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Bra discomfort after breast cancer treatment: Tips?

Posted by kamra @kamra, Oct 15, 2023

Hello, I finished treatment (lumpectomies in both breasts and radiation) a few months ago, but I'm still having trouble wearing a bra throughout the day. After exercise, particularly, I feel like I am ready to rip it off. I suspect there is chafing. It doesn't matter if I'm wearing a sports bra or just a soft bra. I have noticed it even if I'm wearing a camisole. I have small breasts. It's mostly sensitive under the breast on the left side, near where one of the incisions was. But it can travel throughout the left breast. I wonder if it's the nerves that are being affected. Any experience with this will be appreciated.

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maggieb892 | @maggieb892 | Oct 18, 2023
In reply to @kamra "These are such helpful comments. Thank you! I went to see my radiologist and she said..." + (show)
@kamra

These are such helpful comments. Thank you! I went to see my radiologist and she said I have some lymphedema, so I start PT on Monday. She said massage really helps to break up the scar tissue, so I hope that works for me. I don't have the underarm issue--under the breast mainly. Going braless for more than 24 hours seemed to help, and my yoga class yesterday felt great. I wore a sports bra for that and I feel some discomfort today. I did buy bigger bras--increasing from b to c. I probably should have done that from the beginning. I can't tell if my breasts are permanently bigger or just swollen.

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I hope your therapist specializes in lymphedema. The massage was helpful but so were the special stretching technique and tools my therapist used ( certainly NOT fun). When I started wearing the compression camisole reguarly, I noticed a more consistent reduction in issues. We are all so different and you know what works for you. I may be "graduating" but I will be stretching and exercising the rest of my life!

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1 reply
flowergal | @flowergal | Oct 18, 2023
In reply to @chickenmom10 "I’m just putting this out there. It seems that we are having issue bras. I went..." + (show)
@chickenmom10

I’m just putting this out there. It seems that we are having issue bras. I went through the same thing lot of scar tissue. I talked with my oncologist and she wrote me a prescription for bra’s. Since I have lump/ reconstructive surgery my left breast was different. My insurance paid for 6 bra’s and an insert so that my breast would look the same under my clothes. Out of pocket I paid 100.00. Went to a shop that specializes in women cancer stuff. My oncologist gave me a referral for a few store in my area. Just a thought

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I too would love to find a bra that doesn't have such a skinny band beneath my breasts. (Had lumpectomy) I bought two front close sports bras but they too are too skinny at the bottom.
If you have recommendations I would love to know what they are! My doctor did provide suggestions. Ty

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chickenmom10 | @chickenmom10 | Oct 18, 2023

I bought mine from the specialty store that my oncologist recommended plus added that I needed an insert on left breast. They took measurements and asked what kind of bra I like. They had all kinds. From fitted to stretchy kinds ( which I prefer the stretchy kind) just doesn’t ride up like sport bra or front zippers ones. Hope this helps

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kamra | @kamra | Oct 18, 2023
In reply to @maggieb892 "I hope your therapist specializes in lymphedema. The massage was helpful but so were the special..." + (show)
@maggieb892

I hope your therapist specializes in lymphedema. The massage was helpful but so were the special stretching technique and tools my therapist used ( certainly NOT fun). When I started wearing the compression camisole reguarly, I noticed a more consistent reduction in issues. We are all so different and you know what works for you. I may be "graduating" but I will be stretching and exercising the rest of my life!

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Thank you. Yes, the PT is part of the breast care center team.

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frogjumper | @frogjumper | Oct 19, 2023

My pain felt a bit like prickly heat on both breasts and down my arm (the side the LNB was done) it felt like it has been burned. Nothing was comfortable but my polar fleece wrap robe. I ended up massaging where the nerve pain was in my arm and using a heating pad. Also put some generic Voltaren gel on it. It all was over after about 12 weeks. I say just wear whatever feels comfy till it passes. I really did limit my bra wearing until it felt better.

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1 reply
kamra | @kamra | Oct 19, 2023
In reply to @frogjumper "My pain felt a bit like prickly heat on both breasts and down my arm (the..." + (show)
@frogjumper

My pain felt a bit like prickly heat on both breasts and down my arm (the side the LNB was done) it felt like it has been burned. Nothing was comfortable but my polar fleece wrap robe. I ended up massaging where the nerve pain was in my arm and using a heating pad. Also put some generic Voltaren gel on it. It all was over after about 12 weeks. I say just wear whatever feels comfy till it passes. I really did limit my bra wearing until it felt better.

