Have had secondary bc for over 2 year spread to left lung …tiny…and 5 places on spine, one near back of neck 3 in middle of spine and one base of spine. I have had bad pain in left shoulder that radiates down top of my arm for a few months. I cant stretch that arm and have lost range of movement i.e cant reach behind me or over my head. If i try the pain is excruciating it makes trying to do my hair and get dressed very difficult. Also cannot sleep on that side. My question is how do i know if its the cancer or the side effect of treatment or just an injury? I have gone through endless tubes of voltarol gel and ibuprofen. Do i go to the doctors or ask at cancer clinic?
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Hi
Is there a chance it could be frozen shoulder? I had it in both, not at the same time fortunately, but what you describe sounds very much like it. It is extremely painful. I ended up seeing a chiropractor for treatment as the wait for physio was going to be 6 weeks.
Xx
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Hi,
It could well be some kind of injury, but none of us here are qualified to know, so my personal advice would be to check out anything new with your cancer team. Do you have a breast care nurse you can contact? They should then be able to point you in the right direction, whether that is them investigating further or advising you to see your GP.
I hope you can get some help, it sounds painful.
Take care,
Lisa
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Hi I have and had mets in my collar bones and shoulder blades, both of which I have had radiotherapy to manage pain.
Please check any new or ongoing pain with your oncology team.
I hope this is not your situation……
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Hi jackbaz
Thank you for posting.
It is understandable you would like to know the cause of the symptoms you are experiencing in your left shoulder which is radiating down your arm stopping you from stretching out the arm. This sounds very uncomfortable for you. You mention you are wondering whether the symptoms are due to an injury, side effect of cancer treatment or an injury and has not got better despite using endless anti-inflammatory gels
As your symptoms are new and you are being treated for secondary breast cancer it is best you get in contact with your breast care nurse, treatment team or GP.
You may already be aware of the support services we provide for people living with secondary breast cancer. They are aimed at providing both information and support.
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