UPDATE-->Question: Swollen Breast and Pink Skin with Pains, Normal?

LoveBabyJesus
LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
edited November 2011 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi lovely ladies!

I feel like I'm going crazy! I finished radiation towards the end of Aug. and did my mammo last month - ouch! My question is, is it normal to have pulling pains on the side of surgery (I had a lumpectomy)? My breast is swollen and the skin is pink/red with signs of rash? The pains come and go. As a reminder I was dx with invasive ductal carcinoma. Calling my Dr. tomorrow to ask, but I suspect they will say is normal, which is great. But I was just wondering if any of you had experienced similar symptoms. And how long it took you to heal from lumpectomy, with radiation (with or without chemo). My surgery was back in February with re-excision.

Thanks for your feedback!
«13

Comments

  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #2
    Is....
    This something new? If so ,go see your physician...I, just today, started a new med for nerve damage in my breasts.....

    Let us know what you find out ....
    Hugs, Nancy
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #3
    I am glad first of all to
    I am glad first of all to know that you are calling your doctor tomorrow. I didn't have any pulling pains, but, you have to remember that it takes awhile for your body to heal from any surgery. Sometimes it is the nerve endings trying to rejuvenate that might cause a strange feeling, even a pain.

    Your breast being swollen could be from rads. Mine got swollen too. I don't know about the pink/red. I kept using my creams for months after I finished rads too since I knew that my breast was still cooking. It hasn't been long for you.

    My rads oncologist told me it can take up to a year for the side effects of rads to dissipate. I know, not too encouraging, but, your breast has gone thru so much that it just takes some time.

    Be sure and let us know what your doctor says. I had a rash during rads, but, not after.

    Good luck!
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #4
    susie09 said:

    I am glad first of all to
    I am glad first of all to know that you are calling your doctor tomorrow. I didn't have any pulling pains, but, you have to remember that it takes awhile for your body to heal from any surgery. Sometimes it is the nerve endings trying to rejuvenate that might cause a strange feeling, even a pain.

    Your breast being swollen could be from rads. Mine got swollen too. I don't know about the pink/red. I kept using my creams for months after I finished rads too since I knew that my breast was still cooking. It hasn't been long for you.

    My rads oncologist told me it can take up to a year for the side effects of rads to dissipate. I know, not too encouraging, but, your breast has gone thru so much that it just takes some time.

    Be sure and let us know what your doctor says. I had a rash during rads, but, not after.

    Good luck!

    Good luck at your doctor's
    Good luck at your doctor's today. I hope he can help you and update us.


    Hugs, Diane
  • robang13
    robang13 Member Posts: 333
    #5
    If you remember, I've had
    If you remember, I've had this issue 3 times already since my surgery in Feb. All 3 times it was an infection or re-occurrence of cellulitis. The breast was swollen, reddish, hot to the touch with stabbing pains that come and go. Oh and also a rash.I just, well still am, having another infection. I am on cipro for 10 days and it is slowly clearing up. the rash is gone and the pains are almost gone. What did your doctor say it was? If you don't like his answer please get a second opinion. If it is an infection and you don't get it cleared up, it will get worse and get to the point of fevers and chills. That happened to me twice because I ignored the signs feeling it was "normal" to have them.
    Let me know how you are doing and what your doctor said.

    Angela
  • GMcD
    GMcD Member Posts: 134
    #6
    robang13 said:

    If you remember, I've had
    If you remember, I've had this issue 3 times already since my surgery in Feb. All 3 times it was an infection or re-occurrence of cellulitis. The breast was swollen, reddish, hot to the touch with stabbing pains that come and go. Oh and also a rash.I just, well still am, having another infection. I am on cipro for 10 days and it is slowly clearing up. the rash is gone and the pains are almost gone. What did your doctor say it was? If you don't like his answer please get a second opinion. If it is an infection and you don't get it cleared up, it will get worse and get to the point of fevers and chills. That happened to me twice because I ignored the signs feeling it was "normal" to have them.
    Let me know how you are doing and what your doctor said.

    Angela

    Hi. I've been out of
    Hi. I've been out of treatment for 16 months and have had 2 bouts with cellulitis. The first time was just 6 mos from finishing rads and I thought it was after effects and didn't worry about it, however on my routine checkup with gyno, she diagnoed it. It's best to get it checked as it is true, it doesn't go away without treatment. Hope all goes well for you.

