I don’t think that’s unusual - it is quite an operation and perhaps you had chemo and radiotherapy too? I had my operation nearly two years ago and there are parts that still feel sore. If you are worried though please contact your team or your gp....even if it is just to reassure you.
I had lumpectomy - healing straight forward and very little to no pain. However, as time goes on I have had various types of pain. One I remember was after around 12 months and this was pain on my side by ribs. At a check-up I mentioned this, it was suggested it could be my bra causing this, as it was on my bra line. Currently nearly 3 years on and I am having pain/ache again at the side, by where my arm rests - my current check up is on hold, and I have drove myself silly with all the 'what if's' - I have put some weight on - so I'm thinking maybe it is this.
I do also think our minds play a big part in all this, knowing it is coming up to your anniversary etc the mind will be working on overdrive on any pain and making you think all kinds of things.
Remember to; you have a lot of healing going on inside, maybe even nerves etc are starting to repair etc. I even had electric shock type of twinges etc - they all set your mind off.
I agree with Galligirl, it is worth you having a word with your BC Nurse and see what their thoughts are.
xx
I'm hoping this makes sense - only my mind says one thing and my fingers type whatever they like x
FormerMember
Unfortunately, ongoing pain at the surgery site is a thing.
I'm also still getting random pains on the mastectomy side, two years after surgery. I still can't sleep on that side. The scar tissue sometimes aches, and if I skip my exercises that arm and shoulder stiffen up very quickly.
I sometimes get stabbing pains that make me gasp, which my nurse/oncologist/surgeon say are caused by nerve regrowth. I'm afraid this is just one more thing we gave to put up with.
Please can you tell me how often you're still doing your arm exercises - presumably these are the same at the ones I've been given (from breastcancernow with winging it and ones that look like you should be being frisked by the police)? I think (based on absolutely nowt other than my having good range of movement) that 3 a day (which I had been doing till end rads) ongoing is a tad excessive so have cut down to just one a day, not feeling any adverse impacts but still curious to know others experience.
My BCN tells me to carry on with the 3 a day as risk of lymphedema high as had ANC but am a crazy risk taker (you should see the sell by dates in my fridge!).
I will be 2 years since Mastectomy at the end of July, I then had Radiotherapy. I have had pain in my mastectomy site for some time, including between the ribs, it is quite a deep pain that is hard to describe other than that, when it starts it's relentless for days and then eases up. My Surgeon was quite adamant it was nerve pain and advised I use Ibuprofen Gel on the area, which I did, although it had some effect I was still worried. As I was due a CT to look at my right lung as it had a nodule they are monitoring, I asked if this could be brought forward to check the mastectomy area, which was clear on CT, he then prescribed Lidocaine Patches, these are no better than Ibuprofen Gel.
He does feel it is due to a combination of Surgery and RT.
