Tight chest from mastectomy scars

2»

Comments

  • cheeto1
    cheeto1 Member Posts: 4
    #22
    scars
    Hi
    I am a Physical Therapist and was looking online to help one of my dbl mastectomy patients look for a better bra and noticed your query. I am an advocate of receiving manual therapy by a qualified person as soon as your tissue is stable enough to allow to help prevent severe adhesions from building up and preventing arm movement, neck movement and causing postural dysfunction. I have literally released tissue away from the ribs of my patient by gradual myofascial release techniques and of course, self stretching on her part. Let me know if this helps...abratun@yahoo.com
  • cheeto1
    cheeto1 Member Posts: 4
    #23
    cheeto1 said:

    scars
    Hi
    I am a Physical Therapist and was looking online to help one of my dbl mastectomy patients look for a better bra and noticed your query. I am an advocate of receiving manual therapy by a qualified person as soon as your tissue is stable enough to allow to help prevent severe adhesions from building up and preventing arm movement, neck movement and causing postural dysfunction. I have literally released tissue away from the ribs of my patient by gradual myofascial release techniques and of course, self stretching on her part. Let me know if this helps...abratun@yahoo.com

    bras for double mastectomy
    Do any of you who have commented have ideas for more comfortable bras that dont pull on your neck and shoulders so much with the prosthesis'??
  • cheeto1
    cheeto1 Member Posts: 4
    #24
    cheeto1 said:

    scars
    Hi
    I am a Physical Therapist and was looking online to help one of my dbl mastectomy patients look for a better bra and noticed your query. I am an advocate of receiving manual therapy by a qualified person as soon as your tissue is stable enough to allow to help prevent severe adhesions from building up and preventing arm movement, neck movement and causing postural dysfunction. I have literally released tissue away from the ribs of my patient by gradual myofascial release techniques and of course, self stretching on her part. Let me know if this helps...abratun@yahoo.com

    bras for double mastectomy
    Do any of you who have commented have ideas for more comfortable bras that dont pull on your neck and shoulders so much with the prosthesis'??
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #25
    Nancy
    I had an appt with a professional mastectomy bra fitter. We tried a few dozen styles before finding the styles that looked best. My prosthesis are very heavy and I don't wear them as often since gaining weight. I do however wear my leisure bras with the weighted foam inserts. Very comfy since I don't work outside the home.
    {{hugs}} Char
  • cabbott
    cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
    #26
    cheeto1 said:

    bras for double mastectomy
    Do any of you who have commented have ideas for more comfortable bras that dont pull on your neck and shoulders so much with the prosthesis'??

    Just a thought
    There are companies that offer bras with built in foam inserts that can be washed. You use them until they have to be replaced and then you replace the whole thing. I see them at Jodee (mastectomy bra mail order). You can get the catalog via internet. There are probably other places to get them, but this is the one I know. I have heard of inflatable protheses too, but only in a story where someone wore them on a plane trip and when the pressure changed it popped. . .well, I wouldn't recommend you go that route for obvious reasons. But a double mastectomy might find relief with the built in foam insert bras and insurance will probably pay for them. A cheaper route might be to purchase two swimming prostheses. They are hollow on the back but they fill up the mastectomy bra. The advantage would be that the individual bras are cheaper and can be replaced as needed while the inserts last for a few years. I would go to a store that sells them to try them out to make sure that's not too heavy rather than get a set by mail order. The built in insert bras would be the lightest and I think you could mail order them if you know exactly what size to get. The operators at Jodee's can talk you through the measuring part if you can't get to a sizer who is professionally trained.
  • dawnnadine
    dawnnadine Member Posts: 3
    #27
    chest tightness after a bilateral mastectomy on 1/26/12
    I have had chest tightness- like wearing a way too small bra 24/7 and having an elephant sitting on your chest- since my surgery. I have spoken with my surgeon; I have a weekly acupuncturist session and I hula hoop daily, swim a couple of times a week and take walks. My range of motion is excellent but the chest tightness is relentless. With no relief solutions yet from the professionals I have taken it upon myself to find something that works. (When I mentioned my tightness to the oncologist assistant he commented that while he did not think it was related to my heart ~ he insisted that I go to the emergency room for a heart work up. I know my body well and I know my heart is healthy so I politely told him that I would go to the gym. He was pissed but I went to the gym and had a great work out...no better way to relieve stress.)
    Remedies- some that work and some that don't:

    Heat pads~ felt good at times, but I ended up giving myself a 2nd degree burn.

