I have been bothered by nerve pain since having a bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction 4 yrs ago. When I was receiving Taxol I was started on Neurontin ( Gabapentin )for the neuropathy that I started experiencing. I also had the tight band feeling around my chest. I am very sensitive to touch across my chest. I continue to take Neurontin but have been taking much less of a dose. For me it helps. Time does help and I think getting a bra and prosthesis that is comfortable for me is key. My bra lady as I call her has been very helpful over the yrs trying to find bras that are comfortable. This past year I started wearing a very light silicone breast form if anyone is interested in knowing the brand and style. I agree with all of you that I had NO idea what the aftermath of breast surgery was going to be like !! But, we are all here and for that I am very thankful !!

@A MyBCTeam Member: I experienced a very tight band around my upper torso after surgery. I felt like I was being squeezed all the time. It was aggravating,but I am sure it was just from the swelling. I am 5 years past and some days are painful; most aren't. I believe that some of the nerves have regenerated and that's what I am feeling. I just take a couple of Extra Strength Tylenol tabs and it feels better.

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A MyBCTea...

One year after bilateral mastectomy , one side radiation and reconstruction ( silicone)
I’m in pain all the time
( both sides , but the one with lymph nodes removed hurts more)
I feel pain under breasts, around , under arm one side, under shoulder blade on one side
Kind of pain changes all the time
( tightness, burning, stunning, shooting and stinging like bees)
Neurontin helps some
Nothing else works
I tried over the counter pain medicine, voltaren, capsaicin, cupping therapy , massages, CBD and ….
I hope it will be better some day and my nerves will recover
I wanted to remove implants , but my surgeon recommended to wait longer and told me that pain is not because of implants , that nerve damage is already done anyway
Stay strong sisters !
I wish all of us to be pain free.

When we say it is nerve pain we mean it is neuropathic pain which is different than other pain. It can be a combination of different sensations such as burning, tightness, sharp stabbing pain, and numbness and hypersensitivity. Sometimes it seems that some Motrin does help but mostly I rely on the Neurontin I was prescribed.

I had what I could only describe to my surgeon as bursts of fire in my chest. She said it was the nerves misfiring. Eventually it stopped.