Super sensitive skin

carolu200
carolu200 Member Posts: 7
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I had a bilateral mastectomy on Sept. 7 and am doing OK except for the fact that the skin from incision lines up to my collar bone is super, super sensitive. Is this normal and if so, how long does it last? I can't stand anything touching my skin and it's driving me crazy! I walk around holding my shirt away from my skin. Any suggestions for relief would be much appreciated!

Carol

Comments

  • Katz77
    Katz77 Member Posts: 598
    #2
    Mmmmm
    Topless is an opition. Sorry. I didnt have this issue, but maybe tour onc or breast surgeon could get you something. When I had radition, I used some lidocaine gel like for sunburns. It was also with aloe. Maybe this would help. I may be nerve endings coming back to life. Cool compress or cool towels? Talk to the doc : ) Katz
  • jo jo
    jo jo Member Posts: 1,175
    #3
    Hi Carol i also had a
    Hi Carol i also had a bilaterial mastectomy and mine never got that bad but was on the border line of it...but alot of girls on here did have that and i believe its from the nerves that were cut and small veins tryin to heal and waking up. Im sure they will chime in soon.
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #4
    Katz77 said:

    Mmmmm
    Topless is an opition. Sorry. I didnt have this issue, but maybe tour onc or breast surgeon could get you something. When I had radition, I used some lidocaine gel like for sunburns. It was also with aloe. Maybe this would help. I may be nerve endings coming back to life. Cool compress or cool towels? Talk to the doc : ) Katz

    I would think its the nerve
    I would think its the nerve endings, but make sure its not red or puffy or hot. you may want to speak to your doc about it. My skin is sensative as well, but i had radiation so I figured it was from that. hope its just part of the healing process. most likely.
  • carolu200
    carolu200 Member Posts: 7
    #5
    Katz77 said:

    Mmmmm
    Topless is an opition. Sorry. I didnt have this issue, but maybe tour onc or breast surgeon could get you something. When I had radition, I used some lidocaine gel like for sunburns. It was also with aloe. Maybe this would help. I may be nerve endings coming back to life. Cool compress or cool towels? Talk to the doc : ) Katz

    Thanks!
    I thought about the topless route but it's getting kind of chilly out and it's bad enough having a cold head! I figured it was the nerve endings and the funny thing is that it's most sensitive in the late evening. I did remember the lidocaine cream that I used on my port during chemo and tried that. It helped a little. I see my oncologist tomorrow for my post-op exam and to discuss what comes next so I'll mention it to him.

    Carol
  • hoop77
    hoop77 Member Posts: 84
    #6
    Oh my yes!!!! I had that
    Oh my yes!!!! I had that horrible skin sensitivity and it was unbearable!!! I would have been up and out of bed and back to work in no time if not for that pain. You have my sympathy! Even a sheet touching my skin was painful, or the air from the blow dryer, just excruciating! Anyway, I got relief from my oncologist with a wonder drug Gabapentin. PLEASE ask your DR for a prescription! No pain meds will work but this was a life saver for me. It's used to treat epilepsy patients to prevent seizures but has a wonderful alternate use for nerve pain. It takes several days to get some relief but it really does help. My mastectomy was in May and I am still taking it. I've tried to stop a coupe of times but don't like the feeling so I get back on it. The burning, painful feeling is long gone, but I just don't like the tingly feeling from the numbness. I thought I was going crazy with this pain so call your doc tomorrow! Best of luck, hope you get relief soon!
    Laura

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