    Cold pads with heat pads over them ~ bingo! I used my 2 cancer camisoles and inserted a cold pack in the first one, then I put on the second camisole and inserted the heat pad.
    I am wearing this funny looking outfit now- and have no tight chest and a bonus ~ I look like I have 36D bust (I am flat as a pancake and plan to stay that way ~ no re-construction for me~ I'm getting rid of stuff, not adding stuff to my body).

    Pressure points ~ my chest was particularly tight on the long drive home from NYC last week. Fortunately a friend was driving so I was able to put pressure on a point between my non existant breasts. For some reason the pressure totally relieved the tightness in my chest. Now I need to figure out a way to always have the pressure there without having to walk around with my fist pressed to my chest...

    And on St Patrick's Day the solution might be to add a shot of Tullamore Dew and a good beer to the dinner menu!

    I am eager to hear from others regarding ways to ease the elephant sitting on your chest feelings and also how long it took for the tightness to diminish.
  • dawnnadine
    dawnnadine Member Posts: 3
    #28
    chest tightness after bilateral mastectomy on 1/26/12
    Hi Nancy,
    How are you doing now- any tightness?
    Dawn
  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #29
    dawnnadine said:

    chest tightness after a bilateral mastectomy on 1/26/12
    I have had chest tightness- like wearing a way too small bra 24/7 and having an elephant sitting on your chest- since my surgery. I have spoken with my surgeon; I have a weekly acupuncturist session and I hula hoop daily, swim a couple of times a week and take walks. My range of motion is excellent but the chest tightness is relentless. With no relief solutions yet from the professionals I have taken it upon myself to find something that works. (When I mentioned my tightness to the oncologist assistant he commented that while he did not think it was related to my heart ~ he insisted that I go to the emergency room for a heart work up. I know my body well and I know my heart is healthy so I politely told him that I would go to the gym. He was pissed but I went to the gym and had a great work out...no better way to relieve stress.)
    Remedies- some that work and some that don't:

    Heat pads~ felt good at times, but I ended up giving myself a 2nd degree burn.

    Cold pads with heat pads over them ~ bingo! I used my 2 cancer camisoles and inserted a cold pack in the first one, then I put on the second camisole and inserted the heat pad.
    I am wearing this funny looking outfit now- and have no tight chest and a bonus ~ I look like I have 36D bust (I am flat as a pancake and plan to stay that way ~ no re-construction for me~ I'm getting rid of stuff, not adding stuff to my body).

    Pressure points ~ my chest was particularly tight on the long drive home from NYC last week. Fortunately a friend was driving so I was able to put pressure on a point between my non existant breasts. For some reason the pressure totally relieved the tightness in my chest. Now I need to figure out a way to always have the pressure there without having to walk around with my fist pressed to my chest...

    And on St Patrick's Day the solution might be to add a shot of Tullamore Dew and a good beer to the dinner menu!

    I am eager to hear from others regarding ways to ease the elephant sitting on your chest feelings and also how long it took for the tightness to diminish.

    Occupational Therapy
    I had severe scar tissue adhesions after my bmx, too. I found two ot's that job shared that massaged my scar tissue and taught me some stretching exercises and simple yoga techniques as well. The massage that was done was not a normal massage like you would get. It is comprised of techniques to release the scar tissue. I have excellent flexibility as well, but it didn't stop the scar tissue adhesions. I still get tight feelings in the chest and wonder if I should go back for some more ot. Some women continue to have problems with scar tissue for some time. As far as how long it takes to go away, everyone heals at their individual rates.
  • dawnnadine
    dawnnadine Member Posts: 3
    #30
    cinnamonsmile said:

    Occupational Therapy
    I had severe scar tissue adhesions after my bmx, too. I found two ot's that job shared that massaged my scar tissue and taught me some stretching exercises and simple yoga techniques as well. The massage that was done was not a normal massage like you would get. It is comprised of techniques to release the scar tissue. I have excellent flexibility as well, but it didn't stop the scar tissue adhesions. I still get tight feelings in the chest and wonder if I should go back for some more ot. Some women continue to have problems with scar tissue for some time. As far as how long it takes to go away, everyone heals at their individual rates.

