If you’re in remission from breast cancer…

[MinnieMountain]

… do you ever get aches just in the general area that you had radiotherapy in?

I take tamoxifen, I’m up to date with my mammograms and I have been reassured by a consultant that it’s hormonal. It just feels disconcerting.

Yes, I do. Finished radio 2.5 years ago after radical mastectomy and LN removal but still get pains in the area. I've got proper sore bits that have never gone away and I get the odd blister/sore that erupts for no reason. The BC nurse said....if it's not gone after 2 years, you're stuck with it and it's probably a bit of neuropathy. Cheers.
Hope yours sorts itself out x 💐

That’s reassuring @Lifestooshort71 . I mean 2 consultants have told me it’s fine but it also feels better to hear from someone who’s got it too.

I finished my radiotherapy in November 2018, so looks like the aches are here to stay, along with the skin discolouration.

In remission since 2013, it can feel a bit tight (possibly because I wasn't told about the stretching exercises after surgery), and now and again feel a niggle or small shooting pain. It has got better over time. Also part of it near my armpit has been numb since surgery, despite being told the feeling would come back.

Yes. Particulary the area over my ribs, it always feels bruised. Knowing breast cancer likes bones, it had me worried. But I've had an MRI and a contrast CT to check, absolutely nothing there, just side effects from RT. I also have a near perfect square of tan!

I did a moving forwards course through Breast Cancer Now, and a lot of the women there had similar experiences. Stiff shoulder joint (physio/massage can help), bone pain, skin issues, recurrent infections. Sad to know so many people get these side effects for months or longer, but a relief to know I wasn't alone.

My boob still feels lumpy and sore. I had a lumpectomy in August 2021, chemo then radiotherapy ending in March 2022. I can't lie on my right side and my scar itches and tingles which I presume is nerve damage.

It's a constant reminder that my body won't ever be the way it was.

I had treatment in 2021 / 2022 and delayed diep 2024 plus Tamoxifen. Chemo put me in menopause. Don't think I have any long term impact from radiotherapy though so many treatments hard to tell what causes what especially with menopause on top. I have been left with a numb / tingling feeling since chemo down half my face which has been CT scanned and clear so would guess its neuropathy. No itchiness and scars healed well. Since second DIEP very little numbness, nerves reconnected which is rare but improved things a lot for me. After mastectomy had numbness is chest and under arm, both have now gone. Aches and pains - Muscle ache will get after gardening etc but would say that's normal exercise ache. Bone ache I can get in hips and ribs - the ribs seems to be connected to when I have muscle ache, so may I am pulling something gardening or if I feel tense. Hips I had even before the cancer and say if I walk for 2 hours my hips will then hurt, can hurt at night, not painkiller level hurt. Generally I can lie on both sides. Sometimes I feel like my bones are getting weak like they could just collapse in a heap like in a cartoon but fitness level is good - do about 5 hours exercise a week.

I raised the bone pain with my oncologist and she is doing a bone scan. I don't think its cancer back, might be osteoporosis or might just be me overdoing it and poor posture in the garden esp after DIEP last September, I sometimes do 9 hours a week in garden. I think they are more concerned if its new. I also find vitamins help which is reassuring. It is hard to know and generally I leave things like this a month or so to see if go naturally.