Sternum pain

Michelle, have you spoken with your surgeon? Perhaps it is scar tissue? I get feeling of muscles "clutching" in my chest, although not between my breasts. Sometimes it takes my breath away. Stretching helps, and I will need to stretch the rest of my life.

Of course, not at all certain that is what is going on with you. Hope you get answers.

I too experience sternum pain and feel the "clutching" that RatherBeSailing describes, along with the breath being taken away. I have not had reconstruction, only a left sided mastectomy and radiation. My chest muscles are super tight almost all the time. I've been to the ER several times thinking I might be having a heart attack, but it never is; my heart is always fine. They tell me it is chest muscles tightness; some have called it costochondritis. I find that sometimes the stretching helps, but sometimes it seems to aggravate the problem and I cannot figure out just what is what. I see an OT for lymphedema problems who gives me stretching exercises to do for the tight muscles, and sometimes they help, but sometimes they exacerbate the problem. I am going back to her, but also have a new referral for PT also to see if they can help. Problem is they weren't scheduling until December! (I had called last month.) I did finally manage something for November, so we'll see. I too would really like to know why I have this problem, just what is causing it, and what will help. It can be downright debilitating at times and I have had problems typing, driving, cutting up food, etc., as it seem to be bothered by almost anything I do with both hands at the same time.

Sorry Michelle, about your situation and that I don't have any real answers. Maybe all of this information sharing will help us all with this problem. I don't see much about it on the board.