Has anyone else experienced long term shoulder pain after breast cancer surgery?
Hello. I’ve had long term shoulder /upper arm pain in both shoulders after different types of breast cancer and surgery in each breast about 12 months apart. One had radiotherapy but other didn’t. I do all my recommended exercises every day - only missed 10 days in over 2 years. Might you share any stories and experiences you have about getting shoulder pain after surgery /radiotherapy and what you’ve found helpful in dealing with it?
Good evening
, I hate to hear you are having long term pain. I am not currently experiencing any shoulder pain but when I did seek additional help after the exercises the physical therapist gave me as homework years ago were not doing the trick. I don't know if you have looked into acupuncture or if that is something you are interested in but that did help me some. My oncologist suggested it, maybe have a chat with yours if you can?
Hopefully other community members will chime in with additional advice and support.
Talk to you soon! Have a lovely night!
Best, Mallory (Team Member)Many thanks Mallory. I wondered if this is a common problem?
Hi
, I hope you are having a wonderful day! I couldn't say but I do think people experience can shoulder pain from "this or that" but I guess it would depend on the specific cause. Have you expressed this pain to your doctors or physical therapist? I know it's tough when your in pain but hopefully you'll find a solution that resolves the pain soon.
Please keep us updated.
Best,
Mallory (Team Member)I had breast cancer surgery and radiation. A few years afterward, I started having really bad (affected side) shoulder pain. Long story short, it turned out to be a torn rotator cuff. It was extremely painful. I had heard other "thrivers" mention shoulder issues and polled some of them. My very informal polling leads me to believe that the risk for torn rotator cuff seems to be remarkably elevated in breast cancer survivors. Most of us have had surgery, radiation, and an array of drugs. Some of us have developed lymphedema. It is not surprising that perhaps our shoulders have been impacted. (I would love to see a study!) At any rate, once I convinced my doctors to take my complaints seriously, I had an MRI and, later, managed to get a steroid injection. The injection has remarkably improved my shoulder pain and quality of life. My impression is that some doctors and health insurance plans follow up with physical therapy. My plan has refused to pay for it. I hope you have luck addressing your shoulder pain!
that is such an interesting poll that you did. And, of course, now that it's all laid out there, it does make sense that shoulder issues are not surprising. It certainly would be interesting to see a study about that!
I'm so glad that you were able to convince your doctors to take your pain seriously and that you've had such an improvement after the steroid injection. Shoulder pain can be very disruptive (and so painful).
We appreciate you sharing your experience with cicely24 and the rest of the community here. I do hope it continues to improve and heal.
Sending gentle hugs. -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)
