How long will pain and tightness in chest last after BMX??

magiclight

Thanks Daisylover for your thoughts. I just finished with PT treatments that focused on ROM and a little strengthening work in their pool - a most comforting 93 degrees. I have nearly full ROM but chest tightness continues. Next week will start to see a myofascial therapist who is also a PT (using my own $s for this) and expect her to work on scar tissue and chest similar to what you describe. I look forward to feeling like myself again. Also, I just started Neurontin - up to 300 mg per day, but so far no results that I can feel. I see my surgeon tomorrow and see what he says. I also just started on Tamoxifen today and somehow that has made me feel more emotional (read weepy) about having bc Thanks for encouragement and I forget that I am, as you say, 'in the early stages of healing."

Itzy

Hello magiclight,

You and I seem to have rather similar stories.  I have read some of these threads, but this is my first post.  I had BMX just over a month ago, and also chose no reconstruction.  I felt amazingly well the first 9 days after surgery, but since drain removal I have had more of the discomfort that you describe.  I was referred to OT lymphedema therapist after that visit with surgeon, which I am hopeful will be productive. 

Just yesterday, I tried the breast binder I was given after one of the preoperative biopsies, and to my great surprise, the chest discomfort was dramatically improved.  I took it off before going to bed last night, but awoke with the same breast discomfort.  After showering, I put the binder back on, and again, no chest discomfort. 

I have another appointment with the BS in a couple of weeks.  I am very curious if others have used these breast binders or other compressive devices effectively.  I did wear a pretty snug camisole with pockets for drains, but stopped wearing it after drains were removed.  So, it really seems that compression is my friend. 

magiclight

Hi Itzy. Sorry that we have similar stories, however, I am glad that the breast binder/compression has helped with your pain. I was given one after my MRI biopsy and used again after BMX drains came out with some relief but that relief was short lived. Now, over 6 weeks after surgery chest tightness and burning continues. I keep retrying the compression binder but no relief. Today my Neurontin was increased to 600mg/day and can go up to 1800mg a day. I'm sure hoping for some relief. Tomorrow I start the myofascial massage which my BS and PCP think is a good idea. Fingers crossed and positive thinking. My surgeon did tell me that my 2nd intercostalbrachial nerve (or I think that was the nerve he mentioned) was damaged/cut during surgery and bilateral node dissection and numbness around my armpit and upper outer arms is permanent. I am more comfortable while in a warm shower and in warm pool water.

Keep doing whatever provides you the most comfort/

motherofmany

Hi...I'm having so much tightening, pain and chest choking at night and in the am ...I am 2 weeks post BMX with tram sparing reconstruction. I too hate pain meds but I wandering if this will go away after 6 weeks recovery or am I just getting afraid of a complication that may not even exist. I have such a decline in quality of life right now with this chronic of pain. Also I have the way they look and feel now...I look like I have a pancake placed on my chest.

Scottiemom11

magiclight. . .I found this thread due to increased nerve pain after EX surgery. I started Gabapentin (Neurontin) at 10 weeks post BMX for nerve pain and HFs. MO steadily increased dose due to continued nerve pain from TEs. 600mg/day is still a lowmdose. I'm frustrated by the level of nerve pain 2 weeks post EX because I thought it would be much better with the TEs. I'm hoping PT which I'll start next week will help.

Are you allowed to take motrin? That helped me until I had to stop for EX surgery.

Scottie

magiclight

Scottie: I too thought it would be much better, but I'm now over 3 months post op and on Neurantin 1200mg/day + Aleve when needed - just a couple pills a few times a week after I've been too active. You have just had exchange surgery, so we are really in different circumstances with regards to that. However, nerve pain may be similar in a person who has/has not had reconstruction. I must say that from reading so many posts and threads on BCO that adjusting to whatever one calls the 'new normal' makes a big difference in overall quality of life. I'm adjusting to being flat as I cannot yet wear any prosthesis - maybe some day, but not until this tightness diminishes. Has your nerve pain increased post EX? Dose of Neurantin increased?

bluepearl

I had pain for almost two years. It can and does lift as nerves heal. I was so frightened about having this pain for the rest of my life and couldn't visualize that as a life worth living. Then I read about a man who had a lung removed and had nerve pain for 3 years. THAT gave me hope. I still get itchy, some pain if I do some heavy work, but that would be normal anyways at my age! I am grateful that 90% of it is gone. I chose no reconstruction as I don't want to wake sleeping dogs. A plastic surgeon said it was a good decision as they can't guarantee that you won't have more and perhaps permanent pain.

magiclight

Bluepearl: Thanks for your reply. Two years sure seems like a long time, but you made it. So far 3 months feels like a long time although I now have diminished burning pain when I walk and can do so without holding onto my chest. You are right about heavy or just plain lots of arm motion increasing chest tightness. I put on my first dinner party a few nights ago and the next two days were not pretty - oh such muscle tightness it caught my breath. Stretching and holding the stretch for at least 10 minutes does help. I set my timer and just relax into the stretch which I do on the floor with a small therapy ball between my shoulder blades. I can really feel the opening in chest and across my back. I would like to just forget about having to be vigilant with stretching, but each time I let a couple of days lapse, I loose ground and am reminded that I've had 2 big scars across my chest that are working to tighten up when I look the other way. Trying to stay focused on the long term rehab needed so scar tissue does not win out. Speaking about lung removal, I learned that chest surgery for lung disease or cardiac repair produce similar long term neuropathies. We have lots of company in that regard. I hope you continue to improve.

