Radiation Fibrosis Side Effect - What You Need to Know

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Here's a summary of what worked best to treat this - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fInMp5yhmbF8pK8

[@nefertitigabby]

Hello! I’m the type of person who likes to know everything about her diagnosis. Doctors don’t necessarily tell you everything idk if it’s not to scare you or simply because they forever or don’t want to. I am a month post lumpectomy and coming across your videos has helped me a lot because I find the answers to the questions doctors haven’t been able to answer. As I stated in other of your videos, I am so glad to find some who trains the way I used to before cancer and that still does after it. Thank you for educating us by sharing your story and your experience, I really appreciate it.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

I was exactly the same…wanting to know everything but frustrated with the lack of information. That’s one of the reasons why I started this channel. The oncologist/surgeon’s primary focus is on the cancer, which makes sense. Return to function will always be secondary. I’m glad to hear the videos have been so helpful!

[@blak3931]

I have watched a few of your vids tonight. I am on the 14th day after rad treatments (16 sessions and told my doc I was done and cant take anymore exposure). I should have sought you out had I known what I was getting into but I blindly took the treatment and thought I can do this… cuz there was no pain during the treatments. Now I started to feel so miserable in the last 5 days and finally found you! I am sooo very grateful for your videos as they helped me lot in understanding what is going on with me. Your explanation is so clear and precise! I appreciate you very much!

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

I appreciate your comments - glad the info has been so helpful. It’s weird that so much of the effects of radiation come when you’re done treatment. I wish I knew more about this beforehand but I would have still done radiation given the upside of reducing recurrence.

[@jennifercampbe8570]

Thank you! After 2 years of searching I finally have a name for what I have been going through post treatment. Like you I have always worked out, biking, skiing yoga … and I had to lower my intensity considerably about 6 mths after treatment when everything in the radiation area started tightening I stretch and do most of these exercises daily. After trying pt, massage,chiropractor and accupuncture, all of which helped temporarily, I finally got a steroid shot to get me through the pain. I am not a quick fix person but this has allowed me to get back to enjoying life, doing the things I love and SLEEPING! I would never do this without all the of and stretching I do! I wanted to throw it out there for anyone with pain above a 6 or so. Thank you again for these videos!

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Thx for sharing your experience. I wasn’t sure what my symptoms were at first too as it’s so different than an injury type of pain. Glad you got some relief.

[@architecturalheritage]

Thank you for the video, I completed my radiation last August, I had fibrosis along the stiching site after surgery and after radiation the shape chaged to a square roundish hard spot under the skin. I recently learned about self massage to help reduce fibrosis. I had breast cancer on the right breast and it looks smaller after radiation than the left breast. I only had reddness during radiation as I have used bipanthen cream straight after each session, no burns. But had difficult swallowing food for about 7-10 days and it went away afterwards.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Thanks for sharing and especially giving so much detail! It’s helpful for other women to read about other thriver experiences. Post a follow-up comment after you’ve done many months of the self-massage for the fibrosis.

[@dijapatrick8845]

You explained this so clearly. It explains everything I'm feeling months after my radiation was completed. Thank you.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Thanks for the feedback. It still surprises me with how many side effects there are post-radiation. Not sure if you watched these already but the strategies to address this are in the Radiation Playlist (2nd half of it) - kzbin.info/aero/PLALVgJH_QhhiBu-YSGlOfhQvdYgMuWWOU

[@carolinaburkholder2509]

WOW!!! THANK YOU!! Clear, easy to understand, and plenty information!

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MsQbecki]

Thank you so much for doing these videos. I truly appreciate you sharing and it helps to know that everything is not textbook and nor will we all experience the same side effects. It seems I've had more pain since I finished radiation in August than I did during treatment. My skin was discolored and that was it. About two weeks after treatment is when I started peeling and more recently tightness and heavy feeling in the breast and upper shoulder/neck pain. Now, I'm focusing on being more consistent with my exercises/massage and moisturizing. I have lymphedema appointment coming up soon. My last appointment, they did some massage to help with the cording.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Glad the videos have been helpful! I'm still surprised with how long side effects last (cording, lymhedema, radiation fibrosis, etc). Good to hear you're getting some hands-on treatment.

[@BJocsak-qc2xt]

Thanks for being open and clearly explaining what happens.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

My pleasure! I wish I knew all this detail beforehand.

