I wasn’t sure what title to give this post, because it’s such a weird sensation and I’ve no idea what it’s called or what causes it. I had bilateral mastectomies 3 weeks ago, and since the surgery I’ve noticed that whenever I have something to drink, whether hot or cold, but it’s particularly noticeable with cold drinks, that I actually feel the liquid as I swallow it and then going down, and I can feel it, either the cold or the hot, progressing downwards ‘behind’ my chest in the oesophagus. It’s not something I can say that I noticed before the surgery.
Thinking back I remember my mum commenting on the feeling after she had a mastectomy 20 years ago. Has anyone else experienced this sensation, or has anyone any idea of why this should happen? (Or am I just weird?! :smileyvery-happy:)
I saw your post yesterday but could not reply due to Forum techno issues. Well if you are weird then I am just as weird. And what is wrong with being a bit weird.? So glad to see your Post as I use to think I was on my own with this. You describe it very well, especially regarding cold drinks. I noticed this too when I had single mastectomy. I do not feel it as much now after after over two years since surgery.
I mentioned it to a medic once and they looked at me in the same way as when I asked why I was armpit odour free on both sides after chemo. It was an irritated look I have come to interpret as " do not ask us questions we do not have the answers to!! ". However, to the best of my knowledge, it is from surgical nerve irritation and/or damage. I came across an old thread on breast cancer. org and there were quite a few women who were thinking they were the only one who had the weird feeling. They were very pleased to find there were others having a similar experience. I am seeing a surgeon soon and will ask again about it.