left arm pain with breast cancer

[pfifette]

I have breast cancer which has traveled to my liver. I have a muscle pain I think in my left arm between joint and the forearm. When I extend it it strains, but if it is bent it is fine. The pain has now traveled up my arm and to my shoulder. I had some of my lymph nods removed on the same arm. Is this a concern? Should I call my doc right away or can this wait until tomorrow when I see him?

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

Knowing your previous history of breast cancer and breast surgery, these symptoms may be related to some disruption of lymphatics and blood drainage from the involved arm.  Inadequate drainage can indeed cause this pain and may even progress to some form of lymphedema.  

Another possibility is bone involvement by the cancer cells, the pain of which can be progressive.  It should be discussed with your doctors regarding a possible bone scan or PET scan to assess if there are new or existing lesions in these areas.

Regards and God bless.

[pfifette]

Thanks for the feedback. I went for Yesterday and the doc is on vacation. The nurse said keep an eye on it and check in next week. The doc will be on vacation next friday also. Should I just wait and call in on regular hours to tell the doc on call about this situation?

Thanks again for all your help.

[katarina777]

I think you need to tell the nurse about it and tell her that this remains a big concern for you and then she needs to  tell the doctor on call about it, and he will decide what to do, and if he/she needs to see you or schedule some type of scan. how long ago was your surgery. If the surgery happened recently, it may be normal to have all sorts of weird pain in your arm. I did and I also had many lymph nodes removed. And then the pain started up in my other arm even worse, on the good side, and then it went to my right leg and that was the worst. I was certain I had bone mets and my doctors did not take it seriously. but to make a long story short, for some bizarre reason, my femur in the right leg was dying and the bone marrow incredibly swollen. it first showed up on the bone scan and then more clear in an MRI. It was so bad I had to use morphine for it, and then one day, just like it began, it got better. Since I have had cancer, i have had all sort of weird things come and go. I am not sure if this is of any help but I think you need to push the nurse first.