    Gayle
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #7
    robang13 said:

    If you remember, I've had
    If you remember, I've had this issue 3 times already since my surgery in Feb. All 3 times it was an infection or re-occurrence of cellulitis. The breast was swollen, reddish, hot to the touch with stabbing pains that come and go. Oh and also a rash.I just, well still am, having another infection. I am on cipro for 10 days and it is slowly clearing up. the rash is gone and the pains are almost gone. What did your doctor say it was? If you don't like his answer please get a second opinion. If it is an infection and you don't get it cleared up, it will get worse and get to the point of fevers and chills. That happened to me twice because I ignored the signs feeling it was "normal" to have them.
    Let me know how you are doing and what your doctor said.

    Angela

    Did you contact your
    Did you contact your oncologist? What did he say? Praying for you!


    Sue :)
  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    #8
    Dr.'s appt. tomorrow
    Thank you all for your responses.

    I am going to see my radiation Dr. tomorrow. My Onco always says things are normal. My surgeon brushes me off. But I love my radiation team so tomorrow they asked me to come in first thing in the AM. They asked if I had a fever. They want to make sure there is no infection. So I'll let you know what they say.

    Hugs
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #9
    LoveBabyJesus said:

    Dr.'s appt. tomorrow
    Thank you all for your responses.

    I am going to see my radiation Dr. tomorrow. My Onco always says things are normal. My surgeon brushes me off. But I love my radiation team so tomorrow they asked me to come in first thing in the AM. They asked if I had a fever. They want to make sure there is no infection. So I'll let you know what they say.

    Hugs

    Good! Glad you got in to
    Good! Glad you got in to see your rads oncologist. Post so we know what he says.

    Good luck,

    Diane
  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    #10
    cellulitis
    Hi beautiful ladies!

    Saw my rad dr. today, well a different one since mine in on vacation. He thinks it's cellulitis - an infection - so he put me on antibiotics for 10 days, 4 times daily, clyndamycin. I am scheduled to see my rad. Dr. on Tuesday to see if she wants to do a sono and confirm if there's liquid inside the breast that needs to be drained. I can't believe this developed after almost 8 months! Is it possible?

    It hurts. It feel weird (a lot of scar tissue), it's still red and swollen. Weird. Just glad I got some meds to start with.

    I'll keep you all updated about how I do on Tuesday. Wish me luck!
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #11
    LoveBabyJesus said:

    cellulitis
    Hi beautiful ladies!

    Saw my rad dr. today, well a different one since mine in on vacation. He thinks it's cellulitis - an infection - so he put me on antibiotics for 10 days, 4 times daily, clyndamycin. I am scheduled to see my rad. Dr. on Tuesday to see if she wants to do a sono and confirm if there's liquid inside the breast that needs to be drained. I can't believe this developed after almost 8 months! Is it possible?

    It hurts. It feel weird (a lot of scar tissue), it's still red and swollen. Weird. Just glad I got some meds to start with.

    I'll keep you all updated about how I do on Tuesday. Wish me luck!

    Oh Sweet One...
    So sorry you're dealing with something else....if it's not one thing, it's another....grrrrrr.....glad you went to the doctor and hopefully the antibiotics clear it up pronto!

    Hugs,
    Nancy
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #12
    LoveBabyJesus said:

    cellulitis
    Hi beautiful ladies!

    Saw my rad dr. today, well a different one since mine in on vacation. He thinks it's cellulitis - an infection - so he put me on antibiotics for 10 days, 4 times daily, clyndamycin. I am scheduled to see my rad. Dr. on Tuesday to see if she wants to do a sono and confirm if there's liquid inside the breast that needs to be drained. I can't believe this developed after almost 8 months! Is it possible?

    It hurts. It feel weird (a lot of scar tissue), it's still red and swollen. Weird. Just glad I got some meds to start with.

    I'll keep you all updated about how I do on Tuesday. Wish me luck!

    So sorry about this. Hoping
    So sorry about this. Hoping and praying that the antibiotics will clear it up.


    Hugs and good luck Tuesday!


    Angie
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #13
    Angie2U said:

    So sorry about this. Hoping
    So sorry about this. Hoping and praying that the antibiotics will clear it up.


    Hugs and good luck Tuesday!


    Angie

    I am also wishing you the
    I am also wishing you the best of luck with your appointment tomorrow. I hope your infection is a lot better.


