Implant pain and discomfort after four years??

Hi

Please forgive me—I'm not sure of the right place to post this. Please push me elsewhere if this is not it? I'm wondering if anyone has experienced periods of discomfort with their implants 4+ years after surgery.

Briefly- have had two mastectomies, both immediate implant and nipple sparing, done at different times. The right side has actually been operated on 3x. Initially, I had a reduction, choosing only a single mastectomy when it appeared only the left side had a small tumor. The right was reduced to match the new left. Then, after a few scares, I decided I had a ticking time bomb with the remaining breast, decided to have a proph removal, only to discover evidence of calcifications lining up- a small area of DCIS. So, second mastectomy. Only this time, an infection which essentially necessitated a redo. This was in 2012.

Four years later, I find I have periods of intense discomfort on the right side. The "foob" almost feels swollen and achy. The incisions area underneath – and a pretty pronounced scar extended almost around my flank becomes uncomfortable. I had nipple sparing surgery, so there is a small amount of tissue remaining. I have noticed a bit of nerve regeneration and can feel more and more around the nipple (though nothing like normal of course- but it can be irritated by certain fabrics and almost always seems to be at attention- thus the bras. And the irony. I'm still buying padding bras to hide this sort of thing.) I feel like I am walking around with a medium size hard orange on my chest. It rides higher than the other side. But always had—the left side had gone through rads in 2000 and the skin is different and tougher. 3x survivor here. Been thru the wringer as we all have.

The last bout of this was in July. I saw both my oncologist and breast surgeon. They examined me thoroughly physically. I worried about something growing on the chest wall, pushing the implant out, but was told that no, it was very unlikely. That the breast is peeled off pretty closely from the chest wall underneath. New developments are usually seen in the scar areas, around the remaining nipple tissue or in the skin. None of this is happening. Just a feeling of discomfort, hardness, edema of some sort. Neither onc or surgeon was concerned—conjecture was costrochondritis or scar tissue from multiple surgeries pushing the implant out of place and some contracture. All my cancers were triple neg. This last diagnosis on the right was DCIS, less than one inch area, whole breast removed. Never any nodal involvement and many imagings- bone scans, lung ct throughout the years. So they reassure me they do not think this is anything nefarious.

Back when this occurred in July, I ended up seeing a massage therapist for a few sessions- myofascial- and it may have helped. It finally seemed to resolve after a month. But here I am again- almost 6 months later!

So- I'm wondering—has anyone else out there experienced anything like this, or am I just weird and unique once again. And the one question I can't seem to get an answer to—WHY?

I'm really uncomfortable—ibuprofen not doing much. Crazy with work and kids and not sure how to fit massage in again. Anything that helps anyone?

Julie