[@eugene54547]

Well done on a great video. I am a PT and stretch the radiated side similarly to yourself. It's great that you have taken the time to show these exercises. The exercise sheet from the mater in Dublin does not show effective stretching or strengthening. I'm almost 6 months post radiation. If I dont exs my rt arm, the shoulder immediately hurts and clicks radiating to my neck. Yet again, the body keeps the score. My traumatised rt boob and shoulder area will remind me if I dont strengthen it. Following removal of just 3 lymph nodes, I developed a sarcoma and nerve damage that meant I effectively lost the use of the rt arm for about 8 months. The neural circuitry now has a very recent imprint of this discomfort and lack of movement. This is the circuitry I am now trying to counter with strenthening. Even early stage breast cancer is life altering for many reasons.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Sorry to hear about your seroma and nerve damage. As if getting breast cancer isn't enough! You're exactly right that the strengthening will interup the neural circuitry. You must be grateful to have a PT background to understand this. I also found the rehab strength and stretching recommendations to be pretty basic... which is why I started this channel. Just like you, my shoulder definitely needs consistent movement daily. Keep it up!

[@crystaljohnson1450]

I am a Hyperbaric Nurse. Seek Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for radiation fibrosis (REAL HBOT at an accredited facility, not blow up chambers at a medi-spa). Real treatment includes at least 2 ATA for 90 mins on 100% O2, and usually 40 tx total. I treat radiated pts every day. You must be 6 months post radiation for insurance coverage.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Crystal, thank you for sharing this info! I actually looked into this when my symptoms were at its peak months after radiation but my physiatrist advised me to wait until after reconstruction to reassess my symptoms. Can you share what results you typically see for radiation fibrosis pre-post treatment for women who do HBOT?

[@audreyfoster2313]

I have never heard of this therapy before. Would it be of benefit 4 years after radiation?

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

@audreyfoster2313 Good question - I didn’t pursue this further so I don’t know.

[@crystaljohnson1450]

@audreyfoster2313 Yes. I would definitely give hyperbarics a try, even after 4 years. Again, find an accredited facility. Ask how deep treatments are. I wouldn't go less than 2 atmospheres of pressure. We call those chambers hyper-barely's.

[@crystaljohnson1450]

@@blak3931 Can I ask about the delivery of oxygen? How did you get 100% oxygen during your treatments? And did your chamber zip up?

[@judithlane8235]

Thank you for all your information. It’s been so helpful and more than the doctors and nurses have explained to me. Their information seems to be centered on the actual radiation treatments but not much beyond that. I am four months since end of radiation treatments and starting to feel the soreness and tightness in my right shoulder,neck and back area. I had a lumpectomy and 7 lymph nodes removed from my underarm. Went through the sunburn much the way your pictures showed and itchiness and peeling. That has just finished but I still deal with fluid buildup in lymph nodes. Has been drained several times. Now just a small amount left which I do massage and warm compresses. The part I’m dealing with now is range of motion and discomfort in neck,shoulder and down to almost my waist area. I am on the “ pill” after radiation instead of chemo. Need it for five years. So again I thank you for all the information. I watch any videos that I find of yours.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

I agree - a lot of info is directed to radiation treatment rather than side effects. I had lymphedema too. I'm going to do a video on this at some point. What helped the most was self-lymphatic massage (daily at first), lymphatic massage from a therapist and general myofascial release and LOTS of strength training (which acts like a pump for lymph fluid). For the residual pain these videos may help (if you haven't watched them already) - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z320XoxrfptmhKM - - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGikdp5rpduYfZo - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3mZoX-eqrtrfsU

[@susanwoodward9786]

I'm an 18 year survivor and radiation fibrous effects will be with me the rest of my life, sometimes better, sometimes worse. I get tennis elbow on occasion, and that seems to make all the other symptoms worse.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

I’m 3 years in and have a feeling that I’ll too be experiencing some of these side effects for a while.

[@sandraweber]

Amazing video!! Just sent to several of my massage clients!!! We as massage therapist need to understand these side effects and how we can help!!!

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Thanks for sharing!

[@RenateWaas]

I can not thank you enough - your informations are so valuable and to the point! Grazie mille - tausend Dank - thank you!

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

My pleasure!

[@jessdworak5990]

Thank you for this video! I honestly thought I was the only one experiencing this.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

I hear you! I definitely wish I knew more about what to expect with this side effect after radiation. Not sure if you’ve seen the other videos, but I put together a radiation fibrosis playlist as there’s lots of things that you can do to address this - kzbin.info/aero/PLALVgJH_QhhiBu-YSGlOfhQvdYgMuWWOU&si=B3wCL5on30zW9H44

[@NJeanB]

Thank you. I am facing the decision whether to take it now.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Best of luck deciding! Despite all the side effects I have no regrets doing radiation given the benefits of reducing recurrence.

