I have been having pain in my remaining breast for 7 months. I had a left mastectomy in July last year and have had my chemo and rads. I am now 8 weeks post chemo and 3 weeks post rads. The pain had been happening since just before my chemo started in September.
I had my daughter a week before my mastectomy also.
I have been examined by GP 4 times and twice by breadt surgeon. They are all putting it down to hormines due to pregnancy, and chemo, which I get, but it’s really worrying me for obvious reasons. It’s a pain that comes and goes and is sometimes burning but can also be sharp shooting pains or a heavy aching feeling! Has anyone else experienced this? I’ve tried lots if painkillers and nothing is helping! I don’t want to bother the doctor again, as I feel like they are sick of the sight if me, but I’m so miserable and worried about it! Any advice would be greatly appreciated! I just need some reassurance! I can’t sleep!
Thanks.
Katie
Hello Katfish, I can understand you’re worries as I think we cancer people have a different perspective on things after diagnosis. First of all I’ve been told that radiotherapy goes on effecting tissue for a long time after the treatment stops and it can have all sorts of side effects. Also your daughter is very young and our bodies do get strange aches and pains after childbirth. I’m well past having a baby but still get weird feeling in my remaining breast when I see mothers breast feeding. I’m not trying to explain away your pains though. Do you have a breast care nurse? They are often the best people to talk to. They won’t want to scan you unless there is good reason as scans carry their own risks.
Thanks do much for your comment! I know I am just being anxious, but as you say, I think most people in our situation are much more away of their bodies and what’s going on. I have a great gp, who has been very understanding and who has just this week, spoken to me and been very empathetic. She had given me stronger painkillers to try and wants me to come back and see her on Monday! I know the doctors and nurses etc do an amazing job and at the end of the day, they are the experts! You have given me some reassurance, so thank you Again x
Hi Katie - I don’t think there is any one of us who does not have a heightened sense of near panic at any ‘abnormal’ finding or pain, following a cancer diagnosis. Even 11 years post diagnosis, if I have pain anywhere, my default is, it must be cancer. I try to maintain some perspective by saying to myself, before my cancer diagnosis, what would I have thought the pain was due to? Following a cancer diagnosis your health antennae go in to overdrive. Anything cancer related tends to be persistent and increasing rather than something that comes and goes. You will relax more with the passing of time but you are likely to remain alert to possible trouble, that’s just the nature of the beast we try to live with, so don’t be hard on yourself.
Thanks to you all for replying! I do feel reassured by your words. There’s days where I feel like I’m on the road to normality again and others were anxiety gets the better of means I’m googling every symptom I se to get. I’m only 2 months post chemo and 1 month post radio, so I know my body will take time to get bsck to normal! It’s just the waiting game that can be frustrating!its comforting to know thst there are people on here that can relate to what I am experiencing, and I thank you all for your feedback x