tight chest and mast area

anamerty

I had bmx 8 months ago and I'm still quite tight even without moving I can still feel the tightness.I do arm stretchs all the time but doesnt seem to do a lot.could I get any suggestions you've used to help.seriously the tightness makes me wonder if im having a heart attack as I can feel my heart jumping out of my chest and also feel heart flutters and skipped beats.Is this all normal? I hope so cuz its all getting me pretty spooked

Momine

Ana, the tightness is unfortunately pretty common. I am 18 months out and still get it here and there.

As far as heart flutters, I had similar stuff as well as dyspnia. The docs could not find anything wrong with me. Then I started taking some magnesium (small amount every day), to aid calcium absorption, and the symptoms disappeared. When I checked, I found that low magnesium can give all kinds of funky symptoms and that chemo treatment can deplete your magnesium levels. Talk to your doc. In general chemo does a number on your body. I have found that it took me about a year of disciplined healthy eating and exercise to feel more or less back to some kind of normal.

Alynne61

had mastectomy on left in 1990 and on right in 2011.   afterward, with both, I felt numb in the underarm and decreased sensation over the chest where the breast was.  also, a sensation like I was wearing a too-tight bra, even if I had no bra on.  when I asked the surgeon about it, he said it was because they manipulate or cut the mammary nerve.  I was advised not to shave the underarms with a razor -- or to be very careful, using a mirror, etc.    I have found that over time, the sensation of tightness and numbness is less noticeable -- much less.  but it has never actually gone away totally.  the excercises and stretches help and I continue to do them.   I did experience occasional episodes of sharp pain over the chest area... that eventually stopped.  as for feeling your heart jump... keep in mind that you now don't have the breast tissue over the chest wall -- and you can feel your heart much more readily.  If you are feeling flutters and like it is skipping a beat, let your GP know.  it may not be anything terribly serious and something easily treated.

mimi01

Hello ladies...I am new to the blog and was wondering if anyone with breast implants following double mastectomy is causing them to seriously just want them out! I feel claustophobic to the point of not wanting to leave my house. the pressure and pain never stops and I don't want to get addicted to the anti anxiety meds.. I went through 4 yrs of BC and lumpectomy so calm my family and friends couldn't believe it.. surgery was July 2012..then 6mos with expander..then immediatly after the implants were placed I have been a wreck! Has anyone had this experience? I am also afraid that even if they take them out  I will still feel this way! Please help

shabby6485

Hi Ladies,

I have posted on other threads about my continuing issues with "iron bra" after a pbmx in aug 2012.  I had TE's for 3 months, then exchanged out for implants.  I never had the relief as described by many women.  I have tried flexeril, exercise, heat.... no relief.  I truly thought I was the only one experiencing this.  My PS said that it may get better, but more then likely, my brain will adjust to it.  Not happy.  

It is encouraging to read that it could get better over time and I understand that I for me it is only 4 months since exchange. 

I TRULY empatheize.  It is hard to be uncomfortable all the day.  I am also not a stranger to feeling claustophobic at night.  I wake pulling a "bra" that isn't there.

Best of thoughts..........

MaggiPgh

Hi Everyone,

I am here to tell you that, 5 years post mastectomy with implants that the tightness and pressure did not go away for me.  I am not opting to have everything taken out. No, I don't know if this will help, but it sure feels as if my implants are just scraping over my chese.  the burning pain I feel is caused by nerve damage and it has gotten better over time, but if I touch around my implants, it hurts, like a burning, stabbing pain. It is called Post Mastectomy Pain Syndrome. If I recover from my surgery and find some relief, I vow to create a blog or website addressing PMPS> Too many women are not educated about this common syndrome caused by the initial surgery.  the tightness is also nerve damage.  Surgeons won't tell you because then they could be held liable. We women need to unite and call attention to this so that perhaps new surgical techniques can be used to prevent it.  Hope this helps.  Well wishes go out to all of you. I will keep you posted.

Maggi

JuanitaB

Hi All, I can relate to the "iron bra" syndrome as shabby6485 aptly calls it. Sometimes when I get into bed or into the shower I have this feeling like I have forgotten to take my bra off only to remember, oh yeah, it's my new normal.

Only 3 months out from surgery so hoping it lessens over time.

melmcbee

This is so depressing. My pain is in my armpit and down my ribcage and across my breast. My radiated side is the worse. It became so bad this past week that i thought I must have dislodged the te. My ps and the e.r. physician both said i have pulled muscles. Really???? I have a sharp pain shoot down my side it feels like a hot stabbing pain if i cough, laugh or move. Anyway my exchangesurgery is this thursday. I just pray for some relief. Its been a long 10 months. healing hugs to all.

Reesecup

I just had a bilateral mastectomy and have the same iron bra feeling with no expanders. I feel like I cannot breathe properly and it is having a huge impact to my life. So much of the day I feel like I am not getting enough air in my lungs and then I get headaches and dizziness. They checked my oxygen levels and have told me that I am getting enough. I have not been allowed to start exercising but hope to within the next couple of weeks and am praying that it will take away some of the tightness. I have never been able to stand tight bra's or anything restrictive prior to the surgery so now this is literally driving me crazy. Any suggestions on how to improve this condition would be most graciously appreciated.