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What Causes Sharp Pain In Ribs While Recovering From Breast Cancer?
Question: Hello, I am worried about my Sister, who is 50 years old. She is recovering from breast cancer and has recently had her first check which has come back clear. However, she has been suffering from a very sharp pain in her ribs on the left side of her body - a series of short, sharp pains, over the last two weeks or so. She has been to casualty in London, where she lives (Hackney) because when she came off a night shift in the City, the pain started again, quite badly. They have done tests, x-rays which have come back negative for any problems but the pain persists.
Brief Answer:
may be related to neuralgia
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Pain can originate from any structure in the area from the skin inwards. This means that it may originate from the the nerves, the muscles and other soft tissue, the bones, the lungs and surrounding areas, heart.
IF it was central the esophagus would also need to be considered.
The xrays would have revealed any changes in the bones. If heart related changes are present, they would have shown up other tests such as ECG.
It is possible if these tests did not reveal any changes that the pain is related to neuralgia (nerve related pain which can be severe) or it may be muscular in origin.
Muscular pain would normally be worse with specific movements so if this is not the case then neuralgia would need to be considered.
Neuralgia is due to peripheral neuropathy which is changes in nerve due to abnormal structure or function.
It can be temporary of permanent. It can present in different ways- sharp, sticking, burning, numbness, stabbing.
Causes include: (1) vitamin b12 or folate deficiency
(2)diabetes
(3)trauma
(4)exposure to toxins
(5)liver or kidney disease
(6)neurological disease eg stroke, ms
(7)side effect of medication
(8)infections such as shingles
(9)hormonal disease
(10)some autoimmune disease
The exact cause can be determined by her doctor. Treatment can vary according to the cause though there are medications that are used specifically to help with nerve related pain.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
may be related to neuralgia
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Pain can originate from any structure in the area from the skin inwards. This means that it may originate from the the nerves, the muscles and other soft tissue, the bones, the lungs and surrounding areas, heart.
IF it was central the esophagus would also need to be considered.
The xrays would have revealed any changes in the bones. If heart related changes are present, they would have shown up other tests such as ECG.
It is possible if these tests did not reveal any changes that the pain is related to neuralgia (nerve related pain which can be severe) or it may be muscular in origin.
Muscular pain would normally be worse with specific movements so if this is not the case then neuralgia would need to be considered.
Neuralgia is due to peripheral neuropathy which is changes in nerve due to abnormal structure or function.
It can be temporary of permanent. It can present in different ways- sharp, sticking, burning, numbness, stabbing.
Causes include: (1) vitamin b12 or folate deficiency
(2)diabetes
(3)trauma
(4)exposure to toxins
(5)liver or kidney disease
(6)neurological disease eg stroke, ms
(7)side effect of medication
(8)infections such as shingles
(9)hormonal disease
(10)some autoimmune disease
The exact cause can be determined by her doctor. Treatment can vary according to the cause though there are medications that are used specifically to help with nerve related pain.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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