    chest tightness after bmx
    Are you talking about myofascial release massage? I have an appointment on Friday with a therapist who works with a lot of cancer folks on this so I am hopeful.
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #31
    dawnnadine said:

    chest tightness after bilateral mastectomy on 1/26/12
    Hi Nancy,
    How are you doing now- any tightness?
    Dawn

    dawnnadine ..
    So sorry to hear about your experience, it is one I, as well as so many bilateral
    mastectomy Sisters know all so well.

    What helped me .. was to apply frozen pea's wrapped in a kitchen towel on the
    tight areas == maybe 5 minutes each area. Also, I used ibuprofen, or extra
    strength Tylenol.

    Quick question --- how often are you doing your exercises prescribed by Plastic
    Surgeon and/or Physcial Therapist?

    Have you called your Physician and asked for suggestions?

    Sorry to say, it takes some time for our newly unformed breast == with tissue
    expander's to cooperate and become one with our bodies.

    Please let us know how you are doing, and feeling. We are here 24hours a day,
    7 days a week.

    Strength, Courage and HOPE for a Cure.

    Vicki Sam
  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #32
    dawnnadine said:

    chest tightness after bmx
    Are you talking about myofascial release massage? I have an appointment on Friday with a therapist who works with a lot of cancer folks on this so I am hopeful.

    Yes, that is what I am
    Yes, that is what I am talking about. And it worked wonders on me! I had it twice a week, an hour each appt. Hopefully, if it is scar tissue that will help. Don't be surprised if it hurts while the scars are loosening up. My therapist could tell where it was the worst, where it was better. After some time going there, I could even tell her where I felt tight. Hopefully the therapist will provide you some things to do at home. I was sent home with exercises, bands, and a styrofoam pad to put under my back for stretching.

    I had my bmx with node dissection on 1/11/11. It has been over a year and I still have problems with those scar tissue adhesions. I still do my exercises, but mine are stubborn. My partner, Brian, is nagging me to go back to OT for more. I guess when it gets bad enough I will, but the wiser thing would be to go now....

    I am glad you are going for that. It should really help you out!!!
  • Clementine_P
    Clementine_P Member Posts: 518 Member
    #33
    Massage
    Hi Nancy,

    I too experienced worsening tightness over the year and a half post my mastectomies (with sentinel node removal) despite the fact that I am physically very active. I ended up telling my oncologist (only because it was morphing into significantly restricted range of motion in my neck) who recommended a person that specializes in exactly this problem. I have been seeing her about 2x a week now for the past three months and my situation has improved about 85% so far. She basically massages my armpit and scar area on both sides and has given me some stretches and exercises to do. This massage has worked wonders for me and I have been assured that in another month or so I should be 100%. She tells me that for the next year I should continue doing the exercises she prescribed to keep this problem from creeping back. I'm more than happy to continue on with my exercises though if it means being back to normal again with respect to range of motion and tightness.

    Let me know if I can pass along her name to you. We may not be in the same area but maybe she will have a name to refer you to.

    I hope you are feeling better,
    Clementine
  • jimdeb86
    jimdeb86 Member Posts: 1
    #34
    BMX scar tissue
    Hi.
    I had my BMX w/ lymph nodes and tissue expanders 3/10/11, radiation and implants (very sm) Dec 2011. I am currently doing PTO and I am down to once a wk. They are thinking I'll be ready for release by next month except I am really worried (scared) that it won't get better.
    I have nerve issues on both my arms and into my neck. The scar tissue, hmmm, how much can you describe?? One therapist said that the reason my head hurts in the middle back is because the tissue connects to it and it's a very tender area. It's hard to believe that it affect so much and so that far from the main area.
    I am NOT giving up by any means, but I am just really frustrated and am glad that others have the same problem and have some great ideas!!!

