 and with that comes my heart rate which was 114. Is this an area of concern for me?
Thanks
Debbie