Post bilateral mastectomy hypersensitivity nerve pain in chest and axilla
Hi, I am new here. Recent dx of R sided ER+, PR+, HER2 - breast cancer at 40 years old. Chose B mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. Just had drains removed at nearly 4 weeks post (sx was 8/12/25). I have been dealing with a lot of hypersensitivity to my chest/axilla region. I am a physical therapist by trade and plan to go to OP lymphedema therapy to see how they can help manage desensitization strategies. Unfortunately, this has been giving me a lot of anxiety due to the unknown of how long this may last and how much, if any of this will go away over time. I understand peripheral nerves are slow to regenerate and I think just the fear of the unknown is bothering me and I am soon going to be starting radiation as I did have a positive margin laterally 4mm along my chest wall (originally a 7 mm tumor) and I have also been having a lot of anxiety over the fact that I also have a lot of numbness (did not have a nipple sparing mastectomy). I guess im looking to see if others are in the same boat or have experienced similar and how their outcomes were (hopefully favorable in regards to my above concerns). I have read through many topics so far just starting on here, and cant say enough how strong all you women are out there facing this!
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I am also dealing with super anxiety of hypersensitive chest wall and upper breast and numbness. I'm 6 weeks post, and am finding some relief with cool packs, hot showers, just started infrared sauna, and I don't feel pain when I'm walking, moving, generally after. My abdomen incision and area healed from sensitivity quickly, closer to 4 weeks.
ER+, PR-, HER2- R side. Bilateral nipple sparing mastectomy and partial reconstruction from abdomen. I'm not doing chemo or radiation. This is my 2nd cancer surgery on the same breast. I'm taking tamoxifen.
I originally got a refill of pregabalin, and my surgeon primarily recommended a daily regimen of 100 mg pregabalin, 2400 mg ibuprofen, 300 mg acetometaphin. It didn't help, so I tried just 100 mg pregabalin; 50 in the am, and 50 later evening. Then, about 3.5 mg THC/CBD/CBN gummy to sleep, along with an herbal blend: passionflower, chamomile, ashwaganda, and others. That works for sleep. The pregabalin may work- I'm not sure. I take a one hour walk per day.
The nurses tell me 'most patients do not have pain after 4 weeks' and aren't taking any meds, either OTC or prescription. It's felt like really exceptional care dropped immediately to neglect, and dishonor, like they don't trust what I'm saying. I felt like some drug addict in the beginning, asking for a pregabalin refill. Now, I'm just trying to tough it out, cause I do know it will end. I'm taking Aleve right now, and it's taking away some of the tension and burn, as well as the cool pads.
I hope you find some path to relief.
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Hi @dakiniolsen , and welcome to the community! We're glad you're here, although we hate the reason… Dealing with hypersensitivity, numbness, and the anxiety that can come after surgery is really tough, and it’s completely normal to feel this way. We hope you’ll find comfort and support here among us.
We wanted to share these resources from our main site:
Also, @jgirl4858 you shared your experiences earlier. How have you been since then? We’d love to hear how you’re doing now.
Sending gentle hugs,
The Mods
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So I am now 7 weeks post op. The gabapentin I think is helping the sunburn feeling in the chest. My biggest issue right now is the incisions are painful and burn to the touch so it hurts when I have a sports bra on for too long. I still have numbness in my chest and where the nipples would have existed. I have burning pain to the right axilla. I think I got some sensation back to the left axilla and lateral left implant area. I had 5 lymph nodes removed on the right. I think it’s just a very slow process. I have basically full range of motion (a little tight on the right axilla) and sometimes I get a weird sensation in the right implant like i can feel it moving. I’m hoping this will continue to slowly improve. I don’t know how much of everything will return to normal and what permanent. Peripheral nerves take a very long time to regenerate and don’t always regenerate like they originally were. Prayers for continued recovery for myself and others!
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