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Yes, I have one pj top that is the only thing that feels comfortable. And my bathrobe over that. The prickly heat is exactly right, but I just have it in the breast and under the breast. I hope it will pass. I'm bra free for the time being.

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1 reply
frogjumper | @frogjumper | Oct 19, 2023
In reply to @kamra "Yes, I have one pj top that is the only thing that feels comfortable. And my..." + (show)
@kamra

Yes, I have one pj top that is the only thing that feels comfortable. And my bathrobe over that. The prickly heat is exactly right, but I just have it in the breast and under the breast. I hope it will pass. I'm bra free for the time being.

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I had a reduction done so it was both breasts feeling funky. Sounds like mine, it will probably get better just like mine did. Sending you some very gentle hugs!!

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1 reply
Rubyslippers | @triciaot | Jan 14 11:15am
In reply to @frogjumper "I had a reduction done so it was both breasts feeling funky. Sounds like mine, it..." + (show)
@frogjumper

I had a reduction done so it was both breasts feeling funky. Sounds like mine, it will probably get better just like mine did. Sending you some very gentle hugs!!

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Could I ask you about the results of your reduction? I had a right lumpectomy, then both breasts were reduced from DD to about a C- on the left and D- on the right. I think the plastic surgeon expected the radiation to shrink my right breast some - but it ended up swelling. He does not think it’s fluid retention, the MRI does not show any pockets. I’m 15 months post radiation. I’ll see the cancer center plastic surgeon in April.
The reduction of both breasts were done because of the law that says they must provide an option to make the breasts symmetrical, if the patient requests it.
Now, I’m curious whether the cancer center has the obligation to make the right a little smaller? Because the nipple is a little higher on the right, I think it might be possible to just remove a small amount along the surgical line under the breast. That could also take out the 2 inches of scar that continues to get irritated with any, even the lightest, bra. I don’t want surgery on the left to make it larger - I really wanted just a B or C after dealing with large breasts all my life.
Any thoughts on just keeping the breast size as is?
Or, do I just go and get a bra insert for the left side and move on?

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1 reply
celestebradham | @celestebradham | Jan 15 8:47am
In reply to @triciaot "Could I ask you about the results of your reduction? I had a right lumpectomy, then..." + (show)
@triciaot

Could I ask you about the results of your reduction? I had a right lumpectomy, then both breasts were reduced from DD to about a C- on the left and D- on the right. I think the plastic surgeon expected the radiation to shrink my right breast some - but it ended up swelling. He does not think it’s fluid retention, the MRI does not show any pockets. I’m 15 months post radiation. I’ll see the cancer center plastic surgeon in April.
The reduction of both breasts were done because of the law that says they must provide an option to make the breasts symmetrical, if the patient requests it.
Now, I’m curious whether the cancer center has the obligation to make the right a little smaller? Because the nipple is a little higher on the right, I think it might be possible to just remove a small amount along the surgical line under the breast. That could also take out the 2 inches of scar that continues to get irritated with any, even the lightest, bra. I don’t want surgery on the left to make it larger - I really wanted just a B or C after dealing with large breasts all my life.
Any thoughts on just keeping the breast size as is?
Or, do I just go and get a bra insert for the left side and move on?

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I’m 60. April 2023 had lumpectomy on left breast and reconstruction on both. Took 3 lymph node on left no cancer. My plastic surgeon left my left breast a bit larger(I couldn’t tell) due to radiation causing some shrinkage. Had another surgery on left ( margins weren’t large enough)had 15 days radiation. Went on AI ( with horrible side effects- now on one that’s working with very little side effects)Took over 30 days to heal from radiation , ended up with lymphedema (caught early )and an infection. After about a month of therapy, lymphedema under control, I continue to stretch and exercise.

Plastic surgeon did offer fat graphing if I wanted or needed. To make them look the same .Mine look the same or pretty close size. Currently I’m finally feeling well. And not doing anything else.
Bras— I had one fitted. Prairie Wear. Very comfortable for me. Insurance covers these or part.

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