Things that go "PoP"

[Debi]

Well, I haven't posted enough the last month or so but I have been busy at work and then have had "stuff" to take care of.

I had a bone scan due to various pains I have been having and the bone scan came back negative (WOOOO HOOOOO). Now I am waiting for the results of an MRI on my left leg, I have been having soreness & swelling forever in my left shin, to the left of the bone that runs down the front of your leg.

I also have been having an ongoing problem with a pain under my right breast since surgery and it seems to be increasing. About once a month or so, if I bend over a certain way, there is a sharp pain under my breast, almost like a pinching that lasts about 10 seconds and then slowly goes away. It almost feels like something actually is "rolling" back into place..sometimes I could swear I hear a "pop". The pain is like a charlie horse in your diaghram, it takes your breath away and there is nothing you can do but wait for it to stop.

The last month, it has been happening more, and not just when I bend down. Several people had mentioned gall bladder but when I went to my doctor, he said that he didn't think so. He pressed against my ribs/ribcage and in one area, on my side, I almost jumped off the table in pain. He seems to think that I may have a nerve twisted around my ribs and that since I am becoming less and less numb, am feeling the results of my nerve damage more. He gave me a shot of both a steroid and an anti-inflammatory and it actually has worked, I went from having this "popping" daily to not at all, the last week.

Anyway, I guess I will go with the "nerve damage" theory unless I hear otherwise. I thought I would throw this out there and see if anyone else in the "new normal" has had this sensation (I know of one other person, didn't know if there were more).

All said and done, I never forget that I am "lucky" that this all that I have to worry about ... My gratitude that I am "okay", even if for just today, is overwhelming sometimes these days...

[Wendy]

Debi,

I can't really help you too much here except to concur that it seems like every time I get the weird twitches in my chest I am always told it is nerve damage from the surgery. Good news for me is that it usually goes away.

I am glad you are looking into it further, hopefully it ends up being something that can be remedied!

Take care,

Wendy

[Ry]

Debi,

I hope all is quiet soon and no more snapping, crackling, or popping with your body. It's good to see you on.

Rochelle

[kiams]

I continue to have pain in my ribs and back from the surgery and its been 10 months. Unfortunately, when they use that rib spreader to get to the lung, I think it causes more damage than they want you to know.

[chloesmom]

Hi Debi,

Wow, sorry for your recent problems. I had that diaphram 'spasm' thing a few times, actually both before and after surgery. Don't get it much any more though, but I'm really interested in what you find out about what causes that.

Just wanted to chime in though about that pain under the breast on the side of your surgery. I STILL have soreness in that bottom rib under my breast on the side of my surgery. It's tender to the touch, but not to the extent that I'd be in extreme pain if someone were to press on it. I just always thought it was from 'sprung ribs' (my technical term for the result of that ugly looking rib spreader being used on us), but I really don't know. It's like it's right at the point that I feel the most pressure went when they spread my ribs open, but again, that's just guessing on my part.

Tell you what else, I just had that nasty cold/sinus infection that's been going around here, and of course besides almost freaking out and going to the doctor and wondering if it was ever going to get better and missing work (I hate missing work), sneezing is still really exciting on my left side. I don't know if that will ever go away. You'd think after nearly two years, if it were going to go away, it would have by now.

Sorry you've got these issues going on, as if it isn't enough running to the doctor with this, we've got other stuff popping up like crazy all of a sudden. I've had a couple of minor side issues pop up health wise, and it's like I have a part time job waiting to see doctors. I'm thankful though that they are small, and easily handled.

It's good to see you on the board again, and keep us informed.

Take care,

Cindy

[Frank Lamb]

Debi, good to see you post.Sorry your having aches and pains.You sure don't deserve that.Hope you get better quick with no major problems.

[Snowflake]

Um, Debi, you're just getting old....

Still pains here on surgical side - and that darn scar STILL itches enough to drive me batty! Itches and then hurts when it's scratched!

I think my poor diaphragm is still a bit at a loss on my right side and just doesn't know how to act with so much of the lung gone....

Of COURSE you're okay, the only thing screwy with you is your head! Call me again some time, I haven't had such an entertaining conversation in a very long time! Very, very refreshing!

xxoo,

Becky

[jess]

Debi,

I don't post here often however I have been reading this board daily ever since my aunt was diagnosed with LC. I just had to give some input because I have never found anybody that has this strange pain under the right breast before!!!! I have exactly what you are describing. At first they thought I had a hernia and they actually did surgery on it. About 2 months after the surgery I continued having the pain though. It's not constant but it feels like a charlie horse right underneath the right breast. It's bad enough to take my breath away until it goes away. Sometimes it's so bad the muscle will hurt the next day. Anyway, Im convinced it's my gall bladder. I had a sonogram done before my hernia surgery just to rule out anything else. I'm a cancer survivor myself. Well, the only thing they found was a "contracted gall bladder". They said that it shouldn't bother me but I'm sure that's what it is. There is no other explanation and it's in the right spot for the gall bladder.

That's just my input . Like I said, I don't post much but I couldn't pass this one up. Let me know if they end up diagnosing you with something!

