Hya,
I have grade 3 cancer with lymph node involvement have had it since march,and I am having chemo before mastectomy.I would just like to know if anyone with a similar diagnosis has ever suffered pain in the breast ?? Before my chemo started i literally could feel the cancer eating at my breast,with a constant pulling bruised pain in my armpit i cud see and feel it pulling my nipple inwards it was physcologically hard i had to take anxiety tablets to get me through the days until chemo started.Ive had an excellent response to chemo,the lumps are no longer feelable,Ive had 3 epi and my first tax 23rd june,last two days my boobs killing me,i only ever feel slight pain period time but my periods are all over the place now.
I was jst wondering if anybody has also had this im petrified the chemo is stopping working.
Logically they dont jst stop working do they ?? Rang the chemo nurse,she said that sometimes its the nodes flaring up as a reaction to the chemo… may need my anxiety tablets again !!! Any views or thoughts will be appreciated,most people i talk to just say i had no pain at all …
take care
sharon
xx
Hi smallstar
Whilst you wait for the other users to reply with there advice and experiences you may want to give the BCC helpline call and talk this through with one of our trained members of staff.
The helpline team comes from a variety of backgrounds, so callers get to talk to someone who has an understanding of the issues they are facing. They are able to talk about both practical and emotional issues surrounding breast cancer.
The number to call is 0808 800 6000 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 2pm.
I hope this helpful.
Kind regards
Sam (BCC Facilitator)
Hi Sharon,
I too had multifocal BC, 3 very large tumours,with large node involvement.
I didnt have chemo before surgery, i opted for a matectomy and full node clearance, with chemo after.
I like you, had a lot of pain in the breast before diagnosis, also lots of itching.
throughout chemo and for a long time after, my chest and armpit where the breast was was extremely painful, but also the unaffected breast hurt really bad, I even had a a discharge from the nipple of the unaffected breast which the nurse said was really common as chemo messes up your hormones.
Chemo is a combination of really powerful drugs that cause so many things to happen in our bodies but take heart that its highly unlikely to have stopped working and for anything sinister to have happened in such a short time, I believe chemo stays in our systems for around 6 months. hope that is of some reassurance
SS
I also had chemo first in my case 4 x ac then 4 x tax… i also had pains in my breast and was told it was common and not to worry…
Theresa
I had grade 3, multifocal IDC but did not have chemo beforehand. My understanding was that, because I also had DCIS, a mastectomy was inevitable. I was a bit of a coward and didn’t go to my GPs for several months when I first found the lumps - strangely, though, I almost miss the feel of them now. Of course, I am glad that they have been removed but I do remember just how painful they were before I was diagnosed - I can only describe the sensation as equivalent to ‘growing pains’. It is something that baffles me because we are frequently told that BC is not usually painful, and yet I understand that women with secondary BC are given pain relief which would seem to suggest that they are in pain because of their BC…
I’m sorry I’m not able to answer your particular question but I do also recall experiencing quite intensive pain across my chest and down my arms and even my whole body when I was going through chemo (Epi CMF) so it may indeed be common - but I would definitely mention it to the nurse/onc if you haven’t already and if you have perhaps you would like to let us know what they said.
All the best
Naz
Thanks for all your advice,I think the old minds working overtime!
Pains not so bad today,makes me think its hormones.
Blooming cancer,plays havoc with your brain,your body and your life.
sharon
xxx
Hi sharon. I know exactly how you felt darl. I had a large cancer of left breast. It grew so quickly. Pulling my nipple in like yours. I a full mastectomy and had 10 lymph glands removed with only one with cells in it. I have now just had my first chemo session on Wed 1st June. They did discuss some chemo before the mastectomy, but In the end went for the surgery first. Keep in touch darl. I hope all goes well for you. xxx Rita
Hi
I had a reconstruction in feb and masectomy! now on chemo , 5th one. got one more to go,then radiotheraphy for 3 weeks! I had pain from the start and could feel it burning my boob and the pain was dtradful, even worse than the surgery and that was awful after and still is, my boob still hurts and goes hard and I have to wear bra as only way can feel comfortable. but I certainly agree with the pain!