Is this normal???

aisling · October 2018

I had a nipple sparing mastectomy with immediate direct to implant subpectoral reconstruction a little over 3 weeks ago (Sept 10). Things went great and the pain gradually lessened as expected. But Thursday morning I woke up miserable when I tried to move my left arm, and ever since have extreme pain inside my left breast which is triggered by doing any sort of movement with my left arm. I also am finding my left hand is going numb for no reason (as my arm is only laying to my side) which is quickly solved when I move my fingers, but is especially a problem at night since I'm sleeping and can't monitor. (I feel a slight pressure under my armpit similar to the feeling you get when a shirt is too small and cutting in, feel like that is the cause.)

The tiniest stretch or lift (like reaching 5" to the side to pick up my cell phone, or just creating any space between my left arm and my side) triggers this sharp pain deep in the middle of my breast that feels like some is jabbing me with sharp instrument or putting the inside of my breast on the rack.

I am especially troubled as I had a series of easy arm exercises prescribed for me to do 3 times a day by the occupational therapist and I had an easy time with them the first 2 weeks. Then I started feeling like things were getting really tight on the left side when i went through the series (no pain on the right side). Then that tightness turned to sharp pain. The pain feels like a deep sharp pain.

The nurse told me to just rest it for 3 days and acted like I must have overdone it but I can't think of what I could have done wrong. Also, 2 days later and it's still terrible.

Has anyone else experienced this or know what it might be??

Thank you!!

Samantha

Vslush · October 2018

Do you still have any drains? I had the same exact problems you're describing, but they instantly went away when last drain came out. I think it must have been poking me internally or something.

Vickki

aisling · October 2018

Hi Vickki,

I had all my drains out on the 21st My pain started nearly a week later. Glad your problem resolved though!

Best,

Samantha

Vslush · October 2018

I'm sorry you're still suffering with unexplained pain. Could it be possible cording? I didn't have that, but hopefully someone with experience comes along. I would insist on seeing BS if pain persists. Good luck!

Vickki

mustlovepoodles · October 2018

That doesn't sound normal at all. If you haven't seen a doctor yet, perhaps it's time. It doesn't seem to be improving on its own and you need to know if you've got something brewing inside that breast.

aisling · October 2018

I was seen by my PS' physicians assistant yesterday. It seems like pain is where alloderm and muscle are sutured together. Feels like a thousand knives when I move in a way that stretches it. But she wasn't concerned... said to rest left arm and call in a week. I hate this.

Rah2464 · October 2018

I had nipple sparing immediate direct to implant prepectoral. And my hard weeks seemed to be weeks 6-10 when maybe all the nerves were firing back up? I also developed some cording which caused me a lot of discomfort. You know your body and you can tell when things aren't progressing in the right direction. So very wise of you to stay in contact with your doctor and demand treatment if things aren't improving. I found PT to be extremely helpful. My therapist was very good at releasing cording. And she gave me very specific exercises to address my individual problem areas. I am also going to a medical massage therapist which is helping with some scar tissue around where they removed the sentinel nodes.

The other thing that helped me tremendously was that I finally ordered a compression bra from Marena. Boy did that help. I literally couldn't stand anything else touching me. I still wear it although now I can get by with wearing some supportive workout bras for short periods of time.

elleredux · October 2018

I'm glad that you saw the PA and that they weren't concerned about infection. Maybe you could ask for an order to see PT or OT? Mobilizing scar tissue that is forming is really important, and I understand the concept of resting the arm but you want to be careful about preserving your range of motion. I hope you feel better soon.

aisling · October 2018

Thanks Elleredux!

Interesting your note about mobilizing scar tissue. Now that I understand from the PA that my pain is happening along the line the alloderm and muscle were sutured together, im noticing the alloderm closer to that point is hard as a rock! My instinct is to try to rub it to soften it but not sure if that’s permissible. It certainly doesn’t feel the same as the right side...

WigLButtz · October 2018

Hi aisling

I am experiencing the same type of thing you are describing and on my left side as well. I had BMX with under muscle tissue expanders on Sept 4 and I've had this pain the whole time. I thought it was my drain and getting the drain out helped a little bit, but not entirely.

I was trying to describe it to my husband and I told him it feels like being seared internally with a red hot knife or like the muscle is being peeled from my rib. These actions trigger it for me: twisting, reaching high or just moving that arm too quickly.

Told my PS about it today when I saw him for a fill and he just kind of shrugged it off and said it's normal to have intermittent pains. It was actually starting to get less and less, but after today's 75cc fill it's back and it's angry.

Keeping a little pillow under my arm as much as I can helps a ton. I have alloderm as well, maybe the pain really does have something to do with that. Here's hoping this is not a long term thing for either of us.

urdrago71 · October 2018

hi everyone, I was doing a search in all forums for cording and found you. I have very similar pain 7 days after surgery :lumpectomy and axially dissection. Example. If i try to make a wing with right arm. I can make it appear as a wing but cant lift my wing to fly I did my own research and found axially webbing syndrome or coding.

https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effect...

Btw, cording can happen in chest as also after breast surgery. i was searching further to see what other might use to relieve pain.so far the only info. PT and time.

If I find anything else I will update you.

Sending you good vibes. May u all have a good weekend.

She38 · October 2018

I had skin sparing mastectomy direct to implant about 6 weeks ago and I am experiencing a sharp pain below my breast in my rib cage where the alloderm is connected. I can see two stitches that stretch below as well. It feels like my rib is broken. Especially painful when I lie flat or when I reach too high over my head. Sometimes at night it also hurts breathing in and out. My next appointment with my PS is in 2 weeks. My physio therapist has been getting me to do some strengthening with weights. I am not sure this is a good idea. Any thoughts? Today he had me doing 30lb pull downs. I was ok with resistance band exercises, but these weights seem to cause all kinds of gross feelings around my implant. Any insight into what anyone else is doing would be helpful. If this is going to help, I will tough it out. I just dont want to blow my incision open if that is even possible.

VegGal · October 2018

That PT is nuts. Absolutely stop it. Call your PS tomorrow and explain what is happening.

I am an OT and am flabbergasted at that treatment plan. My husband is a PT and when I told him about you he was the same. He even asked why you were in PT in the first place, as right now is a time for recovery and simple range of motion exercises.

Hope you are feeling better soon.

She38 · October 2018

Thank you so much for your reply. I will not be going to him again. It seemed like a bit much to me and to have the both of you confirm that makes me feel so much better.

Is this normal???

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