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Robyn_W's avatar
Robyn_W
Member
11 years ago

Tightness

Hello ladies:) I had my mastectomy 9 months ago next week.I have been one of the lucky ones I think,all the way through my journey.Surgery and chemo was OK,and recovery was pretty quick.The last couple of weeks,I have noticed an increasing tightness across my chest,on the side that I had my mastectomy.It actually feels like I have tape stretched across it.I don't have any problems or restrictions with my arm movements,but It is starting to be difficult to lay on the surgery side to sleep,as it now hurts.It never did before,and I was wondering if any other ladies have experienced this?Thankyou and I hope that everyone is going along as well as they can be.xxxCheers Robyn
chemotherapy
mastectomy

7 Replies

  • dizumba's avatar
    dizumba
    Member
    11 years ago

    Yes same to me I have tightness , trouble sleep of breast fake !!!! Ha  And other side normal breast  , I had silicone implant surgery 3 weeks ago , removed explander Yay ,put beaut soft silicone in :) , but still bit swallow , uncomfortable , it normal will go down 2-6 months :( , I keep exercise carefully any way 

    hardly believe survivor past one year now since mastectomy ,, 

    i am very well  normal ,but can feel  left breast is fake with smile ,thank God for my survivor ......

    hope your go well ,take care 

    hugs ,,,, Dianne. X x x 

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    11 years ago
    I've had tightness ever since my mastectomy 4 years ago.I originally had radiation to that breast in 2003 so that may have contributed to it. My chest feels like I have duck tape across it.My surgeon said it was adhesions -basically my skin is stuck to my chest wall and not much can be done about it.She said a DIEP reconstruction might help but that's a drastic measure. The weird thing is,when I have my prosthesis and bra on,the tightness is not as noticeable.I think this is a "normal"issue with a mastectomy but check it with your breast care nurse or surgeon.After a few years,I was able to lie on my mastectomy side in bed- but not all night or it gets sore. Tonya xx
  • Michelle_R's avatar
    Michelle_R
    Member
    11 years ago

    Like everyone above, I still feel tight across the chest 2 years later - but I find if I massage briefly with Essentials Vitamin E cream, it goes away.  This doesn't work with other creams I have tried, or with Bio Oil - so it seems this is the right cream for me. I have used it non-stop since radiation 18 months ago.  Good luck - Michelle xxx

  • Michelle_R's avatar
    Michelle_R
    Member
    11 years ago

    Like everyone above, I still feel tight across the chest 2 years later - but I find if I massage briefly with Essentials Vitamin E cream, it goes away.  This doesn't work with other creams I have tried, or with Bio Oil - so it seems this is the right cream for me. I have used it non-stop since radiation 18 months ago.  Good luck - Michelle xxx

  • All_smiles's avatar
    All_smiles
    Member
    11 years ago
    Hi Robyn, I had a mastectomy a year ago and at about the 9 month mark I started to feel really tight accross the mastectomy scar area . Prior to that I had had great movement and no trouble. It's actually gone now but at the time I was told it could be due to some of the nerves regenerating . I did however also have radiotherapy around that time too.I just kept up with the bio oil and continued with my exercises . I hope that helps Sophie xx
  • All_smiles's avatar
    All_smiles
    Member
    11 years ago
    Hi Robyn, I had a mastectomy a year ago and at about the 9 month mark I started to feel really tight accross the mastectomy scar area . Prior to that I had had great movement and no trouble. It's actually gone now but at the time I was told it could be due to some of the nerves regenerating . I did however also have radiotherapy around that time too.I just kept up with the bio oil and continued with my exercises . I hope that helps Sophie xx
  • c_yeo's avatar
    c_yeo
    Member
    11 years ago

    I too have tightness across my chest but it started soon after I started Chemo. I have mentioned it to  the onco. and she said it may be effects of chemo and told to take panadol for it. But now Chemo is 7 weeks over, I stlll have the tightness ocross my pecs  (axillary clearance side) in additional to the slight cording in the armpit and forearm. I mentioned this to my radiation onco before radiation stsrted and she sent me to a physiotherapist.

    The physiotherapist gave me some stretching exercises and massage to do. It appears to help with the tightness but have not got rid of it. I think it probably needs time.

    Don't know whether it is similar thing but best to get it check out.  Hope you are keeping ok otherwise.