Pain and swelling two weeks after surgery

Hi, am so sorry you are going through this. I am recovering after a masectomy last week. I think Lymph node removal can cause more pain and swelling. Have you tried Arnica? My mid wife recommended it years ago and it always seems to work for me. Check with your BC team first of course. Not sleeping is the worst. I take pain killers before bed. I hope you can get some relief. Sending hugs. Anna xx

Thanks so much for replying Anna. I feel so touched that you have gone to that trouble when you are going through your own trauma. I hope you are doing ok - it's hard work isn't it?! If my next excision isn't clear I will have to have a mastectomy too, so I will be back asking you more questions no doubt. I shall ask my BC nurse about arnica - I never thought of that. Thank you again, and keep me posted about your own progress - I wish you strength and peace, Helen xx

Hi Tilted and welcome to the forum so glad that you have felt able to reach out here.

Sounds like they haven't got clear margins which believe it it or not is fairly common and just means that they are being thorough by going back in again. Not the best for you though with pain already. We often get a lot of bruising as the breast tissue is delicate as are the surrounding areas and not used with being opened up as they are with surgery and I'm not sure how they get all the tumour and lymph node out but I can imagine it may not be very easy for them.

Pain and swelling is perfectly ok at this point  as you say no signs of any infection but keep an eye on that for any signs of heat or redness in the breast as that  is usually the first signs of infection. The other  thing that can happen is that  a collection of blood can collect and manifest in a lump or swelling and again this does happen sometimes but not always and does need attention as it is known as a seroma and on occasion does need to be drained but not always.

Have you been wearing your bra in bed and night and day I was advised to do this for 6 weeks and it is to help with the swelling and support the breast whilst healing. A soft bra and no underwires.

You are not being naive in the least they dont always tell you what they should when you go home and what to look out for and that's where this forum is superb because lots of different experiences and people who know exactly how you will be feeling as well.

Sending some huge big gentle hugs your way meantime and please do let us know how you get on with the further surgery. xxxx

Hi

Please don't be concerned about pain and swelling at this stage.  I'm wanting to reassure you, but I'm not sure if you're going to want to hear this!  I had my lymph node biopsy and lumpectomy in July 2017.  When I was 'signed off' by my breast care nurse in February 2018, I mentioned that it was still hurting when I lifted heavier items/ sometimes when I laid on it and her reply was "it's still early days".

It wasn't until Christmas/New Year 2018 - 2019, that I felt I could quite happily lift items without any pain!

My partner has just got a puppy, who likes to run up my chest when I'm sat down - looking for food (of course) and if I've got my hands full, she'll sometimes stand on my breast and it's in a different area from my operation site, but it can be really painful.

I was very surprised that the breast isn't like a broken bone  (6 weeks and you've forgotten all about it), but that it takes an awful lot of time for it to get anywhere near back to normal.  (I had my 3rd clear annual in June this year, so I know the pain is nothing sinister to worry about).

Sorry to hear that they didn't get clear margins for you - very disappointing and upsetting that you're going to have to go through it all again, but try not to worry about the pain being anything other than normal - it's taken a heck of a battering with the operation and it will take time to heal.

However, don't ever feel that you shouldn't ask your BC nurse as they will be happy to reassure you/offer you advice - I know they'd rather you ask them questions than have you worrying and stressing.

Kindest wishes, Lesley
ps. I see Gail's also just replied whilst I was typing, but I'll add my post anyway

Oh my goodness, thank you so much Gail and Lesley. That is such a weight off my mind - I found myself filling up with tears just knowing that there are people who totally get how this is and who want to help. Just knowing that this is not out of the ordinary is so so helpful. My only other experience of surgery has been C sections, which I seemed to bounce back from with ease (though I was a lot younger then admittedly!). I can move forward each day knowing that this is a path many of you have already walked and survived. I have been trying to wear a bra 24/7, but have to confess I am rather big busted and strange shape - 32GG! - so it has been really difficult to find a bra that is comfortable as well as supportive. The unwired ones I got dig in  a bit under the arm so some nights I give up and just wear a soft pull on cotton sleep bra just to have something gentle next to my skin. I think after reading what you wrote Gail, I will persist in wearing my day bra at night as well, and just take plenty of pain relief!

I hope this thread might help other ladies who are struggling too. I'm so glad I signed up to this now

Thank you again -you are all beautiful lovely people to be making the time and effort to do this. Love and hugs, Helen xxx

Hi Tilted, sorry to hear you have to have further surgery! I am 10 days post lumpectomy and lymph node biopsy and I am also still very sore and swollen. I dread them saying they need to do any re- excisions as I can’t bear the thought of anymore trauma- my poor boobs!

Sleeping too is a massive issue, I long for the day when I have a restful pain free night!!

Were your lymph nodes clear? My worst pain has been in my armpit so that’s the bit I’m most nervous about! 

sending you lots of love, really hoping your pain eases up soon xx

Hi Sf79! Sorry that you too are suffering like this - we'll get through it together, and with the support of this wonderful online group. I am very fortunate that my lymph nodes were clear - it was a great relief. Unfortunately I am HER2 positive as well as Oestrogen receptor positive, so I have been told I will definitely have to have chemotherapy and hormone therapy as well as radiotherapy. No idea when that will all start - got to get through this surgery first.

Are you keeping on top of your pain killers? I have found that if I ease off them at all, the pain builds up very quickly. I hate popping pills all the time, but these are exceptional times. Also, although doing the exercises is difficult, try to do them as much as you are able - I feel that they help to loosen up my shoulder movement which reduces the stiffness and soreness a little in that area. I have also started taking Nytol at bedtime to help me to relax.

When will you get your results - should be soon I hope? My thoughts and love are with you. Keep us posted.

Helen xx

I get my results tomorrow

I was really good with my meds for the first week, I’ve since cut back a bit but then I’m in lots of pain. I’m down to my last codine - gonna request more tomorrow as they are the only way i can get at all comfortable at night! 
the exercises are helping momentarily but then the stiffness and aching comes back!  It’s so frustrating. I just want to feel well. I had the most horrendous nerve pain deep in my arm out which today I finally feel is easing, thankfully! 
I also feel very ‘full ‘ under my armpit which is so uncomfortable and a hard area below my scar! I’m kinda dreading it all being checked tomorrow as it’s so sore I don’t want anyone touching it!  

I'm also 2 weeks post surgery, lumpectomy, lymph nodes & licap reconstruction.   I've been wearing a soft, zip front bra night and day.  Not much pain but still sore, swollen in places and lots of bruising.  I've a particularly hard, swollen spot over where my lymph nodes were removed that I'm a bit concerned over. Not enough pain to need pain relief but then most of that area is numb anyway.

I can't wait to be able to sleep properly on my side again,  back sleeping is uncomfortable and I'd love to be able to just curl up and sleep.  

I can totally relate to your anxiety about anyone touching you - I too have hard, tender places under the arm and on the breast that I have to steal myself to wash ever so carefully. I found the codeine made me really constipated which just adds insult to injury! I have been taking co-codamol instead which isn't quite as effective but doesn't make me feel sickly like the codeine did. Do keep on top of it if you can - do you take ibuprofen as well? I just stagger the cocodamol and ibuprofen so I'm taking them both every four hours. Definitely ask for some more pain relief when you go tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you - let us know how you get on.

Love and virtual hugs, Helen xx