I asked a question a couple of months ago as to whether tamoxifen could affect swallowing or oesophagus and got some helpful replies. Now I am wondering if my issue is actually RT related? I finished RT 6 months ago and I have for about 3 months had a sensation of tablets getting stuck in my sternum and occasionally food too. Also had aching in oesphagus off and on, not constant. My oncologist sent me for a gastroscopy which revealed small hiatus hernia and gastritis. Just finished a months course of omeprazole and, whilst things haven’t got worse, I am not convinced they have improved.
Could this be down to RT? Onc said not…but consultant radiographer said swallowing issues normally were related! Who to believe?!
Also recently started with a pulling sensation in ribs on treatment side so have gone back to my physio exercises. Guessing this is also a likely side effect?!
Hi @blue80. I had 15 x rads in May. I can relate to the pulling sensation on my left side, where I had my mastectomy. I have continued with maintenance stretching ever since my op last September.
Before I had rads my oncologist told me I may experience some discomfort around swallowing or may feel sick because my stomach is a little higher up than usual. I only experienced hiccups more than usual while I was having rads.
X
Hi Sorry to hear you are having these symptoms. I had radiotherapy in February this year for Stage 3 ER pos HER2neg BC. Left mastectomy Oct 23 and Axillary Node Clearance Nov 23 Over the last few weeks I have developed increased pain and swelling left chest wall . My medical oncologist told me I have radiation fibrosis and also said commonly occurs 3-6 months after radiotherapy . A CT to exclude bony mets in my ribs did not show any bony mets luckily but chest wall swelling and thickening of the lining of the lung and scarring of the anterior left lung . My medical oncologist has referred me back to the clinical oncologist to discuss the likely time frame . So medical oncologists are best with drugs and clinical oncologists best with radiotherapy related matters . So specialised-we need to believe the expert so for radiotherapy related matters it will be the clinical ( not medical ) oncologist you need . For drug related matters it will be the medical oncologist . Hope helps!
Can’t comment on long term rad effects as on 15th of 19 fractions tomorrow, however, tamoxifen definitely gives me indigestion, which up until starting it, I never suffered from, and regular belching throughout the day. I sometimes take omeprazole that I was given post op but didnt use at the time as didn’t need painkillers much.
The hiatus hernia might give you a feeling of things getting stuck, I think it could cause delayed emptying of swallowed food into your stomach. If there was anything else causing it it would of been picked up in your scope.
You might find you need omeprazole for as long as on tamoxifen, I think I’ll be asking for more when I’ve run out.
@blue80
Definitely worth continuing the arm exercises. I developed breast lymphoedema about 3 months after radiotherapy and the physio said changes continue for up to 2 years so keep doing the exercises!
Good luck
There is something call the ‘electron stream effect’ which means radiotherapy doses can be given to parts of you that were not planned. In breast cancer patients this is mostly your chin, & arm. Could maybe have something to do with swallowing issues?
Thanks. It could be. Doctors seem adamant RT not the culprit but I remain unconvinced! Have started on Lanzaprazole now which seemed initially to be working better than Omeprazole but last couple of days have been worse again. Gastritis type pain. I have eaten a lot of meat this weekend though (which I normally don’t) and more cups of tea than usual. Think I need a few days of ‘gentle’ food and no caffeine and will see if that eases things.
Hi,
4 months on from radiotherapy and I snapped a cord that must of formed over my ribs ( I have posted about it). Was painful at the time, but so much better since. If you feel a tightening, thats a hint to stretch the area asap, I dont recommend having to snap a cord to improve movement. Everything was fine until 4 months later. The latest being some lymph build up under the breast skin and I suspect some fibrosis - doing regular deep massages to that area with bio-oil, I think its helping. I only had 1 SLN removed!
As far as tamoxifen side-effects went, decided the limited benefit (and possibility no benefit as Her2+++) was not worth the side-effects, indigestion and nausea being a couple of many others. This week, finally feeling like the old me, but its taken 5 months nearly since radiotherapy. Seemed to get a lull in energy as symptoms of radiotherapy appeared, feeling more zing since its started improving. Hope it lasts.