Continuing breast soreness- what's normal

Hi , i can only tell you what a friend of mine experianced. She had the same treatment as you. She had the same symptoms and she said she could never find out why. She had mamagrams and another ultra sound but they showed up nothing and came back normal like yours. One breast care nurse said we are all different and we heal differently but thats all they said. She would sometimes just move a little different and she would go ouch but like she said no need for painkillers. She came to the conclusion it was scar tissue that had healed and was just a bit tight. If you are at all concerned i would make another appointment with your consultant who did the surgery and ask to be seen, if our body is not feeling like we think it should go get answers and dont be put off. It must be bothering you or you would not have come on here so maybe its time to find out why. I wish you all the best in your treatment xx

Hi Ange63

i had a mastectomy in June last year with radiotherapy in August. Like you I thought a few months and I’d be pretty normal again - definitely not the case. I have a LOT of tightness, pain and limited use of my right arm. I have arranged an appointment with the consultant 1/2 to discuss. I’m scared this is me now forever. I had 5 nodes removed - 3 sentinel and 2 auxiliary according to the pathology report. He told me beforehand he’d take 3 sentinel so not sure why he took so many. All were clear. It’s so frustrating.

Hi Ange23

i had a lumpectomy 11 weeks ago and have a large hard lump in my breast which is a bit sore sometimes but not painful. It doesn’t seem to be getting smaller so I phoned my breast care nurse who said it’s very common and is almost certainly scar tissue. She said it can take months to go.

She has referred me for scar tissue physio but also suggested I did some massage towards the arm pit. You would need to check with your medical team to see what’s appropriate for you. 
I am reassured that it’s not a real problem for me but you just don’t expect this to happen. 
Good luck getting some more advice x

Thanks Wino, its always reassuring to know that you're not unique  and what I am experiencing is within 'normal parameters' Scar tissue does sound like its at the route of the problem

Hi Beth, sorry to hear you're having pain and tightness too and the impact on your arm . I was only expecting to have 1 node removed so was quite surprised that they took so many, I just assumed they were being thorough , I've ended up with some lymphoedema in my arm. I do have some tightness in my arm especially when reaching above my head, which I notice more when I don't keep up with the arm exercise. Perhaps we both need to pursue scar tissue physio like Kaza.  

Hi Kaza, 11 weeks is still very recent for you, you must still be coming to terms with it all. They didn't mention scar tissue therapy to me, so thanks for the info. I'll follow it up and see if it would be appropriate for me too. Good luck with your recovery 

Thanks Ange63

I’m hoping the consultant will give me a proper diagnosis ie is it scar tissue, is it lymphedema, is it a seroma, or is it just normal recovery swelling? Scar tissue physio sounds good but I’m not sure if you’d need a specialist physiotherapy to do this. Anything is worth a try. Sometimes it just feels like  I’m the only one with this problem so good to share recovery journeys. It gives me hope. I’m going to try gentle yoga exercises too. Found some on YouTube tonight which look doable. Xx

That's what I like about the community, we are all unfortunately on well warn path and there is always someone who can say- yes that happened/is happening to me. I find it very reassuring that I'm not unique and that what I am feeling or experiencing is normal or perhaps needs looking at. Good luck with the yoga I hope it helps