Had single mas in February and left breast bones/ribs still very numb after all this time. Had drains and pain pump for 3 days which was brill. When able put loads of E45 or similar cream on to help dissapate scarring. I wish you well xxx
You’ll get lots of different answers to this. Yes to an extent it wears off but for me, I still have large numb areas 5 months on, not sure it’ll ever come back fully but if is reduced from those first few weeks x
I had a double mastectomy with right node clearance in April and I’m still numb under each arm and down the sides too, it doesn’t feel as strange now but I had my tattoos this week in preparation for my radiotherapy and I didn’t feel either of the side one’s being done.
I’ve been told it may or may nor return to normal, it’s caused by nerve damage, I have found that I’ve got used to the odd feeling now though.
thanks for the reply , the drains are my main issue at the minute can’t start any exercises I’ve been told till they come out , my armpit is very numb I have had total node clearance in right side and sentinel node to left , will get results in 2 weeks and treatment plan , I was suprised how much I can move my arms after being told I wouldn’t have much movement , was it the same for yourself ?
I had the same operation as you. Bilateral mastectomy with full node clearance on left side and sentinel node on right. The anaesthetist told me before that he felt I would need a nerve block. I was told to do the exercises as soon as the drains were out which was after 9 days. I had quite good movement but took another 3 weeks to get full stretch above head. The sensation across the mastectomy site took a while, maybe 2-3 weeks to come back but under the armpits I still feel numb in places and that's 7 months on. One if the things I'm surprised about is the tightness across the scar site. Unfortunately after the sentinel node was removed it was also positive so I'm back in on Wednesday to have full node clearance on right side.
At least I suppose you will be totally clear on the lymph nodes then , but a pain nevertheless, have you not been given any other treatment ? I think I’m dreading going for these results more than anything else I’ve had done .
Hi yes I've had FECT chemo which started early January. Before my mastectomy based on biopsy results my surgeon had already indicated that chemo was likely but was confirmed after op. Once you have a treatment plan you will feel better. If you need chemo my advice is take as much preventative steps as you can such as taking anti sickness tabs and having heartburn and constipation meds on hand. Use the mouthwash they give you even if it feels like it's not doing anything as they prevent mouth ulcers.
