Hi
I have posted before about a bruised rib pain after rads, but now the last couple of weeks, and one year since rads, I keep getting like a muscle cramp behind my ribs on bc side. It comes on if ive done something using the muscle, like lifting, coughing, tensing. The cramping pain is severe but I sit still for a few seconds and it goes away.
Anyone else got this? Spoke to bcn who said it is probably from the rads, they can affect the rib muscle as well as the rib bones. She told me to mention it when I next see onc (4wks time).
Until then, any comments appreciated.
Hi Lolly,
my surgeries were quite a long time ago - one in 1996 and the other in 1999 and I have always had this problem. I developed really bad spasms that affected my feet and hands as well. Some of these were so bad and would last up to 20 mins at a time. I tried all the usual stuff like quinine, tonic water etc. and one thing that worked for me for a short while was additional magnesium. Eventually the spasms came back again. I am on pamidronate & herceptin permanently and because of more pain probs recently I was on amitriptyline and for a year now have no more cramps. I am not suggesting you take any of these measures, I just wanted to reassure you that you were not alone with the type of cramp you describe.
Dawn
xx
Hi Lolly,
I should think it’s probably because of the rads. I had it as well for the first two years after treatment.
Is it a muscle cramp or a spasm? Reason Im asking is I suffered with constipaton badly. I was so compacted (8 days w/o a bowel movement). I tried stool softeners senokot S and lactulose, suppositories, enema with no success then resorted to oral laxative to finally work. My internal organs bladder, lower back pain with the stool compacted suffered as well. Once the stool started to move out I would get when I stood or moved a spasm in the middle of my back. Just around the bra line. It was like a internal spasm. I figured it was my intestines moving the crap out litterly.
Hi
I tried this morning in vain to reply to you but computer was palying up and had other ideas.
I have the same problem in my left hand side. I have pain for a few seconds some times longer and it can take my breath away. I am nearly 5 years down the road and was told that there was nothing i could do about it. I have difficulty cleaning, leaning forward to clean and the pain is so bad it throws me back. I sometimes get the pains when i am doing nothing which in a way is worse.It is muscle spasm, i am assuming that the rads damaged the muscle my chest. If you do manage to find a cure please let me know.
Hi
Thanks for your replies, glad im not the only one!
GIJane, no its definately not constipation, so hoping its just from the rads.
Anyone else know if rads damages the muscles?
Check the thread ‘Swollen ribs & prominent veins’. This covers much of the same information.
There are many of us!
Jo
hi everyone
just been reading your stories i too have been experiencing cramps in my feet its been really bad recently and only 4 weeks ago i started with cramp in my left side where i had a lumpectomy just in my ribs for a few seconds
my doctor is sending me to see a vascular surgeon as he thinkls it could be something to do with when i used to smoke 6 yrs ago
i am so pleased that im having investigations into this as i am so paranoid about my health since having BC 12 months ago
i also have chest problems too due to my smoking so im hoping its to do with the rads i had and nothing more serious
Jackie
x
Hello!!
I have been experiencing the exact same problem. Muscle cramp on the bc side right below my breast. I believe it is an inter-costal muscle that is having the spasm. I asked a radiation oncologist about it and he said it was likely caused from the radiation. It can cause the muscle to tissue to become fibrotic. Which is why that bruise feeling is present around the breast tissue. I find it is hard for me to even take a breath when I am getting the spasm. I just sit as still as possible and it usually goes away in a few seconds. I can feel them coming on now.
I started seeing a massage therapist who specializes in breast tissue massage post cancer. It has really made a big difference in my tissue. I now try and go at least once a month if not more.
Hope this helps a bit,
Best,
Jennifer