Pain
Hi! I’m a 17 year survivor. Had chemo, double mastectomy, implant reconstruction and radiation. I have pain in my chest near my sternum every morning when I wake up. It goes from front to back. It goes away during the morning but comes back early the next morning. Wakes me up and makes it hard to sleep. I’ve seen multiple drs including a cardiologist, plastics, rheumatologist, pain management and did PT. No one could help. Has anyone experienced anything like this and could share some insights on what they figured out?
I am not on any post cancer meds. I just feel this has something g to do with reconstruction and my chest wall but no one can corroborate.
Thank you!!
I’m sorry you are experiencing this. I wonder if it is an effect of radiation, since we know that there can be late effects. But I’m also wondering if there is any chance it could be nighttime heartburn? You mentioned that it bothers you in the night (when you’re lying down) and goes away in the morning (when you’re standing up.) Have you looked into acid reflux or GERD?
I hope you get relief!! That’s not anyone’s favorite way to start the day!
Thank you for your reply. I have tried heartburn meds but to no avail. It is a different pain from a burning too. Feels like what I imagine if someone were trying to push so hard on my chest to crack my sternum but I’ve had no trauma there either…besides the historical BRCA stuff.
I am a 2 time breast cancer survivor (1992 and 1998). First time lumpectomy w/iridium implants for 36 hours/ 29 nodes taken from right arm pit, followed with 28 external rad treatments. 2nd time (1998) had bilateral mastectomy with an attached TRAM FLAP (before microsurgery available). Never did chemo. In the last 5 years I started experiencing rib pain under the radiated breast area that sometimes extends out as far as my side. No doctor has been able to explain it. Hypothesis possibilities are rib degeneration from all the radiation to that area or arthritis. No one seems interested in figuring it out. I tune it out during the day, but getting to sleep is problematic. I take Tylenol and rub on some bengay which helps me get to sleep. Typically it doesn't wake me up the rest of the night. I take enough drugs I really don't want more, so this seems like a non-drug, non-surgical intervention for now. BYW...I'm 72 now and non-cancer drs don't take as much interest in aches/pains unless they can make $s off a prescription. 33 years and still kicking! Hope you find relief, even if 1 day at a time... 🙂
@buttercup thank you for your reply and support! I’m sorry to hear of your pain and the frustration concerning drs overlooking the pain. My pain at least goes away during the day so I am fortunate it doesn’t affect my falling asleep. Always a bright side!
Thanks again and best wishes to you!