Strongspirit

Pain from a massive infection on left side of double Masectomy. Infection cleared up 7 weeks post op and I am still suffering from the swelling and pain. No lymphademia. Dr says it must resolve itself. I am a very busy woman, great family and I run my own business. This pain is sucking the life out of me. I didn't anticpate 7 weeks of this severe tightness and swelling. Abdomen doing well and so is right side where Cancer was found. It is dragging me down. I feel like a broken record. When does it end. Signed strongspiri

Strongspirit

Mine is 7 weeks post op double Masectomy with Diep reconstruction. Developed infection on left side. Finally cleared but still have very bad pain on that side. I stretch 3 times a day and do all the exercises. Next day feels like I start from scratch again. The pain on left side is wearing me and my family down. I think they are sick of listening to me. I hope it gets better. For you too.

Moderators

Strongspirit-

We want to welcome you to our community here at BCO! We're so sorry for the pain you're experiencing and the issues you're having with your recovery. We hope you find support here as you continue to heal, and that you find relief so soon!

The Mods

Strongspirit

Thank you for the warm welcome. As much as I do not get joy from other people's suffering it is nice to know that I am not odd person out. I thought I was acting like a baby. Not my normal behavior. So I look forward to the sharing of information. Very gratefu

magiclight

Strongspirit: So sorry you need to be in this discussion about post op pain. It sounds like you are a very busy woman and trying to keep your life running as usual even though you have had major surgery, an infection, and continued swelling and pain. Giving yourself permission to slow down and rest a bit because your body needs time to repair itself is not always easy. 7 weeks seems like a long time, but everyone is not the same. Your body is not ready for you to get on with life as before surgery. This is a safe place to vent about your pain and frustration and seek options for relief that others might suggest. I know that before surgery I just assumed I'd be up and running quickly, but BC and its treatment kick butt in surprising ways. I take Neurontin for nerve pain, stretch regularly, and take an occasional tylenol or ibuprofen. I am getting some relief from this combination, but it has taken time. What have your tried for pain relief?

anamerty

it will be 3 years next Thursday for me and I still have the pain,tightness and numbness due to having a bmx and wearing external prosthetics

magiclight

Anamerty: You are brave for wearing the external prosthesis even though they aggravate your feeling of pain and tighness. I'm about ready to get fitted for a prosthesis though the thought of additional discomfort is holding me back. I think that the 20-50% (give or take) of women who have had bc surgery are often dismissed and bco is a place where we can admit issues they are facing and they are acknowledged. Drs, especially surgeons want to find a solution and when there is not one readily available have a tendency to avoid, ignore, and dismiss the subjective stories of their surgical patients.. Sometimes just venting is validating and gives voice to what we have swallowed and pushed down because friends and relatives get compassion fatigue and maybe like docs are unable to provide a solution, thus get frustrated. I hear you and am truly sorry that 3 years out you have not found a remedy. Let's keep looking and sharing stories.

magiclight

I noticed that I posted in August of 2015 when I had PMPS for about 4 months and I thought for sure it would go away. However, today it is still present as bad as ever, no relief from meds of which I'm only on Gabapentin. Now 17 months later and after reading posts, professional articles ad nauseum, and seeing a pain specialist I realize there is no truly successful treatment for PMPS. Every treatment is hit and miss, maybe will maybe won't, let's try this, let's try that, go here, go there. So my definitive answer to the question of this thread "how long will pain and tightness in chest last after BMX?" is 17 months and counting. I so wish that was not the case for me even though I hope it is not the case for other women.

DowntonAbbey777

Hello! I had a unilateral mastectomy approx 4 weeks ago. Under my arm and chest feels very tight. How long will this last? I am doing my exercises and I do have pretty good range of motion, but not quite as good as the unaffected arm. If I do the "wall crawl" exercise. I am about 1 inch away from being able to reach as far as the unaffected arm can reach.... but so far, I can't get there.... feels like my under arm is going to rip in half, haha! So I'm trying not to force it, just trying to make progress bit by bit. Thought about PT, but I feel I'm doing well on my own.

Lillady0430

Hey DowntownAbby, I saw you posted this question on my tread about what's normal...and honestly it seems like everyone's different, it sounds like you're making some good progress and it's only been 4 weeks, I'm currently going to PT once a week and my range of motion is great. I'm 6 weeks post opt. Still a little tightness but nothing like it was in the beginning. I've learned that the tightness under the arm is called cording.. It has to be massaged to lossend or it will mk it difficult for you to reach. Do some research on this.. After every therapy I feel so good and I sleep very well. I feel my whole body loosen up. Wishing you a speedy recovery.. But not too fast. Take it a day at a time,

Beatmon

Forever!

DowntonAbbey777

Thanks LilLady! Your note was encouraging :-)

Artista928

Indeed, everyone is different. I skated through and really didn't need narcotics, though I was told to take it for at least the first 3 days. Same with the nausea meds. The TEs were tight but not stifling like some say. Range of motion was full pretty much off the bat. My bro helped but I could do most everything necessary myself after the first couple of days. What's weird is I had my exchange to perm implants this past Dec and my range of motion is only 2/3 of the way. Such a difference between what was tooted as a more difficult recovery in the bmx w/te's v the exchange sx. The only thing easier in the latter was 2 drains v 4 with bmx.