Underwear

[Golfgirl3]

Heart attack and stent fitted 2 days ago. First symptom was tightness in the chest - I thought my bra was too tight. Earlier today I had a major panic attack - it seems I’m frightened of my underwear. I know it’s a ‘Pavlov’s Dog’ thing but anyone else experienced this? Any benefit changing from wired to unwired?

[bantam12]

Ditch the wires is my advice, have a look at Sloggi, I especially like the bralettes with no fastenings, and M&S cami with inbuilt bra is very comfortable.

[Golfgirl3 in reply to bantam12]

Great, thanks. I’ll have a look on line.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hi Golfgirl3

Welcome to the forum

The bra feeling too tight is a symptom that I experience when my angina becomes unstable and I need to go into hospital.

It's one of those symptoms exclusive to women that is overlooked by Cardiologists its definitely not in the text book!

It's a horrible feeling and at the moment I expect reminds you of your recent life changing experience.

I wear a soft sports bra instead especially when I am in hospital which I find more comfortable

[Golfgirl3 in reply to Milkfairy]

Thanks. I think I need an online browsing session

[Golfgirl3]

Thanks. Good to know.

[Calliope153]

I woke up after emergency valve and Dacron ascending aorta replacement wearing the BHIS bra last week, My husband ordered me three more the next day and they arrived three days later. The Bristol Heart Instititute give you one and dress you in it before you come around from surgery.

All details of how to order and wear attached

. bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

The technician told me they had really good post operative reduction in infection rates after they started using the bra.

[clarehealsworldwide in reply to Calliope153]

That bra looks ideal, wish I'd had something similar after my mastectomy 30 years ago in Hong Kong. When I asked my oncologist about prostheses and when I could start wearing a bra again, he said "do what the Chinese ladies do.... Stick some old tights in your bra & fasten it loosest". In a market i found very soft front fastening bras & never wore wired bras since then.

[080311 in reply to Calliope153]

Wow these look really good wish I had seen these after my op the front fastening ones my daughter-in - law brought to the hospital were great but they didn’t half make me stand up straight the backs are really deep and made me straighten my shoulders! I suppose not a bad thing, when I started walking son was always telling me to lift my head up! How the tables had changed.

[benjijen]

As we're in lockdown I would just not bother with one until you have a bit less anxiety. Then, when shops are open, go and be measured properly so you can be sure you should be comfortable. I must admit that, at the moment, I don't bother when I'm indoors!

[Golfgirl3 in reply to benjijen]

Thanks. I've taken your advice, started the day in my bra but whipped it off as soon as I started to feel a bit peculiar!

[Hidden in reply to Golfgirl3]

I do agree with taking a bra off it’s uncomfy, however I was told after surgery, it was really important to wear a bra. Any tissues that have been cut or stitched need to be protected from pull & movement. I was even told to sleep in something lightly supportive if possible. But maybe it depends on what specific surgery you had (mine was thoractomy I.e. sternum cut). I’d defo recommend M&S, from bralets, to post surgery, and even the padded wired sports bras for once you’re more active. I couldn’t wear underwired for quite a while, a mix of physical & psychological aversion! I started with an hour a day till I got more used to it.

[Fulllife]

Agree with thatwasunexpected. Always wear underwired as need the support -only place I'm big lol - but terible anxiety in early days and hypervigilant about any sensation in chest. 8 weeks on and much more relaxed - having largely coming to terms with the fact I have stents in.

[Golfgirl3 in reply to Fulllife]

Yes. The rational bit of me knows there's nothing to be gained by worrying and it's good to hear that most people feel this way at the beginning but it passes.

[Jack2019]

I totally had the bra thing you are talking about. I mentioned it to my doctor, he was dismissive and said he never heard that one before. The good news is it went away, however it lasted about a year. I do remember how concerning it was, and thinking the meds. were causing it. I had a lot of gas once I started on the meds.

[Golfgirl3 in reply to Jack2019]

It's good to know others have experienced the same thing

[OllieW]

I don't recommend in any way wired underwear. Not only because so uncomfortable but it's bad for your chest and stomach. For over two years I wear only shapewear from wowshapers.com/ and I don't think I could ever exchange it. When I was wearing ordinary wired bras I was struggling with chest pain and I always had pain sensations in my stomach after meals. Now, that I wear only seamless and wireless bras I don't have to deal with that and believe me, it's such a relief. You'll see the benefits very quickly, so give it a try.