Post Mastectomy Pain Syndrome: How are you coping?

Thanks for your post. In the stress of the moment - diagnosing and treating the cancer I think the long lasting physical effects of the surgery are sometimes overlooked. For the first year I had the same sensations to my chest I would have had if my breasts were still there. I continue to have some tightness in my chest area but because I developed lymphedema (which the surgeons said I couldn't have because I only had the sentinel node removed on both sides) I got both massage and physical therapy. Turns out I did have lymphedema which was confirmed by my oncologist during a regular check up and a second surgery helped immensely. The physical therapy and massage therapy were not recommended or supported by my doctors. It was something I took on for myself and I recommend everyone look into follow up care in these areas.

I've had treatment for this since 2012. Various treatments don't work. I am hoping to get into a research study at Emory University soon. The pain is unbearable. Experiencing a flare up now.