my shoulders are curving in???????

mollyz
mollyz Member Posts: 756 Member

Ok ,I had left mastectomy with no reconstruction and my shoulders seem like they're  curving/rounding and it doesn't feed good It has been three years this pass April. does anyone else have this problem. I read about this problem last year on this site but i didn't feel like scrolling and looking for it.~~Mollyz~~

Comments

  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    I had a BMX with no

    I had a BMX with no reconstruction in 2011. I had that same problem. Mine was caused by three reasons.

    One, I had severe scar tissue ahesions on the chest that were so tight, they pulled my shoulders inward. I had OT with two wonderful ladies that did Myofascial Release on my chest, taught me some modified yoga for stretching at home, and a home routine of stretching. They really knew what they were doing. 

    Two, I have been a sloucher all my life and the BMX scar tissue and self-consciousness at first, made it worse.

    Three, for some reason I slouched out of self-consciousness about not having  having the breasts to balance out my belly fat.

    I still have to do stretching on my chest even being almost three years out from surgery.

    I also have to make a consious effort NOT to slouch and let the shoulders roll inward.

    I have also notice that in the past year, my shoulders would hurt in the morning from rolling inward from sleeping on my side. I keep a pillow by my chest so when I wake up, I hug it. BUT, I have noticed that since I had a mass removed from my lung on July 31st, 2013, my shoulder problem while sleeping is gone (but I don't recommend lung surgery to relieve that pain Laughing!)

    I hope this information helps you.

  • mollyz
    mollyz Member Posts: 756 Member

    I had a BMX with no

    I had a BMX with no reconstruction in 2011. I had that same problem. Mine was caused by three reasons.

    One, I had severe scar tissue ahesions on the chest that were so tight, they pulled my shoulders inward. I had OT with two wonderful ladies that did Myofascial Release on my chest, taught me some modified yoga for stretching at home, and a home routine of stretching. They really knew what they were doing. 

    Two, I have been a sloucher all my life and the BMX scar tissue and self-consciousness at first, made it worse.

    Three, for some reason I slouched out of self-consciousness about not having  having the breasts to balance out my belly fat.

    I still have to do stretching on my chest even being almost three years out from surgery.

    I also have to make a consious effort NOT to slouch and let the shoulders roll inward.

    I have also notice that in the past year, my shoulders would hurt in the morning from rolling inward from sleeping on my side. I keep a pillow by my chest so when I wake up, I hug it. BUT, I have noticed that since I had a mass removed from my lung on July 31st, 2013, my shoulder problem while sleeping is gone (but I don't recommend lung surgery to relieve that pain Laughing!)

    I hope this information helps you.

    Thanks for responding!!

    I read someone else had the same problem and when they had they're reconstruction that solved their problem,somethng about not being balanced. but i really don't want reconstruction,I've read to many surgeries and things going wrong,I wonder if i have a preventive mastectomy on the other side and had two prostisis would that even me out. lol ~~MollyZ~~

  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    mollyz said:

    Thanks for responding!!

    I read someone else had the same problem and when they had they're reconstruction that solved their problem,somethng about not being balanced. but i really don't want reconstruction,I've read to many surgeries and things going wrong,I wonder if i have a preventive mastectomy on the other side and had two prostisis would that even me out. lol ~~MollyZ~~

    breastcancer.org

    There is another website that I frequent called breastcancer.org. Unlike CSN, it is only devoted to breast cancer, so there are many forums specific things related to breast cancer.

    There is a good section called "Forum: Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy."

    I know there are women there with single mastectomies, I am sure you will get some help from them.

    If you are bigger chested, I can certainly see it being hard to keep the shoulder straight. I prosthetic might help,but i don't wear mine.

    Check the site out, I use both CSN and breastcancer.org

     

  • mollyz
    mollyz Member Posts: 756 Member

    breastcancer.org

    There is another website that I frequent called breastcancer.org. Unlike CSN, it is only devoted to breast cancer, so there are many forums specific things related to breast cancer.

    There is a good section called "Forum: Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy."

    I know there are women there with single mastectomies, I am sure you will get some help from them.

    If you are bigger chested, I can certainly see it being hard to keep the shoulder straight. I prosthetic might help,but i don't wear mine.

    Check the site out, I use both CSN and breastcancer.org

     

    Thanks cinnamonsmile

    I will check out that site. I'm a 36c so yea i think thats heavy to have just  one of(lol) and i hardly ever go with out the prosthetic.thanks again and God bless you.~~MollyZ~~

  • sea60
    sea60 Member Posts: 2,613
    Hi Molly!

    One thing no one considers is what women carry. Is your purse heavy? I remember when my daughter was in middle school, they thought she has Scoliosis (curvature of the spine)...it was her backpack! Fast forward years later, my sister's right shoulder was doing the same thing. It was her purse.

    We just never think of these things.

     

    HUGZ!

  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    Are you on estrogen blocker?

    If you are on an estrogen blocker, you might want to talk with your Drs about the possibility you have developed osteopenia or perhaps even osteoporosis.  The test is an easy one and there are meds to slow it down.

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan

  • IE_Hope
    IE_Hope Member Posts: 43
    Hi Mollyz,  I only had my

    Hi Mollyz,  I only had my surgery July and I noticed that my shoulders were curving in.  A freind of mine recommended a yoga instructor that also had breast cancer and she was able to personalize some shoulder moves and I can already see a difference.  Maybe yoga will help you.

     

    De

  • mollyz
    mollyz Member Posts: 756 Member
    Rague said:

    Are you on estrogen blocker?

    If you are on an estrogen blocker, you might want to talk with your Drs about the possibility you have developed osteopenia or perhaps even osteoporosis.  The test is an easy one and there are meds to slow it down.

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan

    I'm on an estrogen blocker

    I'm on Exmestane, and yes i have osteopenia with a little arthiris in the spine and i do get a shot called prolia every 6 months for my bones and waiting to pay some bills down to go get a bone denisty test,I've had a bone scan already,that's when they told  me about the athiritis in the spine and i excersise every day .~~MollyZ~~

  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    IE_Hope said:

    Hi Mollyz,  I only had my

    Hi Mollyz,  I only had my surgery July and I noticed that my shoulders were curving in.  A freind of mine recommended a yoga instructor that also had breast cancer and she was able to personalize some shoulder moves and I can already see a difference.  Maybe yoga will help you.

     

    De

    I have been seeing a

    I have been seeing a chiropractor since an accident at work. 40 pounds fell on my head and neck. the first thing he commented on was how I sit, shoulders rolled forward which put pressure on my neck, he also instructed me to strech my chest as the scar tissue was pulling me forward, I already moisturize, I put a pillow on my lower back to force me to sit straight. i am also getting myofacil release, it has all been helping. I did have an MRI and it showed arthritic changes and the bilat mastectomy ( 19 years apart) and the accident and my posture just made it all worse. Plus the emotional side of me tends to pull in to protect myself. and its an unconcious position on my part.

  • hope4thebest
    hope4thebest Member Posts: 108
    Yes, The Slouching Syndrome

    I have that, too.  It is uncomfortable, so I do not slouch any more!  My Grandmother would be so proud!  I am simply mindful of it.  Also, I use supportive chairs.  And, I sleep on my back, letting the shoulders uncurl.  Doing some yoga is also great for the body, if you can tolerate any light stretching.