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Painful Ribs after Radiation
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MNAtlanta posted:
Saw my Rad Onc today and mentioned the tender ribs I have on the side that had radiation. As predicted, she said she never really heard of that as a side effect. I went on to mention the Mayo Clinic site which lists it as a rare side effect and told her of all the women on the forum that had experienced this.

My doctor then admitted that two patients (not hers but in the practice) had experienced cracked ribs. She maintains that I pulled a muscle and is not too concerned. She offered a bone scan but I declined for a watch and wait. I am putting this out of my mind for now

Thank you to everyone for your insights and supports. It means a lot.

MN
3 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Painful Ribs after RadiationSaw my Rad Onc today and mentioned the tender ribs I have on the side that had radiation. As predicted, she said she never really heard of that as a side effect. I went on to mention the Mayo Clinic site which lists it as a rare side effect and told her of all the women on the forum that had experienced this.<br /><br />My doctor then admitted that two patients (not hers but in the practice) had experienced cracked ribs. She maintains that I pulled a muscle and is not too concerned. She offered a bone scan but I declined for a watch and wait. I am putting this out of my mind for now <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0"><br /><br />Thank you to everyone for your insights and supports. It means a lot.<br /><br />MN
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mhall6252 responded:
My Rad Onc (the chair at Dana Farber) told me I had about a 50% chance of spontaneous cracked ribs as a result of my radiation treatments. Your RO is not being totally honest!

Hopefully it will fade over time and you'll be pain-free.

Hugs,
Michelle
Michelle
Read my blog at www.mch-breastcancer.blogspot.com
Smile and the world smiles with you!
Report This| Share this:Painful Ribs after RadiationMy Rad Onc (the chair at Dana Farber) told me I had about a 50% chance of spontaneous cracked ribs as a result of my radiation treatments. Your RO is not being totally honest!<br /> <br />Hopefully it will fade over time and you'll be pain-free.<br /> <br />Hugs,<br />Michelle
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Rachael67 responded:
I am fuming once again....Either too many docs are deliberately not giving the whole story (See how nicely I avoided the word "LIE"?!!), or they are totally inept! Wonder which observation they would prefer???!!

Shame on any doctor (Especially those whose speciality is radiation!) for being so illinformed!! I am so glad that you went in armed with research!

As far as the pain being attributed only to cracks, I think that is rather limited. Most of those whom I know are like myself and do not have cracks or breaks, but rather a feeling of tenderness and bruising. And, again it is my understanding, that may be a reminder for us for all our lives.

I think for now at least you did well to decline the bone scan. Speak with others on your medical team about this and get their input as well.

Blessings.
Rachael
A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer; it sings because it has a song.
Maya Angelou
Report This| Share this:Painful Ribs after RadiationI am fuming once again....Either too many docs are deliberately not giving the whole story (See how nicely I avoided the word "LIE"?!!), or they are totally inept! Wonder which observation they would prefer???!!<br /> <br />Shame on any doctor (Especially those whose speciality is radiation!) for being so illinformed!! I am so glad that you went in armed with research!<br /> <br />As far as the pain being attributed only to cracks, I think that is rather limited. Most of those whom I know are like myself and do not have cracks or breaks, but rather a feeling of tenderness and bruising. And, again it is my understanding, that may be a reminder for us for all our lives.<br /> <br />I think for now at least you did well to decline the bone scan. Speak with others on your medical team about this and get their input as well.<br /> <br />Blessings.<br />Rachael
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MNAtlanta replied to Rachael67's response:
Thank you both for this support. You lifted such a weight from me knowing that this is something others experience. I would have made myself crazy with worry for sure.

My discomfort (not really pain) is just as you describe in being tender and feels bruised and it doesn't always hurt so i am going to wait it out for a bit.

Much love and thanks to you
Report This| Share this:Painful Ribs after RadiationThank you both for this support. You lifted such a weight from me knowing that this is something others experience. I would have made myself crazy with worry for sure.<br /><br />My discomfort (not really pain) is just as you describe in being tender and feels bruised and it doesn't always hurt so i am going to wait it out for a bit. <br /><br />Much love and thanks to you <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0">
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