OK I know this is a real thing because I searched it and found it described in a thread overseas.Ever since my mastectomy, I have had a very strange feeling every time I have a drink. Hot or cold it doesn't matter. Sometimes it's enough to take my breath away. Sometimes mild, sometimes almost painful. Nothing really to complain about but the strangest feeling! It sort of feels like a sudden rushing waterfall of ice water behind my ribs that washes down my chest on the side of the mastectomy.Has anyone else had anything similar?

For me,it was an itchy nipple that wasn’t there!

Oh wow I haven't heard of that. Sorry to hear you are experiencing that.

Its not exactly painful, just very very strange feeling! One of those things they don't tell you about. I did find a thread on an English BC page about it. Everyone on it said "Yes me too, I thought I was going crazy!" or something similar. I wondered if anyone on here had it tooApparently it's because of nerve damage from when the lymph nodes are removed. First time it happened I thought I had spilt my drink down my front.

Definitely about the nerves. For me my armpit always felt wet. Nerve damage

My 'phantom' movement was to sweep my hair to the side before I sat down...when I was as bald as a billiard ball. Photo before chemo explains why this was necessary...otherwise I'd sit on it, or it would get slammed in the car door.

Strange symptoms after mastectomy

HinterlandSian
Member
4 years ago
i definitely had phantom boob syndrome! It faded away after about a month but I swear it was still there and start scratching away in mid-air like a puppy with an itch. I like to think it was a carry-over from the dude who gave me the nipple injection pre surgery who was really concerned that I would get a reaction to the bandaid he put over it as I have a tape allergy. He couldn't work out why I was laughing so hard until I pointed out to him that they were just about to cut the whole boob off and that the tape reaction wasn't going to be my main concern!!
Lythe
Member
4 years ago
@Sue_w I have had the exact same sensation. Only with cold drinks though. It made drinks in the middle of winter unpleasant so I started warming up water to drink it. I’ve never had it before! It hasn’t been as noticeable the last few weeks but I’m not sure if that’s because the weather is warming up though.
SoldierCrab
Member
4 years ago
oh Hell I still do that and then think oh oh I am in public
Sue_w1
Member
4 years ago
When covid lockdowns are over, I'm going to have to keep reminding myself that it is NOT appropriate to rub your mastectomy scar in public!
SoldierCrab
Member
4 years ago
I get itchy nipples and scratch in mid air to relieve the itch... Had no nipples now for 9 yrs after double mastectomy ....
StrongCoffee
Member
4 years ago
I scratch a spot on the back of my neck and it gives me a sharp pain in my non-existent nipple.

Nerves are weird!
Sue_w1
Member
4 years ago
Hi @June1952 It takes you by surprise sometimes when you forget it/they aren't there anymore. LOL
Sue_w1
Member
4 years ago
Wow @AllyJay I was never able to grow my hair that long! Yep, I can certainly understand why you'd be getting those feelings
AllyJay
Member
4 years ago
My 'phantom' movement was to sweep my hair to the side before I sat down...when I was as bald as a billiard ball. Photo before chemo explains why this was necessary...otherwise I'd sit on it, or it would get slammed in the car door.
June1952
Member
4 years ago
I have gone to 'flip' the boob more comfortably back into to bra to find there is no boob (or bra) there 😂😂😂😂