Radiation for breast ca, then Sjogren's symptoms

[sunflower]

Hello all,

It has occurred to me that my peripheral neuropathy and other Sjogren's-related symptoms really took off in a variety of directions about 4 months after I completed radiation for breast cancer.  (Radiation was in 2014; I already had sicca symptoms.)  My nagging problem after the radiation was that I was so tender I couldn't wear a bra for a year.  I still can hardly touch the scar site to do exams.  Mammos are excruciating.  Doctors and technicians have never heard of pain after radiation.

Is there a connection between radiation and resulting Sjogren's symptoms and what would it be?  Has anyone else heard of this?

Sunflower

[Sharon]

Hi sunflower, from what I have read:
1- Sicca symptoms can occur following radiation, but are supposedly limited to the area that received the radiation (such as dryness of the mouth following salivary gland radiation).
2- Any trauma can trigger autoimmune diseases. Having breast cancer and having to undergo treatment for it may be experienced as both emotional and physical trauma.