Was wondering if anyone out there who had lymph nodes removed from under their arm had any minor pain after surgery, actually long after surgery. My surgery was May of 2008. The pain is not severe, just uncomfortable. Now, I have started back at the gym - maybe that's all it is. But I was just wondering if anyone else out there has or is experienceing the same thing? Please help!
(Where did you get that name?) Yes, I've had pain where my lymph nodes were removed. (See my Profile page and blogs for a bit more information on me.) The pain isn't constant but I can't seem to link it to exercise in particular. I'm a year post surgery and it is getting a bit easier but has not gone completely. It sometimes aches and other times it is more like a stabbing pain. When I have mentioned it to the doctors they all seem to shrug and say, "It's normal." Grrrr!!! The top of my arm is also slightly numb - I could if I wanted pull the hairs from under my arms without feeling a thing! (Not to be recommended!)
I guess from your profile you don't live in the UK? It's bad enough having cancer without the added worry of having to pay for treatment.
Ive had surgery on both sides and I can relate to what you are experiencing. As you say it isnt painful but just uncomfortable. I have found that my arms start to ache very quickly and certain activities are very uncomfortable. I also have cording still in one arm and on a morning I have to stretch my arm to relieve the stiffness.
I also go to the gym and use light weights to try and strengthen my arms and have gone back to yoga.
Ive had surgery on both sides and I can relate to what you are experiencing. As you say it isnt painful but just uncomfortable. I have found that my arms start to ache very quickly and certain activities are very uncomfortable. I also have cording still in one arm and on a morning I have to stretch my arm to relieve the stiffness.
I also go to the gym and use light weights to try and strengthen my arms and have gone back to yoga.
I had horrendous pain for a long while after my lymph node removal which was in May 2007 - I likened it to having barbed wire pulled up through my arm. My arm is still numb from just below the shoulder down to the elbow and numbness around the back as well. Annoyingly it gets itchy but I can't scratch it as there's no feeling there. When I mentioned it to the surgeon I was told that it's nerve damage and I was unlucky. I also could pull out hairs from my armpit , could probably go one further and stick pins in the area without any feeling, but don't worry I don't. Sometimes my arm feels dead and heavy and also very weak - I can't lift anything heavy on that side. I have managed to get back to horseriding without too much trouble though it's been tough. I cannot recommend enough doing the arm exercises they give you at the hospitalhowever painful. I have noticed that if I do overuse my arm - for example last week moving fencing in my horse's field I suffer with sharp pain in the armpit later - always forget about that and do the heavy work anyway. I do go swimming on the recommendation of my oncologist - she said it helps to drain the lymph and that really helps. Well, that's enough of me moaning - I got it off my chest anyway. To be honest it doesn't bother me all the time, I think you just get used to things, but when I read your post it made me think how much we all suffer in our dfferent ways. It's bad enough having the cancer in the first place and all the awful treatment without all the nasty after effects which you didn't know where going to happen. I balance it with thinking that if it means that all the nasties have been taken out then it has to be worth it. Take care and keep well x
hi this is my first time on what now. i was diagnosed just before christmas and have just had a mastectomy, i have just read the question from CRASH about the pain in her arm, ( i was hoping this would come to an end in the next week or so!!!!) but the reason for me contacting you is what is cording? I've not heard of this yet
