I had a mastectomy and implant reconstruction 2 weeks ago. I still have a nagging pain in the breast. Anybody else been through this who can advise me if this is normal and how long it will last?
Thanks
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Hi
im sorry you’ve got some pain post op. I had a mastectomy, no implant, a year ago and still have a lot of pain. 2 weeks is very early so not surprising you have some discomfort but during the op the surgeon has to go through a lot of nerves so may continue for some time. Nerve pain is very common and if it increases contact your BCN for help in dealing with that.
I hope your recovery continues well
take care xx
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Hi Lucy and all,
Just joining this thread as well, as also looking for reassurance please… I’m 6 weeks post double mastectomy with immediate implant reconstruction, and SLN biopsy on one side only… the breast and plastics surgeons are happy with my progress. I’ve been doing the physio arm exercises and have had pretty good range of movement from early on, but I still have a fair bit of pain and tightness across my chest, (and my new breasts feel very swollen and tender in the last week or so) and I have aching down my arms and swelling and pain in one underarm area especially, where the lymph node biopsy was. It’s always worse at night. Getting mixed messages from BCN and consultant around easing up or doing more of the arm exercises? I’m bit discouraged as feel I’m going backwards in terms of pain and discomfort. Seatbelt to tight to wear now in car. I’m still wearing a compression bra but a larger one than I originally was given. Consultant told me to wear a sports bra, but my old ones feel too tight and uncomfortable! Is this normal? It a version of normal? And will it pass? Any advice or similar experiences would be really appreciated! Thanks!
Hi Poppy
I’m sorry to hear that you’re going through this and you’re still having pain post op.
When I wrote my reply that was 5 years ago so can see things with perspective.
The op you’ve had is huge and will take quite some time to settle and recover. I had a sentinel node biopsy and my mastectomy in 2 surgeries and can say that the biopsy has been very painful over the years. They have to go very deep to do that and can be very painful for a long time.
Without alarming you, 6 years on from my op I still have nerve pain but that isn’t the norm. It’s going to take a long time for you to recover.
My personal opinion is that you keep going with the exercises to keep the movement in your arm. A good place for help and support is the breast cancer now nurses. They were a big help to me.
Take care Poppy, I hope you’ve got a lot of support around you, give yourself time to heal, it will get better xx
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Hi Lucy
Thanks so much for the prompt reply!
I am sorry you still have pain, I hope it is manageable, and not impacting your life too much? You are great to stay on here to support others like myself.
I guess I am in that strange place where the big physical stuff is passed, and I look great (apparently, I keep being told)! But my breasts feel swollen and tender, and I am needing to wear a larger bra - which I guess I wasn’t expecting, I had large boobs and was expecting them to be the same or more likely smaller… and as the day progresses I get more pain under my arm pit and down my arms, especially the right, which was were the lymph node biopsy was. I am trtying to listen to my body and rest more, as early in the day I am up and about pottering, and I do have good support from friends and family, and lots of visitors, but I am finding I need to lie down, to ease the soreness under my arms. I am a bit discouraged to still need pain killers later in the day. Thanks for the advice on the exercises. I feel too I should keep them up, but it is hard to get a consistent answer from the consultants and breast care team. They are great, they just give varying advice on some things. I have no doubt anxiety and a bit of the emotional piece is starting to play a role in how I am feeling. I feel so very very lucky to be in the position I am in, no further treatment needed, minimal cancer present, rist reducung surgery and reconstruction all went really well, but after 6 weeks I am just starting to really miss my active, energetic life and body.
Thanks so much again for your encouragement.
Take care Lucy,
xx
Hi I am a week post operation right mastectomy how long did you have to take painkillers for under my arm is very sore
Hi Poppy, I don’t normally check into the forum but I got an email notification to the reply id given. If I can offer some advice or support I’m happy to.
I had surgery and no further treatment and thought I should be all back to normal after but my head wasn’t having it and I found things very difficult. Everyone is happy you’re ok and you’re relieved treatment has ended but emotionally & physically you’ve got a lot of healing to do.
With the gift of hindsight I can see how short that time was and would say to you don’t rush things but you will get through all of this. Things won’t be the same because you’ve been through so much but you’ll find a place that you’re happy with and a peace and acceptance. I never thought that would happen but I think I’m there now.
Don’t try to rush things it won’t help and if you need support look out for counselling at cancer centres or contact your nurse for help if you need to. I’m sure you’ve been told to rest if you need to, it all helps with the healing. Take care of yourself xx
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Hi Misha1,
I’m sorry you’ve had to go through surgery and that you’re still in pain. From memory I only had painkillers in hospital, I wasn’t given anything for when I sent home but told to take paracetamol. Unfortunately there’s no one answer because everyone is different but if you need it to keep yourself mobile and able to do the exercises then there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s a very big operation and they go through a lot of nerves so will take time to settle. Don’t be in a hurry to do too much and just concentrate on getting yourself better, take care xx
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Thanks so much for this Lucy, it really, really helps. I guess I had this magical 4-6 weeks back to myself ish idea in my head. I do feel heaps better obviously, but yes, I am not there physically yet. The varying messages I was getting aroud compression bra, swelling and physiotherapy were confusing me as well, but I think I was also going around in circles from sleep deprivation and associated anxiety.
I got good advice from the BCN nurse aso and some other ladies posted as well. I am grateful to you all.
I am going to see my plastic surgery consultant tomorrow and have also hopefully got a meeting with the oncology physiotherapy team as well.
What you say is so true, everyone is delighted I am doing well, but in my head at least thery are moving on, and I was getting stressed at the swelling being so sore I couldnt wear a seatbelt and drive…
Like yourself and the BCN nurse, I got more realistic timeline advice from Cancer Society nurse as well,
I am still sore, and know there’s a road to go, emotionally as well as physically, but it is reassuring to hear that I am not an outlier, or that I am not doing anything wrong, or not healing. normally. Allowing myself to take the time and rest that I need, and getting a bit more patient and accepting.
Thank you again!
Hi Misha,
I hope you are doing ok, I am 6 weeks post double mastectomy with implant reconstruction and Sentinel node biopsy on one side. I took a lot of pain relief, and a week after I think I was still taking prescription anti imflammatories and gabapentin specifically for nerve pain. I think i went over to OTC painkillers then after about 10 or 14 days. Up until yesterday I was still taking some ibuprofen, once or twice a day. Most of my pain (and swelling) is on the right side, where I had the sentinel node biopsy.
I dont know if I am ‘typical’ but just wanted to share what I experienced with you.
Take care
Poppy.
Thanks poppy im 2.5 weeks post op . I had a sermons and had it drained 2 days ago . Hoping this pain eases soon and I hope you are improving also
Thanks Lucy I’m 2.5 weeks post op . I had a large seroma and it was drained on Friday there still taking tablets but mostly paracetamol.
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