shoulder pain

BigCinCA

I had a bilateral mastectomy in October with immediate reconstruction, followed by tissue expanders, then the replacement surgery in January. I completed six weeks of physical therapy for cording on my left arm (ulnar nerve) in May. I still have intense and constant shoulder pain, but the cording is gone. It is worse in the mornings, but doesn't improve much over the day. I have been told I will not develop lymphedema because I only had sentinel node biopsy and no radiation. But what is this shoulder pain? I can't seem to get an answer. Has anyone had this experience, would massage therapy help? If so, what kind? Any help would be appreciated.

seof

My guess
My guess would be that the shoulder pain is just part of the healing process. Your upper body has been through a lot and your muscles have had to adjust to new ways of moving. I would advise finding a physical therapist and/or massage therapist who is familiar with cancer patients. But....all this is just a guess. I am not a Doctor. Be sure to ask your Doctor about all of this.

I hope this is helpful. seof

BigCinCA

seof said:

My guess
My guess would be that the shoulder pain is just part of the healing process. Your upper body has been through a lot and your muscles have had to adjust to new ways of moving. I would advise finding a physical therapist and/or massage therapist who is familiar with cancer patients. But....all this is just a guess. I am not a Doctor. Be sure to ask your Doctor about all of this.

I hope this is helpful. seof

Thank you for your answer. I
Thank you for your answer. I guess like a lot of others who post I just needed some kind of validation so that I don't think I am going crazy. I start to think that way because it just doesn't go away. But your answer makes sense! Thanks!

Aortus

BigCinCA said:

Thank you for your answer. I
Thank you for your answer. I guess like a lot of others who post I just needed some kind of validation so that I don't think I am going crazy. I start to think that way because it just doesn't go away. But your answer makes sense! Thanks!

One-stop validation shop
This place is amazing. My beloved Moopy and I arrived here in January with nothing but confusion and questions and concern. We found nothing but answers, love, and support.

Don't worry about going crazy, either. Nobody ever goes crazy around here, because we're all already there!

Best,
Joe

lynn1950

Shoulder pain
I had cording, too. I didn't know physical therapy would relieve it. My surgery was in April of '08 and the cording is now gone. I developed shoulder pain on that same side, my cancer side, last winter. Unlike you, I had 14 nodes removed and I had radiation, so I do have mild lymphedema.

I thought the shoulder pain was brought on by overuse (swimming). This spring I had physical therapy, but not by someone who specializes with mastectomy patients, since I live in a very rural area. The intensity of the pain varies. My physical therapist feels I need to return to a specialist, which I haven't done. I will be interested to see what others have experienced and am glad you posted. Lynn

BigCinCA

lynn1950 said:

Shoulder pain
I had cording, too. I didn't know physical therapy would relieve it. My surgery was in April of '08 and the cording is now gone. I developed shoulder pain on that same side, my cancer side, last winter. Unlike you, I had 14 nodes removed and I had radiation, so I do have mild lymphedema.

I thought the shoulder pain was brought on by overuse (swimming). This spring I had physical therapy, but not by someone who specializes with mastectomy patients, since I live in a very rural area. The intensity of the pain varies. My physical therapist feels I need to return to a specialist, which I haven't done. I will be interested to see what others have experienced and am glad you posted. Lynn

Shoulder Pain
Thanks for your insight! When it first started I honestly thought I must have pulled a muscle, or slept on that side wrong. But I have never had this kind of muscle ache for so long. Of course I had some lymph nodes removed just to check, and I also wonder if being left-handed isn't helping any because the problems are on my left side - the cancer side.

Any ideas on how to look for a PT who specializes in mastectomy problems?

Some times I feel I should just live with this, I know this sounds strange but I feel guilty in a way that "all" I had was a bilateral. I haven't had to deal with radiation or chemo, I only had DCIS. I know that sounds crazy, loosing my boobs is no picnic! Anyhow thanks! (By the way - you were a beautiful bride!) Helen

dmc_emmy

Aortus said:

One-stop validation shop
This place is amazing. My beloved Moopy and I arrived here in January with nothing but confusion and questions and concern. We found nothing but answers, love, and support.

Don't worry about going crazy, either. Nobody ever goes crazy around here, because we're all already there!

Best,
Joe

Ahhh...
Moopy, I couldn't help but post. Your man, Joe, sounds like a real keeper. You are so lucky to have him by your side. Just looking at the pix of the two of you makes me smile. dmc

Jeanne D

BigCinCA said:

Shoulder Pain
Thanks for your insight! When it first started I honestly thought I must have pulled a muscle, or slept on that side wrong. But I have never had this kind of muscle ache for so long. Of course I had some lymph nodes removed just to check, and I also wonder if being left-handed isn't helping any because the problems are on my left side - the cancer side.

Any ideas on how to look for a PT who specializes in mastectomy problems?

Some times I feel I should just live with this, I know this sounds strange but I feel guilty in a way that "all" I had was a bilateral. I haven't had to deal with radiation or chemo, I only had DCIS. I know that sounds crazy, loosing my boobs is no picnic! Anyhow thanks! (By the way - you were a beautiful bride!) Helen

Hi Helen!
I wanted to welcome you Helen! The survivors on here are amazing, so,

ask away. Someone will be able to answer your question. Your body is probably still

healing, but, if you are truly concerned, call your oncologist and tell him about it. Being

concerned about a pain is very smart and being alert to changes in your body. I hope that

you feel better soon and find out why you are having the pain. Please let us know when you

do. Good luck! Jeanne

lynn1950

BigCinCA said:

Shoulder Pain
Thanks for your insight! When it first started I honestly thought I must have pulled a muscle, or slept on that side wrong. But I have never had this kind of muscle ache for so long. Of course I had some lymph nodes removed just to check, and I also wonder if being left-handed isn't helping any because the problems are on my left side - the cancer side.

Any ideas on how to look for a PT who specializes in mastectomy problems?

Some times I feel I should just live with this, I know this sounds strange but I feel guilty in a way that "all" I had was a bilateral. I haven't had to deal with radiation or chemo, I only had DCIS. I know that sounds crazy, loosing my boobs is no picnic! Anyhow thanks! (By the way - you were a beautiful bride!) Helen

I'm the mom in the picture.
Helen, The girl in white is my daughter. Thanks for the compliment. Lynn

jnl

Helen, it is probably just
Helen, it is probably just healing. But see your doctor if you are worried! Good luck!

BigCinCA

Thank you all!
I just wanted to give a big thank you to everyone! I just saw my primary Friday and she is sending me back for more physical therapy. I know that this is just going to take time. It is so nice to have a place to come to for these questions. Thank you again! Helen

Noel

BigCinCA said:

Thank you all!
I just wanted to give a big thank you to everyone! I just saw my primary Friday and she is sending me back for more physical therapy. I know that this is just going to take time. It is so nice to have a place to come to for these questions. Thank you again! Helen

Helen, I am glad you got to
Helen, I am glad you got to see your doctor. And, glad it can be solved with some more physical therapy. I wish you good luck!

DianeBC

BigCinCA said:

Thank you all!
I just wanted to give a big thank you to everyone! I just saw my primary Friday and she is sending me back for more physical therapy. I know that this is just going to take time. It is so nice to have a place to come to for these questions. Thank you again! Helen

Helen, just give yourself
Helen, just give yourself time to heal. Sometimes it takes awhile. Good luck!