    Hugs, Kylez
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #14
    Kylez said:

    I am also wishing you the
    I am also wishing you the best of luck with your appointment tomorrow. I hope your infection is a lot better.


    Hugs, Kylez

    How did your appt. go today?
    How did your appt. go today?
  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    #15
    Today
    Thanks for checking in with me - this is why I love you all.

    My rad Dr. suggests I finish the antibiotics before doing anything else. She says it takes a long time for cellulitis to heal - that it is common with lumpectomies for the breast to to behave in this way. My other Dr. suggested a sono to make sure there is no liquid inside that needs to be drained, but after today's appt., they both decided to wait a few more weeks to see it it improves.

    My breast is definitely less angry (as the Dr. stated), but it still red and hurts from time to time.

    I guess I'll wait a week and see. Will keep you updated.

    Thank you sisters!
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #16
    LoveBabyJesus said:

    Today
    Thanks for checking in with me - this is why I love you all.

    My rad Dr. suggests I finish the antibiotics before doing anything else. She says it takes a long time for cellulitis to heal - that it is common with lumpectomies for the breast to to behave in this way. My other Dr. suggested a sono to make sure there is no liquid inside that needs to be drained, but after today's appt., they both decided to wait a few more weeks to see it it improves.

    My breast is definitely less angry (as the Dr. stated), but it still red and hurts from time to time.

    I guess I'll wait a week and see. Will keep you updated.

    Thank you sisters!

    Sounds like good advice!
    Sounds like good advice! Let the antibiotics run their course and hopefully you will be just fine then.


    Thanks for letting us know.


    Hugs, Jan
  • sinee
    sinee Member Posts: 196 Member
    #17
    still red and still swollen
    Yes I had a lumpectomy too, and still have one swollen breast, pulling pain, needle like prickly pains too. My raidation also ended in August, my surgery was in April...seeing my massage therapist helped reduce the swelling, because she was able to move the fluid along. I missed seeing her for 2 weeks and am swollen up again...looking forward to seeing her on Thursday, will keep you posted~but always talk to the docs...if it is "normal" why the hell don't they tell us what to expect in the first place...arghhhh....Sinee
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #18
    survivorbc09 said:

    Sounds like good advice!
    Sounds like good advice! Let the antibiotics run their course and hopefully you will be just fine then.


    Thanks for letting us know.


    Hugs, Jan

    Hoping the antibiotics will
    Hoping the antibiotics will clear this up for you!


    Hugs, Diane
  • GMcD
    GMcD Member Posts: 134
    #19
    sinee said:

    still red and still swollen
    Yes I had a lumpectomy too, and still have one swollen breast, pulling pain, needle like prickly pains too. My raidation also ended in August, my surgery was in April...seeing my massage therapist helped reduce the swelling, because she was able to move the fluid along. I missed seeing her for 2 weeks and am swollen up again...looking forward to seeing her on Thursday, will keep you posted~but always talk to the docs...if it is "normal" why the hell don't they tell us what to expect in the first place...arghhhh....Sinee

    Hi. I am now being treated
    Hi. I am now being treated for my third bout with cellulitis and I'm out of rads for 16 months. I was scared this time as I not only had the pains but itchiness and a spot on my nipple that was slightly indented and flaky. Had an emergency mammo and ultrasound today..all clear, but cellulitis again. The doc added more antibiotic treatment this time around. Hope everyone is feeling better. I know I feel better knowing I haven't developed a secondary cancer.
  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    #20
    GMcD said:

    Hi. I am now being treated
    Hi. I am now being treated for my third bout with cellulitis and I'm out of rads for 16 months. I was scared this time as I not only had the pains but itchiness and a spot on my nipple that was slightly indented and flaky. Had an emergency mammo and ultrasound today..all clear, but cellulitis again. The doc added more antibiotic treatment this time around. Hope everyone is feeling better. I know I feel better knowing I haven't developed a secondary cancer.

    I guess it's pretty common then to have these things. So sorry this is your third and after so many months! I'm glad it wasn't anything serious. I hope you feel better very soon.
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #21
    LoveBabyJesus said:

    I guess it's pretty common then to have these things. So sorry this is your third and after so many months! I'm glad it wasn't anything serious. I hope you feel better very soon.

    I didn't know anything about
    I didn't know anything about this until I read your post. I hope that all of you get this cleared up.


    Hugs, Kylez

Discussion Boards