Friday, May 25, 2007
It's been about 1 1/2 yrs since my bilateral implant reconstruction. My particular cancer did not require chemo or radiation, just aromatase inhibitor treatment and regular follow-up. Due to prior implant surgery (before breast cancer), the inframammary fold incision was used to remove implants, open biopsy (before mastectomies) and later also for implants after expanders. What I always thought was just incisional pain that would go away turned out to get worse over time to where all bras are almost intolerable because they contact the sore area. The surgeons feel it is more the rib area right below these incisions. Also, recently, I have had itching and shooting (brief) pain over both breasts (implants). I have been extensively worked up for recurrence due to this and fortunately all was negative. However, this pain persists and the surgeons seem baffled! Has anyone else had a similar experience and what was the outcome? Thanks!
I had a double mast. 3 1/2 years ago-
and had the rib tenderness a while-
I put it off to lymp nodes and surgery
whatever..
it doesn't hurt unless I actually press on the area..
anyway- today I went in for a regular checkup and mentioned it
next thing- you know
I am getting xray'd and have to have
a bone scan
as the Dr. said, it is very likely nothing,
but its better know and get past the worrying- so while I can't help you
with your question, I can tell you its not
isolated
Colleen
Thanks, Colleen. I mentioned it on my visit recently and it got me right back to MRI! Well, it was negative, thank God. I have recently heard people (not any of my doctors, they seem just mystified about this
), but from other patients, is that it may be related just to not having any breast tissue there anymore. My pain seems similar to yours...only when it is touched (including ALL bras!) I have implants, I wonder if it is also true when reconstruction is done with tissue flaps. It seems like they may get a little more coverage, but, maybe not???
Jayne
Thanks, Colleen. I mentioned it on my visit recently and it got me right back to MRI! Well, it was negative, thank God. I have recently heard people (not any of my doctors, they seem just mystified about this
), but from other patients, is that it may be related just to not having any breast tissue there anymore. My pain seems similar to yours...only when it is touched (including ALL bras!) I have implants, I wonder if it is also true when reconstruction is done with tissue flaps. It seems like they may get a little more coverage, but, maybe not???
Jayne
Hello!
I had my mastectomy surgery in febr 2010 and one year I had a reasonable weak pain, living my life happy that I am a survivor! After one year, it started the same pain you described, and went to GP, prescribed elavil. Did not help, only I slept better. Returned to onco dr and she sent me to Bone scan and X-ray for a possible met to bones. It came back negative! ( meanwhile I tried accupunctre, not too much help). I turned now to my surgeon and all he test were repeated: X-ray, CT scan, Bone Scan, MRI a core biopsy an open biopsy. The surgeon wanted to rule ou a chest wall cancer, and even a mulptiple myeloma. Nothing was found and I suffer, my life is miserable for more than 8 months. Nobody came up with any treatement to ameliorate the pain.
Is difficult for me to describe this pain, but mostly in evening night morning, when I move , it is a stabbing burning shooting pain, sometimes with 8 out of 10. across of the mastectomy scar! I am writing with the hope, that somebody had it and now is free of pain
Sonia
Batsheva, now that possible metastasis has been ruled out, I would suggest asking for a referral to a pain clinic. Did you discuss the possibility of scar tissue causing the pain? Massage might give you some relief if this is related to muscle spasms. I hope you soon find some relief.
Hi Phillis,
I posted a reply to you 2 days ago, I don't see it!
Yesterday I went to anaesthesist and got a shot of hydrocortison. Yaaay!
I just hope that it will work for me, the doctor said that it takes a week to know it.
Another option, he was saying Gabapentin tablets. I prefered a fix with injections, one in 2-3 month (if it works)
I will keep you informed
Thank you for replay
Batsheva, you'll find your previous answer at the bottom of this thread; I believe the Tuesday post is the one you're referring to. Sounds like the hydrocortisone shot has had an effect already - excellent! Hope you continue to feel good, and that this is the answer. Take care- PJH
Batsheeva, I hope the injection makes a big difference in your pain level. Gabapentin (generic name for Neurontin) makes many people drowsy. I take it at bedtime so that I can be alert during the day. If you don't get the results you want with the injection, you could give the gabapentin a try. Each person is so different in how she responds to pain medications, it may take a while to find the best solutions for you.
Hey I was looking online for these symptons. I am abreast cancer survivor 12 years out.. I have had soreness under my right breast for 4 weeks now! t's a irritating pain. I had my masectomy 12 years ago at first I thought I had shingles, now I think their leaking, though I have saline. I have had PET SCANS and recently an X-RAY the pain is a real obnoxious pain. Let me know if anyone else is experiencing this.
Dawn
Is it soreness in the tissue or on the skin - or farther inside? You could be experiencing rib pain if you had radiation - believe it or not, it can happen all these years later. I'm glad you're having this checked out; hopefully it'll disappear on its own soon. PJH
It feels like it's in the tissue. Annoying like creepy crawlie.. i had radiation 9 years ago..
Dawnlyn
Sounds like a nerve issue to me. Have you spoken to your plastic surgeon about making sure the implants are OK? Saline ones usually do need replacement aftr about 10 years... PJH
Sounds like a nerve issue to me. Have you spoken to your plastic surgeon about making sure the implants are OK? Saline ones usually do need replacement aftr about 10 years... PJH