I was dx in january 2010 and has WLE february following by course of radiation which finished in May last year. Taking tamoxifen currently. From the very beginning I have been devastated by the news I had etc., and have found it a struggle to get on with things…but anyhow, ive tried and am doing all the normal stuff i used to do including working fulltime, house, family and hobbies etc., … but just a few weeks ago I noticed a had a very tender area on my rib … its soooo tender to touch and it i cant get comfortable when i try n sleep on that side … i mentioned it to an ortho consultant who i was seeing for something else, and he said due to my history (BC) he thought I should have a bone scan. I am now petrified…has the C come back in my bones now… 
Hi Mexico
There are other reasons for soreness other than bone mets, so try not to think the worst (hard I know). And as you don’t mention chemo I’m guessing you had no node involvement, so to have spread so soon afterwards would be a little unusual. But do get it checked out so you can hopefully stop worrying.
finty xx
Hi mexico,I know that there are quite a few women on here who have had sore/tender ribs,there are a few threads on it but I can’t find them.I know that a later rare side effect from radiotherapy can be damage to bones especially ribs I think there is some information on the Macmillan cancer site.Best to get it checked though.
best wishes Melxx
Hi Mexico
Yes I’ve got very sore spots on my ribs. Some days I can’t bear to have the pressure of a bra on them. They also go right down to the bottom of my rib cage on my affected side.
I think you should ask for a scan to put your mind at rest but mine are from radiotherapy. 3 and a half years on!!!
At my last appointment the consultant brought in a student and was explaining things to her and said ‘The ribs and underarm will be painful because with the surgery there is no fat to act as a cushion between the skin and the rib cage’. I’d asked about it a few times but never been told that, but it does make sense.
The pain further down my rib cage is a reaction to rads which is unlikely to improve. I didn;t have a great experience with rads unfortunately, I also have lympho in my breast due to rads. The onc told me that what you have after a year is what you’re stuck with.
I hope this helps but don’t be afraid to ask for a scan to put your mind at rest. This BC lark is very scary.
Love to you
J xxx
Hi
I have sore ribs after mastectomy and rads. Initially the scar was so swollen that I couldn’t feel any ribs, but now it’s subsided a bit, I can feel them, and yes, they are sore. Also the skin is getting darker right down to my waist, so you can really see where the rads area was. The bra band is irritating, and I only wear it to work. Also I get a bit sore if I lie on that side in bed, but nothing to what it used to be. The oncologist said something vague about it being effect of radiotherapy on my ribs, so if I let myself I can really panic about it. I’m sorry this is a bit negative about rads but I find information about downsides comes dribbling out with each appointment. So, it mostly goes with me moaning about something and the reply “oh that’ll be the radiotherapy”!! I have cording - “that’ll be the radiotherapy”!! I’m tired - that’ll be the radiotherapy. If it isn’t the rads its the arimidex. However, I do understand that I needed it, and things are better than last year, so I think very slowly things settle down. I hope you get the sore bit checked out, and find that its just one of those rads related things, rather than any need to start worrying again.K x
hi mexico iv had a couple of bone scans for bone pains mostly in my ribs… radiotherapy can cause fractures… but can be numerous reasons even just a new bra digging in etc… in the pre breatst cancer days you would say oh thats just my bra digging in… now we automatically go ‘omg its cancer’ when the rational bit of brain is saying dont be daft.
get it checked and if its sore take some pain killers to see if that helps.
Lulu xx
Hi I have not had any radiotherapy yet and only 1x FEC but I do have pain in my lower ribs on the side of me wle-i dont see my onc until FEC X3 so do you think I should make an appt with my G.P or if not who else should I ask?I don’t want to feel paranoid or waste anyones time it’s just getting harder to go sleep on that side and I feel “bruised” and tender.Any advice would be welcome either on the forum or via pm -thanks
Marie x
I am over 4 years on from rads and for at least 2 years I had stabbing pains in my 2 bottom ribs (to the point that one night I jumped and shouted “ow!” with fright in the cinema). I still feel a slight tenderness in the bottom one from time to time. When I spoke to the oncologist she told me that as a general rule of thumb any pain lasting more than 2 weeks should be investigated, especially if it keeps you awake during the night. I’ve also been told that pain the bone sometimes feels like a tapping sensation.
Hi Cherub
Thanks for the advice.I spoke to a nurse on chemo ward on friday and she said it may possibly be from surgery but I had my last surgery on April 20th and had no pain til a week ago so I am not sure-she also advised me to see my GP but am having FEC X2 on monday so probably won’t feel human enough until at least friday.I still wake up if I roll on that side but will try and be positive and I will let you know what he says.
Thanks
Thanks so much for all your responses…your advice really helps cos sometimes I do feel alone in all this…I am due to have a bone scan this friday so fingers crossed theres nothing sinister to report back. I am so nervous about having it done though.
All the very best to you all…lovely ladies.
luv n hugs ((xx))
xxxxx
Good luck with the scan Mexico. Fingers crossed for you.
J xx
Hiya-went for FEC X2 today and advised to see G.P re soreness to ribs ,he saw me tonight and said he thinks it is some sort of soft tissue soreness and has given me co codamol and see how i feel next week .Chemo nurse is also going to speak to onc and ring me so i am feeling a bit more positive -hope you are all ok
Good luck mexico hope bone scan goes wellxx
hi mumof3girls and Jan…had bone scan yesterday, full body and a close up/intense view of my ribs too…so fingers crossed all will be ok and its just from the rads…i pray it is just that…thanks for your well wishes ladies. you take care too - sending you love n light xxx
All the best Mexico Ive my fingers crossed its just the rads
lots of love
Mekala x
Hi Mexico
Sending you love I hope it’s the rads too.
Thinking of you. Huge hugs.
Jan xxxx
Hi Mexico -thanks for letting us know.My fingers(and everything else!)are crossed for you -when do you get the results?
I am not in so much pain re ribs since being prescribed cocodamol but am only on FECX2 and had no rads as yet so still hoping its just soft tissue from previous 2 ps in April -see the onc on 12th so will find out then i guess,
love and hugs
Marie x