    Thank you, Debbie
  • h023641
    h023641 Member Posts: 1
    #35
    jimdeb86 said:

    BMX scar tissue
    Hi.
    I had my BMX w/ lymph nodes and tissue expanders 3/10/11, radiation and implants (very sm) Dec 2011. I am currently doing PTO and I am down to once a wk. They are thinking I'll be ready for release by next month except I am really worried (scared) that it won't get better.
    I have nerve issues on both my arms and into my neck. The scar tissue, hmmm, how much can you describe?? One therapist said that the reason my head hurts in the middle back is because the tissue connects to it and it's a very tender area. It's hard to believe that it affect so much and so that far from the main area.
    I am NOT giving up by any means, but I am just really frustrated and am glad that others have the same problem and have some great ideas!!!

    Thank you, Debbie

    Tightness around the scar

    I am so blessed to have found this site. I thought I was the only one that felt like I was in a vice grip. You have given me ideas to loosen the attachment of skin to the chest wall and ideas for exercises. I am truly grateful. I'm disappointed that the doctor never said anything about this even being a possibility. I can crawl up the wall (with my arm) and raise it in fornt of me but this is different. I will see a massage therapist as soon as I can and in the meantime, thank all of you and the Forces that led me here.

  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #36
    h023641 said:

    Tightness around the scar

    I am so blessed to have found this site. I thought I was the only one that felt like I was in a vice grip. You have given me ideas to loosen the attachment of skin to the chest wall and ideas for exercises. I am truly grateful. I'm disappointed that the doctor never said anything about this even being a possibility. I can crawl up the wall (with my arm) and raise it in fornt of me but this is different. I will see a massage therapist as soon as I can and in the meantime, thank all of you and the Forces that led me here.

    Hi ho23641. I think you may

    Hi ho23641. I think you may want to see a physical or occupational therapist who deals with breast cancer issues or a massage therapist who is trained in myofascial release of scar tissue. I saw an occupational therapist to release my scar tissue. Even two years later I still have problems with it. I would not trust anyone that is not trained. An occupational or physical therapist would know what stretching and exercising that would work for you. Again, I think it is important to see someone trained to deal with these issues. I would not trust just any massage therapist. 

    Have you discussed these issues with your doctor? Did you have a single or bilateral mastectomy? Did you have reoncstruction? How far out from surgery are you?  All these are important factors in your treatment plan. 

    Please discuss you tightness with your doctor before you start going out on your own. It is always imperative to run things by the doctor first. I am sure your doctor/surgeon can recommend someone with experience that can help you.

  • Tanzietiger
    Tanzietiger Member Posts: 1
    #37
    Stretches for scar tissue tightness

    I had double masectomy full clearance lympnodes  Jan 2014 chemo radiation and all that crap

    hysterectomy year later

    hematoma and seroma  on scar on chest and major rotar cuff pain from that

    I do the ritual stretching surgeons tell you to do 3 times a day But that no where near enough

    i found using rolling  tennis balls on armpits and and around scar helps with stretching 

    I roll golf ball under my feet I use foam roller to stretch back 

    and massage whole body everyday

    i put legs on the wall to stretch either side 

     

    also gentle yoga morning stretch

    i have a great physio guy who is a master martial artist he is the only one who can help with acupuncture and deep tissue massage

    deep water running classes are my only way I can get to do cardio because chemo and radiation side affects crippled me I hope next year will be better 

    I r

  • Rockpat46
    Rockpat46 Member Posts: 2
    #38
    Breast cancer scars

    I had breast cancer in 2000 my cancer scar burns and pull a lot when i lift or pull on anything. Is this normal. Thank you

  • Rockpat46
    Rockpat46 Member Posts: 2
    #39
    Note

    went to the dr I have adhesion of my breast cancer scar. Dr said acupuncture might help  did any body haver try that thank you

  • Apaugh
    Apaugh Member Posts: 850 Member
    #40
    Physical Therapy

    I had these problems and I kept pushing for the doc to refer me to a Physical Therapist who specialized in breast massage and lymphedema.   I spent 12 weeks with her and she helped so much.  They know how to evaluate the needs and they are gentle. 

    I have lymphedema in both arms due to the surgery.  It will be life long.  So she taught me how to care for myself, keep loose and stretch those nerves in a postive way.  Yes, I have it also in my neck and shoulders.  Cancer..the gift that keeps on giving.  But I wont let it beat me.  I am a fighter.

    Hugs,

    Annie

Discussion Boards