[@teacherfaq918]

I was waiting for your videos and wanted to contact you. As i just finished my radiation treatment. My skin changes are so much similar to yours. I am having a bit tender muscles over my lower ribs. Thanks to you i have full mobility in my shoulder but my arm trembles some times.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

That’s great that you’ve regained full mobility in your shoulder. Keep it up! Hope your side effects aren’t too significant post-radiation.

[@dorcasg71]

thanks for this information. i am almost 3 years outside of radiation and I probably should go back to PT for the stiffness on the radiated side. I also see if I wear an underwire bra it causes more discomfort with my nerves in my radiated breast and I don't like the way it feels. I swear. BC is the gift that keeps on giving.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

I continue to get maintenance treatment as side-effects don't just end when treatment ends. Sounds like you're experiencing the same thing. I switched to wearing wireless bras post-surgery and have continued that. Something to consider.

[@iRockwthMJ]

This is soooo helpful and comforting. Thank you!! 💝

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

You're so welcome!

[@RachelKanel]

Thank you I can relate to all of this so good to find you and get this info If only we were told what to expect after radiation Still having symptoms after two years but it’s good to know what it is

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

I’m still surprised with how long the fibrosis can last. Even through it’s been 2 years for you, it’s never too late to see improvement! Check out the radiation playlist for the strategies to address this.

[@BarbieBee63]

Thanks for sharing. Just finishing up radiation with 16 treatments of surrounding tissue & lymph nodes and then have 5 boost to lumpectomy site. 3 left of the boost. Tissue damage is pretty close to what you have shown in your other video. I have some on my mid upper back just below neck too. I think trying the bag balm as another has done is a great idea.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

I had a burn on my upper back too but didn't take any photos of this. All the best with the rest of your treatments.

[@laureeniannucci4878]

Great info. Thank you

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.

[@DeannaKoska]

I had radiation on my left side after a lumpectomy. 3 years later I had cancer return and had a double mastectomy. I was not able to start reconstructive surgery right after the mastectomy. It’s been a year since my surgery and on my right side is the radiation fibrosis. Everything is so hard and tight and I can’t seem to get it to loosen up. I watched your videos in August and have been massaging almost every day with very little difference. I don’t know where to go from here. The plastic surgeon won’t start the reconstruction process. Can you direct me to someone or someplace that might be able to help.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

If you have the resources I would highly recommend getting consistent hands-on treatment from a therapist. Radiation fibrosis can be so stubborn so using a few strategies will help you see more progress. I was using MULTIPLE strategies (treatment, self-massage, cupping, stretches, tons of exercise) and didn’t see any change for 3 months….super frustrating but I kept going. By 5-6 months I was seeing more improvement. I’m going to do a video on cupping for radiation fibrosis, which is a more aggressive/deeper than self-massage. This stretching series can help too - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGikdp5rpduYfZo. Keep it up!

[@DeannaKoska]

⁠thank you. I will look into this.

[@annaerika-aesthetic9063]

@user-ww2fp4dp2f Let me ask how old are you and what kind of breast cancer did you have!? That's why I would be very interested in all the details, because you wrote that the tumor came back again. Thank you very much in advance for your help, as detailed as possible. I'm sorry if I wrote something wrong, but I'm Hungarian and with the help of a translator, I often translate incorrectly from one language to another. Unfortunately.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

@annaerika-aesthetic9063 I definitely did NOT say my tumor came back. I was 43 yrs old at diagnosis and had invasive ducal carcinoma stage 2.

[@annaerika-aesthetic9063]

@@breast-cancer-rehab I'm sorry. There is some misunderstanding. A user named @user-ww2fp4dp2f wrote that his tumor had returned. I wrote the question to him.

[@janeababe]

I am 23yrs post radiotherapy. I still have skin blanching over my left chest wall. Sometimes I get terrible muscle craps on my left chest wall, I did develop a radiation induced lung infection almost immediately after my treatment, a severe cough which I needed steroids to clear up. Ever since then, I seem to get a ‘winter cough’ which is extremely annoying and makes my ribs sore from coughing at times. Lasts about 3mths 😢 Sometimes I find I can’t wear a bra (I had reconstruction 3yrs post bilateral mastectomy and treatment) because it makes my rib bones hurt to much. On occasion, I am short of breath. My pleural cavity is gone…burnt away. I had so much radiation it came out the back of my shoulder. Side edge of my heart copped a beating too ….. but I’m still alive! 😊 The coughing is the worse side effect now. Ventolin is non-effective but rilast turbuhaler seems to help a little. I’m often SP02 at the 93%-95% during the cooler months. But 98% in summer 🤷‍♀️ I was 32 then, I’m almost 57 now.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

What a wild ride cancer treatment is and surprising how long side effects can last. I have heard others who’ve had lung symptoms but I never got that. Sorry to hear you’re experiencing that! I did have what you described as a burn that came out the back of my shoulder.

