Experiencing Pain After Breast Cancer Treatment: Seeking Insights

Hi there. Hope you’re feeling better today. Not knowing your history/surgery my immediate thought would be muscle spasms. I have scar tissue over rib cage and sporadically get spasms which honestly take my breath away. After scans came back with no new information as to why (I have bone Mets in my ribs, and was concerned these were the culprit) it was determined that prior surgery and radiation had created scar tissue limiting movement. my Onc put me on a muscle relaxant called Methocarbomol, and that gave such relief. Since then I stretch more, increased range in motion and watched my posture. It didn’t help that I also had prior issues with bursitis in my left shoulder, and that actually became worse before it became better during this time. (Since then have discovered that things like frozen shoulder/shoulder issues are common with BC survivors who underwent surgery, chemo and radiation) So maybe, just maybe you could be experiencing something similar(?)

Hi Laara, and thanks for your response. A little bit about my history is I was diagnosed in 2021 with stage IV TNBC. I’ve done chemo radiation, and lumpectomy. I do have back spasms due to a L3-L4 degenerative disc, which I take a muscle relaxer for. And I do have scar tissue damage for the radiation to my breast. I have a scan scheduled for next week.

Hoping you can get some relief and insight (and peace of mind) with your upcoming scans. I was also dx stage IV in 2021 after being 4.5 years in remission from stage 2 in 2016. My aches and pains from this have launched me on an odyssey. I was also dx with RA in 2023, and am trying to control with medication and diet to control inflammation. It’s tricky to figure out what causes what and why, but you’re doing the right thing by speaking up and getting it investigated. Wishing you health. :)

Thank you, and I wish you the same.

Experience of fulvistrent injection

Pain during surveillance can feel especially concerning when dealing with the uncertainty of potential recurrence. Many community members find it helpful to document their symptoms and discuss them thoroughly with their care team, as there can be various causes for post-treatment discomfort that aren't necessarily related to cancer returning.