Pain when wearing prothestics?

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KeepingFaith69
KeepingFaith69 Member Posts: 508
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

Hi All,

I have been trying to wearing a bra with prosthetic at random intervals over the past week.

I end up with a really sore shoulder (on the side that the nodes were removed) and chest pain.

Does anyone else have this problem.

I had a recurrence in November and every single 'tingle' has be worrying. 

Before I visit my GP (which will inevitably result in more tests and 'scanxiety') I thought I'd check to see if anyone has this issue.

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  • Linda1966
    Linda1966 Member Posts: 633
    edited January 2012

    Ive been wearing a prosthetic daily at work (8 hours p/d) for the last 3 years and it has never caused any pain KeepingFaith.  If you are superaware of the prosthetic when you wear it you may be subconsciously holding yourself very tight and causing muscular aches. Was your prosthetic fitted for you properly so that you have confidence in it and yourself when wearing it?

    Do you get the pain when you are not wearing your prosthetic?

    I still get jabs in my chest on occasion but it occurs regardless of having worn the prosthetic or not so I believe it to just be nerve endings acting up on occasion.

    Hope you can get it sorted as soon as possible so that you can be comfortable.

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  • sespebadger
    sespebadger Member Posts: 249
    edited January 2012

    Hi KeepingFaith69,

    Sorry you are having some pain.

    I had lumpectomy/lymphectomy Dec 09, then BMX no recon July 10 and radiationSept-Oct 10. I still have some numbness and occasional slight pain under arm and on top of shoulder on the side had lympectomy and rads. I also have occassional slight pain along my incisions, and to sides and below my incisions. I think it's nerve damage. Most of the time I feel no pain at all.....these are just occassional and I don't know why. I wore microbead foobs for a year and those were very light. Now I wear Amoena prostheses. You are very close to your surgery date, it sounds like, so my guess is that your body is still doing lots of healing. I hope with time you will have fewer problems. 

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited January 2012

    KF, in the early months after my mastectomy a bra and prosthesis would bring me to tears. Sometimes I'd be okay at first, but an hour or so (or even half and hour) and I'd be reduced to a puddle. Driving or riding in the car was simply awful, I have no idea why. Maybe the vibration. What helped was PT, both loosening and strengthening the shoulder and gradually de-sensitizing the skin.

    On the desensitization we started with a light touch with a soft fabric and just gently rubbed it (at first only for a few strokes) As that got tolerable we switched to slightly rougher textures and firmer strokes. I did that several times a day (and hated it!Yell) It took several weeks of gradually increasing both texture and firmness until I was eventually comfortable with most anything.

    Just a thought, anyway. Sure hope you find a simple answer and a quick fix!Smile

    Gentle hugs,
    Binney

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  • cinnamonsmiles
    cinnamonsmiles Member Posts: 779
    edited January 2012

    I am so sorry you are having pain. I had a BMX with node dissection a year ago. I ended up with severe post mastectomy pain syndrome and scar tissue adhesions. I still can not wear a bra and prosthetics and have given up. I actually like going braless, but I realize this is not everyone's cup of tea.

    One part wants me to remind you that you had a pretty major surgery and your body may still be healing. Some heal slower, some faster.

    But I would discuss your exact pain feelings with your doctor so that they are aware of it. If  you are very specific in documenting exactly what your pain feels like (burning sensation, being punched feelings,shocks, etc) and when and where you feel it, your surgeon will be able to help you more. I agree with Binney that some occupational therapy may help  you out, but first they should figure out what the problem is.

    Please let us know how you are doing and I wish you the best.

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