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Suggest Treatment For Severe Nerve Pain In The Chest

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Posted on Tue, 9 May 2017
Question: I had a double mastectomy March 2nd and have severe nerve pain in chest and sides when I sit, bend or lie down. My chest burns and it feels like I have a cinder block hanging from each chest wall muscle and each side under arms. My underarms go numb and feel rock hardm And I get hard cuffs around underarms. I also get a severe tight band around stomach and sides right below my breast bone. It's chronic but will go away if I ice below the breast bone and stop sitting/bending/laying. Getting tired of standing. I'm a programmer and am still not able to work. Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (58 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Nerve irritation likely.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The symptoms that you are having are likely to be due to a nerve irritation after the surgery. This can decrease with methylcobalamin supplements and medicines like pregabalin and gabapentin. You can get these medicines prescribed by a neurologist. Regular physiotherapy will also help in maintaining the tone of the muscles. Nerve conduction study can help in pinpointing the affected nerve.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (12 hours later)
Drugs do not agree with me. And I'm allergic to anti-inflammatories. If I let the area rest and keep icing do you think that will help the nerves recover? I just extended my leave for 2 weeks as I tried to work yesterday after 7 weeks recovery and pain got so severe it took over 20 hours for it to subside enough to function. My physical therapist is at a loss. Will this pain ever go away?
Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
B12 supplements will help.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The pain will gradually decrease but you can start with Vitamin B 12 supplements to help them recover fast. Rest and icing will also help.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :1994

Answered : 12314 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Nerve Pain In The Chest

Brief Answer: Nerve irritation likely. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for posting your query. The symptoms that you are having are likely to be due to a nerve irritation after the surgery. This can decrease with methylcobalamin supplements and medicines like pregabalin and gabapentin. You can get these medicines prescribed by a neurologist. Regular physiotherapy will also help in maintaining the tone of the muscles. Nerve conduction study can help in pinpointing the affected nerve. I hope this answers your query. In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out. Wishing you good health. Regards. Dr. Praveen Tayal. For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal