Pain in armpits !

Hello    your post caught my eye as am experiencing the same as you at the present moment.  It's a wee bit worrying isn't it and  hope you get some help from the professionals very soon.   Like you mine was a lumpectomy and that nagging pain has been there really since surgery, some days nothing then it returns.   Am wondering if its the nerves jingling away where you had the op, I don't know the correct medical word?   Do you have any rib pain?     Can you get a mammogram done for peace of mind?  I know everywhere is so busy doing catch up but no harm in asking.    ~      Maria  x

I’ve been watching this post to see if anyone had any wisdom but unfortunately:( Anyway I’m nearly 4 weeks post op lymph node biopsy and I’ve  been getting armpit pain. Mostly it feels like burning, sometimes a stabbing pain deep in the armpit, then electric shock sensations, aches and weird feelings, a bit like you describe. I’m told it’s nerve damage, although it could be mild lymphodema pressing on nerves. They’ve said it may get better or it might not. For other reasons I have nerve damage in my feet and I can see how the pain and discomfort is similar. Maybe talk to your GP about it and see if there’s anything they can do?

Hi I am 5 years post op which is the worrying bit  as should have sorted out by now not sure whether to speak to doctor  or Macmillan nurse this is first year in 10  years not due  a mammagram !! 

I had bi lateral lumpectomy 5 weeks ago with sentinel node biopsy and also lymph node removal .

Problem is I got an infection in my left armpit , 3 weeks of Ab and had to have a fluid removal from left side. 

Going back to my surgeon on Tuesday as pain in my underarm is still intense . It’s a burning sensation like you Anabrock .

Currently taking paracetamol ( only touches  sides for pain quite honestly and between 2 to 4 co drymadol daily .

 The recovery from the lymph node removal is tougher than the lumpectomy ( my experience anyway )

Peace

Penelope 

I know from my other health issues that nerve based pain isn’t really helped by any pain killers. There are meds that do help like gabapentin, but they have some pretty bad side effects and are really only used fir hardcore, long term nerve pain. 

What can we do about nerve pain then ? 
many ideas ?

x

I have chronic neuropathic pain in one foot, as a result of injuries that didn’t heal right. It’s called Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome- if you google that be aware I have it as mild as it gets. Standard treatment is amitriptyline, an old fashioned antidepressant which calms down nerves, gabapentin or pregabalin (older anti seizure drugs which also calm down nerves), SSRI antidepressants if the amitriptyline isn’t tolerated (as in my case), clever kinds of occupational therapy like mirror therapy, which aims to reprogram the brains responses and I also use a fancy TENS machine, which distracts my nerves with random electrical signals. For severe cases they also use Botox or surgery to block errant nerve signals. I’ve been through all of this and the gabapentin made me put on 5 stone. So I am only on the SSRI now and TENS and just learned to train my brain to ignore it. I figure my arm pit pain will be similar- I’ll gradually learn to ignore it most of the time. Sorry if this isn’t very positive!

Thank you for your comprehensive reply . Interesting . I will go to my consultant with an open mind . It maybe just a case of more fluid collection and therefore a drain needed . We will see .

If the symptoms persist I am a big one for mindfulness and can look at a Tens .

Was anti depressants for 7 years during severe menopause stage . Came off them over 2 years ago and not keen to restart ( although I was fine on them) again .

Have a lovely Sunday 

xxxx

Ive had amitriptyline for migraine successfully and used TENS for back pain. 

I was reading back through posts and found your replies. I hope someone can help ?

I have been put on Amitriptyline for my nerve pain and to get me ready for RT. Been in these for 5 days now and whist my nerves are certainly calming down I have noticed a burning sensation in my uriinary tract . 
Any thoughts on that . It’s pretty painful ?

Penelope xx