Burning pain and armpit pain 2 wks post-BMX

lawyer180

I am 2 weeks post BMX with AXND on left arm only, and immediate gel implants with alladerm (sp?) to support the implants. I was given Norco (sp?) for pain to come home with. Overall, I am healing well, had my 4 drains out at 6 days post surgery. My question is regarding pain. I've steadily been decreasing my pain meds and trying to substitute motrin, etc. For the last 4-5 days, I took a pain pill only once or twice a day and yesterday my goal was to not take any. However, by evening I had to take one due a pretty bad burning pain in my chest and armpits. Plus, I probably overdid it yesterday with too much activity. Is this an obvious sign I need to continue a little longer with pain meds? Also, my armpits are super sore (just within the last few days) could this be from the sports bras rubbing? (Note: This pain is different than the lymph node dissection pain)

Lisey

Google Post Mastectomy Pain syndrome. I'm experiencing the burning and feeling that I have a metal plate on my chest. I removed all reconstruction, so the pain is gone.. it's just a residual tightness/numbness (metal plate) and then like I have a sunburn on my chest. From what I understand 20-40% of women get PMPS and it sometimes doesn't go away. There is a board for it on here as well.

Blessings2011

I had excruciating pain every day for a month after my BMX. I came home from the hospital, wanting to be like those women who had a mastectomy, took a Tylenol, then ran a marathon the next day. (Or so it seemed from their posts.) I didn't realize how unlikely that was, as my pain was never under control in the hospital... I refused to use the Morphine PCA at my bedside.

Then I paid attention to all the wise women here who told me that I had been given pain meds for a reason, and to TAKE THEM in order to stay ahead of the pain. Once you have it, it's hard to catch up.

I had a combination of Norco and Valium, which worked well. I took them exactly according to directions, around the clock. That broke the pain cycle, and I was able to wean off them. It just took me longer.

If it were me, I'd get back on a regular schedule with the meds, then rather than skipping them entirely, just cut back on the dosage gradually until you don't need them any more. You might surprise yourself.

Yes, PMPS is a definite possibility, but being only two weeks post-BMX with immediate implants, I would give yourself more time to heal. Be sure to tell your PS you are having pain.

A good motto for post-surgery activities: Just because you CAN, doesn't mean you SHOULD.