Jessica

[luvmydog2]

Hey Debi. Sorry you have all this going on right now but am glad to see you posting again. I was starting to wonder bout you. I remember you saying you were spending lots of time at work tho. I will go with the nerve tho. Could you be over dooing it at work or anything? I know you do office work and probably not much (if any) lifting but maybe sitting and typing could cause it. Hope it is nothing serious. Welcome back.

[Don M]

Hi Debi: I am glad to see you post again. I hope your aches and pains, while being annoying, just turn out to be no more than annoying. I like the nerve damge theory.

Don M

[Maryanne]

Hi Debi,

I am glad that the treatment is keeping that area pain free. It is great news that your bone can came ouf negative. I am sure that was a load off your mine.

Sending you out good vibes.

Maryanne

[Debi]

Thanks everyone for your kindness as always..

I got my MRI results back on my leg. There is fluid that has collected between the tissues separating my bone and my muscle in my lower leg, but the Specialist is sure it is not connected at all to cancer. Its something he wants me to take an antiflammatory for and to keep my leg wrapped for awhile to compress the tissue.

Anyway, I was glad someTHING showed up so I know its not in my damn head. I told this doctor that I feel like a friggin hypochondriac and he replied that with my history, I NEED to be a hypochondriac.

I feel better now ....

[cindi o'h]

Wow. Debi..

I am glad that it is not cancer-related and can be fixed.

I love that doc of yours...what a wonderful attitude he/she has! Wish all of us had one like yours who would be with us instead of again' us!

Blessings for full and speedy recovery of your leg.

Cindi o'h

[Tiny]

Debi-

3 cheers for your doc and I'm so glad that your aches and pains are explainable outside the realm of the BIG C. Please continue to be diligent about having things checked out--better safe than sorry!!

[Maryanne]

Great news Debi, Way the go..

Maryanne

[mhutch1366]

Glad your leg turned out to be something more directly addressed, Deb.

XOXOXOX

Prayers,

MaryAnn

[richinsdakota]

Hi; I just developed "things that go pop" too. When I bend down...right where the rib was removed, it pops...feels like muscle or scar tissue folding over or something...weird. Also, when Im walking or deep breathing in certain positions..I swear I can feel the lung stump flopping around in there...yuk. Just wanted you to know youre not alone. hehe...Rich B.

[wfshaw]

I too get the sharp pain under my right breast especially if I stretch or sneeze. Feels like being stabbed. Very PAINFUL but I also just had my surgery on April 20TH so I'm hoping it's only temporary. Saw my surgeon for a post op visit this week and he told me the pain should eventually subside and to take the pain meds for now. I hate them (percocets) just make me sleep all the time. He also told me some disturbing stuff......for some people the pain lasts for 2-3 years and in rare cases it never goes away. Didn't like hearing that. I have a big property to take care of.

[Debi]

Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one "poppin" over here. Actually, mine has stopped for a bit..it seems to go in cycles. So whatever the heck it is, it is quiet right now...but Rich, I know what you mean by Yuk!

Bill, I'm sure the pain will subside bit by bit. My surgeon wouldn't give me pain pills after about 3 weeks out of surgery because he said I would keep needing them. He said that my brain was going to have to learn to 'ignore' the pain, hence the numbness and the only way to do that was to let it hurt for a little while. He explained it like the nerves keep sending signals to the brain of Help me, do something and the brain eventually doesn't respond to the signals, and the pain fades. He told me if I kept taking pain pills, the brain would never 'learn' to ignore the nerve impulses. I have no idea whether this is true or not..

I had told my surgeon about my past addiction problems and this may have helped his refusal to give me sleeping pills or more pain pills. (Chalk this up as one of those times I was sorry that I checked certain boxes about my history on the medical forms). But the pain actually did dissipate after awhile, although I still do get discomfort now and then. Nothing I can't live with though ( I just grumble about it! ). Anyway, hang in there, better days are coming Bill.....

[richinsdakota]

wf; well, Im 10 months out from surg...pain is down to mostly just discomfort now....I just found out I can ride the lawnmower, if only about half speed. hehe. Still not able to do much tho, beyond lifting a half-gallon of milk, upper bod is easily aggravated by heavy lifting, work. Durn rib cage muscles are involved in every movement, it seems...even walking to some degree. Also, run outa breath soon as I exert a little. (Like carry the groceries up the stairs.) Guess its gonna take me more time to get back to any projects...sigh. Just getting to sleep in bed, on my sides a little, the last month or so too.

Debi; Yea, my surg. cut me off the narco pain pills about same as you, but I was still in pain, so I asked onc. at first visit..he doled em out freely, said addiction was a myth really, but some docs are nervous about it, I guess. Anyway, pain eventually decreased, about 5mos. out, and I didnt miss the pills at all, long as I didnt need em. (And I didnt enjoy the constipation much. hehe) I keep a little darvocet around..(not narco), for mostly my back pain days...but dont use much. Dunno...all docs and peeps are diff., I guess...but Im addicted to nicotine still...so not like Im not a "personality". hehe. Anyway, ...good luck to us all...Rich B.