[@amdurney]

Thank you for your video, It was like you were describing everything I have to a T. I too had a double mastectomy, and radiation on the one side. I am struggling with the adherence of tissue melted together basically and so stuck that my neck mobility is becoming very tight and stiff constantly and from middle of shoulders on the back up and down from it. Interesting thing is, it's all connected right? I am currently in pelvic floor therapy for post hysterectomy issues, and when I hold up the radiation arm on my right side, my pelvic floor will not relax. One more thing the radiation is affecting. I am grateful to be here and alive to explain all of this, but it sure has taken its toll.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

So glad you found the video helpful. These side effects came as such a surprise to me as I wasn't told too much about them beforehand. It's somehow reassuring when you know. It's absolutely all connected and it's important to know that - for you and anyone who treats you. I did a ton of rehab along the way but I also got a LOT of treatment - physio, chiropractic/myofascial release, lymphatic massage, deep tissue massage, etc. I'm almost at 3 years since my radiation fibrosis symptoms started. I've seen slow incremental improvement since then but saw a bigger jump in improvement at the 2.5 year mark. Keep at it!

[@shelix222]

Do you think it would have been worth considering not having radiation?

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Good question. Before radiation I was given a little information about side effects...but I really had NO IDEA how significant the effects would be and how long they would last! Deciding to do or not do various parts of cancer treatment (radiation, chemo, etc) is really a personal preference. For myself, I would take the side effects of radiation any day if it means I'm reducing my recurrence rate of cancer.

[@sun-ff1xj]

After 6 months of radiation on my left breast , recently I’m experiencing pain in my left rib exactly under my breast. Does anyone experience such a thing? My oncologist said it happens for some patients. But sometimes it’s unbearable.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

I have a few ribs on my radiated side that are quite sensitive - more towards the midline. I may have more that are affected centrally but can't feel them under implants. I've had a few patients with this too. Not much you can do for that but you can address any soft tissue tenderness in that area, which can make the rib pain feel worse. Look for the self-massage and cupping videos in the Radiation Playlist - kzbin.info/aero/PLALVgJH_QhhiBu-YSGlOfhQvdYgMuWWOU&si=B3wCL5on30zW9H44

[@d.shannon261]

Does it help to stretch daily to avoid restricted movement later? I'm getting T9 radiated soon. I have no pain, just fear. BC4 remission lasted 6 months, now the T9 is red in pet scan. Consult today.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

I did lots of rehab, stretching and got treatment before, during, and after radiation and still had radiation fibrosis symptoms. My assumption is that my symptoms would have been even worse had I not been doing all of those things. Hope your radiation goes well. Thankfully, it's not painful at the time getting treatment.

[@agnessymon8869]

I start radiation in 2 weeks and now after seeing this video im terrified.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

The side effects can really vary person to person. If you do happen to have some post-radiation effcts just know that there are SO many things that you can do to address them! I have a several videos on this in the radiation playlist - kzbin.info/aero/PLALVgJH_QhhiBu-YSGlOfhQvdYgMuWWOU Best of luck!

[@debralukas4805]

I had radiation on my butt and I have a major brown spot on the top of my leg and it itches only at night when I lay down it feels like gators skin. I've had it for many years. I've been using castor oil lately and it seems to take the brown spot away, but it's a long process, my left leg is a half a size bigger than my right leg or I had radiation

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Curious why you had radiation on your butt?

[@vegrunner6688]

Hello. Thank you for your, as always, helpful video. I just wanted to add one more radiation complication and that is radiation-induced pneumonitis in the lungs, which can lead to fibrosis in the lungs....which nobody wants to happen. Please speak with your radiation oncologist immediately if you have any shortness of breath.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Good addition to the list. Thx!

[@mersereaucatherine]

At 72 , my doctors say it won't go away unless Jesus heals me, Thanks for the video

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

I'm not sure these things ever go away completely but you can sure see a lot of improvement when you address it with treatment/rehab. All the best with your recovery!

[@eugene54547]

That should be seroma......not sarcoma!! Things are bad enough!!

[@annaloph]

🥴🌎🩺💖🙏