Inflammatory breast cancer is often misdiagnosed, delaying appropriate treatment. It can spread quickly throughout the chest wall. The first signs of inflammatory breast cancer are warmth (it feels as though you're feeling a feverish forehead), a flushed, reddish-to-pinkish color (which does not necessarily cover the entire chest), and skin with the texture of an orange -- lightly pitted and "thick." The tumor in inflammatory breast cancer is different than other cancers; it is a poorly-defined, very large mass. This can be missed at first glance on a mammogram report. For inflammatory breast cancer, doctors recommend chemotherapy first. Possible chemotherapy side effects stemming from inflammatory breast cancer are the same as for any other type of cancer.
Instructions
1. Help your doctor evaluate your pain control needs by keeping a daily record. Record the severity of your pain throughout the day, any activities such as eating or exercise, as well as medications you took. You may find a pattern of heightened pain during certain periods of the day.
2. Evaluate the level of pain you feel from chemotherapy with your doctor. Some patients may experience only mild pain and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (like Motrin) may help. Discuss taking an opiod medication with your doctor if Motrin does not help.
3. Tell your doctor if you experience any shooting or burning pains, or have an area of your body that is numb. This may be neuropathic pain, which results from damage to the nerves. This can be caused by some chemotherapy drugs, especially vinca alkyloids. Because opiod medications are not very effective against this pain, your doctor may advice taking an anticonvulsant or an antiarrhythmic, as they can help treat neuropathic pain.
4. Taper off from corticosteroids gradually to avoid severe joint pain that may result from ceasing this medication. Corticosteroids are sometimes given along with chemotherapy to ease pain. Corticosteroids can also act as an appetite stimulant. Pain resulting from withdrawal is temporary and can be treated with an over-the-counter pain medication.
5. Meditate often to help relieve anxiety you'll feel about your inflammatory breast cancer. You can also try relaxation tapes, guided imagery and massage. Try a mechanical massager (vibration) to help relieve pain resulting from damaged nerves. Do not apply infrared heating massage devices to areas that have been recently treated with radiation therapy, as burns may result.
6. Distract yourself with mental images or repetitive phrases to help get yourself through the pain. Select a word or phrase that has meaning for you, or listen to music, read or distract yourself by talking to friends.
7. Apply heat or ice to the area that hurts. Apply a heating pack for about thirty minutes, but be sure to check your skin often to make sure it isn't burning. Radiation therapy renders your skin more prone to burning. Apply ice for about fifteen minutes to reduce inflammation, muscle spasms and pain. However, if the area has been damaged by radiation therapy, do not apply ice.
Tags: your doctor, breast cancer, inflammatory breast, inflammatory breast cancer, breast cancer, help relieve
