Bilateral pain 4 weeks on

[rosie14]

Hi JETS you are definitely not on your own! I meet people that have known someone with BC and they have been back to work after 6 months. I am now 12 months down the line from diagnosis, chem, db mx with tissue expanders inserted and rads!! Have now had to have left tissue expander out due to repeated infections! So just had stitches out last night! I still get tightness across my chest and feel like I have a lead weight attached. I assumed it was the tissue expanders which were just as uncomfortable inflated. Most ladies can't feel the tissue expanders and suffer minor discomfort when the are inflated for a few hours- I wish!!! We are all different and do not follow the same journey. Hopefully we will all get there one day and feel comfortable!

[JETS]

Hi fizz and denmay x thx as it is very reassuring. Like u fizz I was a runner before and despite then"8 weeks" chat from my BCN - I kindof thought at half way point it wouldn't be quite this bad (d'oh!) codeine made me feel sick too and have gp appt for next week. I'm sure we will all get to a turning point soon like u say - it's just draining xxx

[FizzB]

Not on your own at all lovely! I had bilateral with immediate LD flap reconstruction 3.5 weeks ago and have really struggled the last few days with feeling very low due to the constant pain. I've been really positive up to this point, I am usually very fit, run 3-4 times a week & the realisation that I am not actually superwoman is hitting me very hard (although I had been told 4-8 weeks recovery, between you & I, I think I thought I'd have it smashed by now!! I am an idiot.)
Too much codeine makes me nauseous & constipated (brilliant combination!!) so am on ibuprofen/paracetamol through the day & Tramadol at night. On a positive note, the constant discomfort does stop me overdoing things and I am now walking further, although still very slow. It's just very wearing. And like you, I find it very hard to admit I am struggling.
I have no magic wand but I hope it helps a little to know that we're not all sailing through this. Gentle hugs xxx

[Denmay]

Hi, I had a bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction on the 19th November and still getting a tightness feeling around my chest especially later on in the day. Just wanted you to know you are not on your own. I have just finished 3 weeks of rads and I think people around me think that's it all over and done with! If only it was that simple xx

[JETS]

Thx Stella - it's reassuring that u at starting to get improvements and I'm grateful for the reminder that others have also struggled - I knew there had been a thread but couldn't find it - I don't really know what I expected but it wasn't this and it has been getting me down . i know that the emergency surgery ha resulted in more internal damage - my left side still has stitches showing etc but this doesn't stop any of this feeling so hard. Can't really explain this to anyone locally as feel like people are expecting me to bounce back now and are "sick of cancer" x

[Kentstar]

Hi, you may remember I posted about week 6 post op as I too was struggling and others seemed to have sailed through. Well I am now going into week 9 and the shooting pains and burning are getting less and less. I have just this morning washed floors and even done some Devils work ie ironing lol. 3 weeks ago I still couldn't do too much and was beginning to think I would never heal. Remember internal stitches apparently take longer to heal. A mastectomy is major surgery and you had both done plus post op problems. I am genuinely pleased for those that breeze through and back to work within a few weeks but I reckon at least 50% and probably more need a couple of months minimum. That recurrent burning pain in the upper arm is probably from lymph node biopsy which disturbs nerves. I only started driving properly at week 7 and that was uncomfortable to start with. I kept taking cocodomol but I think nerve pain requires different painkillers. Those electric shocks take my breath away but I have been fortunate in that I only get them for seconds rather than minutes. Speak to your GP about medication, you are not a weak person because you need pain relief, this is a time to forget the usual British stiff upper lip. I resort to my Italian side at times like this and make a lot of noise lol the whole neighbourhood knows if I'm suffering! Please take care of yourself and remember just what a lot you've been through only just over a month ago! Stella x

[JETS]

Hi
Sooooo tomorrow will be the start of week 4 post op bilateral and I am absolutely shattered - I was fortunate to always have good arm movement and do the exercises daily no problem. However I seriously wasn't expecting to still b in so much discomfort - others seem so together - I've had it all electric shocks, aching, real pain and now I seem to be left with recurrent burning sensations in my left arm ( top) but getting better. The total worst thing is the feeling that I am in some kind of barbed wire vice across my chest - a lot harder in the morning. I can't imagine getting back to work at the moment ( office based) and am totally fed up - please tell me this gets better or what others have done to relieve the pain ? Oh - no reconstruction at moment - waiting on oncology Appointment next weds so nothing else other then the surgery causing this at moment x