Me again!

Hi there,

Have you proper mobility in the arm again? Could you need physio? How many nodes did they remove? Is it nerve pain from that? I'm asking because although I didn't have pain after my mastectomy and the sentinel nodes were removed, I woke from my clearance with a burning pain in my armpit. They gave two lots of painkillers which did nothing at all, were about to give me morphine (!) which I refused, and so they whipped me up to the main ward where I lay feeling very sorry for myself to the edge of tears. The doctor who assisted my surgeon came up and suggested that the top dressing (of two) was removed and the pain instantly stopped! The bandage must  have been pulling a nerve moved during surgery .I'm 17 days post-surgery and feel fine still most of the time unless I try to stretch my arm further, or don't rest it much. Then my armpit swells and there's a burning, pulling pain.

Have you spoken to your breast nurse about it? She's probably seen it all before so could advise you better than your GP and ask your surgeon to take a look at it.

Hope it gets better soon!

Hello londonmumof2,

I also had that problem when I woke up after surgery, it wasn’t until the nurses visit that she redressed my armpit and I could move my arm properly.

i have full mobility in my arm, it’s just this continual pain/soreness, it seems pain killers cannot do anything as it is nerve endings, plus if I wear a bra it’s rubbing on the scar for the lymph nodes removal (2/3) were removed for testing. The exercises make it sore to, but no swelling. My oncologist said this was uncommon and prescribed Pregabalin.  We went away for a few days that’s when I started the Pregabalin (which did get rid of the pain, but I couldn’t cope with the drowsiness, ) at the  moment we have no signal so I can’t ring nurses. I would really like to know if anyone has had problem too. Will make a doctors appointment for when we return home.

Hi , I had a lumpectomy back in March. I didn't have any lymph nodes removed but approx half of my breast tissue, which was taken from the outer side of my left breast (basically everything to the left of my nipple has been removed). I had a great deal of soreness up into my underarm for many weeks. It was initially painful all the time and eventually eased until it was just very sore to the touch. I saw a physio and massage therapist who told me having surgery to the outer edge of the breast and upwards interferes with the muscles of the upper body. Sometimes it is necessary for bits of muscle to be pulled aside, cut or removed to access the breast and lymph nodes. I'm wondering if your soreness might be to do with muscle damage? 

Whatever the problem, I do hope you can resolve it soon. Being in constant pain is exhausting.

Take care, Naid xx

Hi

I had all the L nodes removed 13 years ago and lumpectomy. A couple of weeks after the pain was horrific. It was like my arm was being torn apart underneath. I also walked round with my hand in my back pocket or looped over my head. Down it felt like I had a ball of socks under my arm. 

BC nurse ( they did routine home visits then) said it was the nerves knitting and rang GO for a specific prescription that worked.

The hand over my head got to be a bit of a habit. It was also a give away I was struggling with lymphedema or was tired.

I suggest you ask BC nurse if there is a drug she can recommend.

My surgery tomorrow. Lumpectomy again but only one node to be removed initially.

Dear ,

I wanted to wish you all the very best with your operation tomorrow.  

We will be thinking of you and waiting to hear how you have got on.  

Remember, to be kind on yourself, the first few days after you will still be recovering from the anaesthetic too - I didn't realise this.

Sending love and gently hugs xx 

Hi Naid , I hadn’t thought of muscle damage, I have a few sore spots under the scaring, also the surgeon ripped the skin during the second operation so that could be an explanation for the pain there.

i might see if I could have some physio after the radiotherapy if it continues.

Thank you for your advice.

Hi Silverberg, I seem to spend most of my time waving my arm in the air to get a comfortable position, especially in bed! We have grabbed a few days away before the radiotherapy and there is no signal here, so I will ring nurses when we get back.

Good luck with your surgery.