Hi,
I had my 1 year follow up with the reconstruction team on Friday, and mentioned that my ribs were sore. I thought this was probably a side effect of the radiotherapy, which finished in mid-June.
My consultant scheduled a chest x-ray and various blood tests, including CA 153, CEA and calcium. I was told to phone my BCN for the results later this week.
Has anyone else had these tests, are they just routine following an annual check up? I have got myself wound up thinking that they are checking for secondaries without telling me that that is what they are doing.
Has anyone else had rib pain due to the radiotherapy, and is there anything that they can do about it?
I’m sure others will be along soon to share their experiences, but in the meantime, I thought you might like to read our factsheet on Radiotherapy, I’ve given the link here:
I have rib pain following Rads in aug/ sept, I saw surgeon consultant and was diagnosed with Costachondritus which is inflamation of the inter-costal muscles that hold your ribs in place and 2 suspected cracked ribs.
I’ve slowly improved after hefty doses of Anti-inflammatories and my surgeon wasn’t worried about secondaries because, as she put it, it was exactly where I’d had rads to kill off any cancer.
I don’t know about your pain but I’m sure they’ll check you out throughly and the best thing you can do is rest. Good luck with the tests and the pain, I’ll be thinking of you.
Helen,
Thanks for your reply, I have just spoken to my BCN and all my blood test results were normal so that is good news, just waiting on the chest x-ray now.