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Against Breast Cancer

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Re: Post Mastectomy Pain

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Posted by Betsy Mullen on 3/3/2000 from 152.163.194.177:
In reply to: Post Mastectomy Pain posted by Rose Berg on 3/2/2000 from 209.20.7.84:
Dear Rose:

Here is the feedback from a top surgeon who has a great deal of expertise in this area:

"Injection with local anesthetics if a small area of neuroma pain might help.

Definitely massage of the scar will help.

Rarely replace the scar with a flap."

I did not experience what you are going through after my own mastectomy and node dissection, but prior to my diagnosis of breast cancer, I was in a very serious car accident and was very badly injured, experiencing extensive nerve/nerve fiber damage in my upper body (neck, shoulders, back and hands). I was in physical therapy and a pain clinic for nearly three years. Have you discussed biofeedback, self-hypnosis and nerve blocks with your physicians? Visualization and relaxation techniques can also prove helpful.

There is a book entitled "The Chronic Pain Control Workbook" (I think published by Berkeley Press) that might be helpful.

I am very sorry that you are going through this. Please let us know if we can help you in any other way beyond this message. Our main office number at WIN Against Breast Cancer is (626) 332-2255.

Follow Ups:

Re: Post Mastectomy Pain - Rose Berg   3/4/2000 (2)
Re: Post Mastectomy Pain - Betsy Mullen   3/8/2000 (0)
Re: Post Mastectomy Pain - Betsy Mullen   3/5/2000 (0)