Second thoughts about implants.

Hi Karen, I haven't been on this site in a while and the first thing I see is your posting. I totally understand what you are talking about. Like you I had a double mastectomy, immediate reconstruction, implants placed under the muscle, but I have silicon/saline implants. It was five years ago for me. My constant complaint was that I felt like I had a rope tied under my arms and across my chest and an ocassional sharp pain. Yes and an itch inside that you can't scratch. It's a crazy feeling.

Well, as I said, it's 5 years later and I still have the feel that I have a rope tied across my chest and that ocassional sharp pain and an itch that I can't scratch. What I have found is that it has become a part of me and I don't concentrate on it like I did in the beginning. I know it's there, but it's not the most important thing. I guess I've just learn to live with the discomfort.

I'll say that if your implants, well your new breast look great, if the discomfort is bearable, keep the implants. I love how my implants, oops, my new breast, look.

I know it's hard, I use to cry all of the time about how I was stuck with these phony breast and discomfort, I couldn't even look at them. I called them Barbie Doll breast. But then I had the nipples tattooed on and they started looking more real and it got easier for me.

I do wear a bra because it seems that it keeps the breast from pulling down so to speak which feels better on the chest and back a little. You know they have all that water in them.

I hope some of my rambling you can find helpful. Hang in there. Take care

If there is anything else I can tell you, let me know. I don't know if I can give you my email or not.

Linda

cabbott said:

I don't have implants, but I did have a mastectomy and the itch that can't be scratched. The surgeon and his nurse warned me about phantom pain. The nerves have to be cut when they remove tissue, but they don't quit sending messages. Sometimes I swear someone is pinching me you know where, sometimes the feeling is a tingle. Massage helps me get rid of it sometimes, and sometimes I just have to wait. It was much worse the first month or so, but now it has been almost 5 years and those nerves still turn on from time to time. You might check with your surgeon to see if that is what the itch is or if it is something that can be remedied. Nothing I know of eliminates phantom pain, though (as I mentioned before), massage seemed to help a bit.

I have had the under muscle saline implant for 5 yrs. I had the tightness for a few months, but it went away. I have the itchy patch underneath too. And the back of my arm itches! when I scratch it, I can only feel the pressure- and tingle across my chest. Now I know why my dog shakes her leg when I rub her belly LOL. Ask your dr about the tightness- mine went away pretty fast.

I miss sleeping on my stomach- but not a bad price to pay to be alive.

Hi Karen, I have'nt posted in quite a long time. I am almost 4 years out since Dx. I had a mast/chemo/rad and immed reconstruction with tissue expander and 7 months later, the permanent one. I had all the pain you described, and the itching. I hated the way it felt hard. I did however, like how I looked in a bra - couldn't tell it was anything different. About 7 months after getting my implant, I developed an infection seemingly out of nowhere - high fever, chills, and red hot skin over implant. Long story short - had to have it removed, and was left with a wound that wouldn't heal. Weeks turned into months, and then I had to have hyperbaric treatments. Wound finally healed, but I have lots of scar tissue, and a less than desirable end result. I would never recommend this type of reconstruction in anyone considering it if they are planning radiation. I think that's what did me in...too much streching of the skin, and then radiation puts further stress on your tissues. Even after having it out, I'm still left with chronic pain, but I don't have that 'binding feeling' so much anymore. I would add, also, you should talk to your docs about medication. There are different things out there which can help ease nerve pain.