Posted on: Dec 9, 2008 10:57 PM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 13
eugenie wrote:
I am so bothered by this that I finally have to post this and get some feedback!!!! I had my bilateral skin sparing (AND nipple sparing on the non-cancer side) in March '08 in NYC with Dr. Allen. He took fat from my inner thighs and I am very happy with how the scars are healing/looking. Both on my boobs and my upper thighs (basically close to my crotch so I still wear a two piece, just must have a skirt on the bottom!). But my boobs itch terribly!! And it is strange but it only seems to bother me at night. I imagine this is the healing inside but I can't stand it. Dermatologist gave me cortisone cream but it is not that effective. Wanted to put this out there to see if anyone else has had this?
Dx 8/1/2007, IDC, <1cm, Stage , 0/ nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+
Log in to post a reply
Log in to post a reply
Dec 9, 2008 11:14 PM Deirdre1 wrote:
I didn't have this experience, but if I had (and for this long) I would touch base with the ps, just in case there is an infection somewhere that would be better addressed earlier than later.. and I did have the groin graft too. Itching usually does indicate healing but not always and for for it to have gone on like this since March well I'd check with the doc. Nothing to loose right? (except I hope the iching
Itching is a horrible thing if you can't get relief!!! Good Luck!
Log in to post a reply
Dec 10, 2008 01:01 AM Scrappygrl wrote:
I put baby powder over my itchiest area and just rubbed it in lightly. Of course my area was between where the breasts used to be so it wasnt like I really put it on the area that was healing but it did help tremendously with the itching. But I too recommend talking to your surgeon about it.
I was also told to use neosporin with pain relief...that might help with itchiness as well. I am just now starting to use the neosporin since stitches came out yesterday. Just to help heal better. Good luck. Amira
Dx 9/25/2008, IDC, 3cm, Stage II, 1/17 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Log in to post a reply
Dec 10, 2008 10:30 AM JustTurnedForty wrote:
I have itching mostly in the places where there is no feeling, so scratching doesn't even relieve it. It is so annoying! I had lat flap recon, so there are areas on my back that itch like that, too. It has been 1 1/2 years since surgery, and the itching has let up considerably. My husband used to scratch my back with his short, stubbly beard, and that worked great!
Janine, who is now 42
Dx 1/15/2007, DCIS, Stage 0, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR+
Beesie
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,194
Log in to post a reply
Dec 10, 2008 04:24 PM Beesie wrote:
This topic comes up every few months on this board. It might be itching from the healing of the scar but what's more likely is that it's phantom itching. This is actually quite common, although rarely discussed. I've had it too. I'm 3 years out now, so I get it less frequently (thank goodness!) but it still happens, even now. In my case the itching feels like it's deep inside my breast and of course, there's nothing in there except an implant. So there is no way to relieve the itch, scratching doesn't help. Mine happened mostly at night too and some nights it just drove me nuts. Cortisone cream never helped but I did get some relief from the anti-itch spray gels that contain camphor. Aveeno have one and I know there are others brands too. They are cooling and I think that's what helped. While the itch is a real feeling, it doesn't have a physical cause - I think the camphor worked (a bit) by replacing the itchy feeling with a cooling feeling.
Dx 9/15/2005, DCIS 6cm+ Grade 3 w/ IDC microinvasion, Stage I, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR-
Log in to post a reply
Dec 10, 2008 05:36 PM Deirdre1 wrote:
Beesie, I had this too but only for about 6 months and it wasn't a constant thing even at night. Is there a way to destinquish the "phanton itch" from a real biological process - something agrivating the internal skin? It seems to me that if it is a true phanton process then nothing except nerve meds would relieve it? It is a crazy making thing to try to itch the inside of the breast though.. I use to put cold compresses on and that seemed to help too. I wonder why the phanton process is not spoken about much when it comes to the breasts? Any ideas? Best
Log in to post a reply
Dec 16, 2008 08:58 AM eugenie wrote:
Thanks for all the info! As always, all of this is better than having to deal with cancer! I try the compresses and will also contact Dr. Allen's office (finally) to see what they have to say!
Dx 8/1/2007, IDC, <1cm, Stage , 0/ nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+