Pain after mastectomy

Hmmm. They tend to try to avoid draining for fear of infection, but sometimes it is needed. I had to stand firm on two occasions when I knew a seroma needed draining, and I am glad I got my way each time. Ask them to look with an ultrasound, this can confirm the need for drainage regardless of their reluctance. I too was told it was something else but it wasn't, it was a seroma that was asking to be drained.

Feeling almost back to normal six weeks after surgery (on the left side) is great!

Hello Valsy, I have had a lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy but it sounds as if the pain/discomfort you have may be from the axillary clearance rather than the mastectomy? I had a lumpectomy in May with sentinel lymph node biopsy and the pathology report subsequently identified that one out of the three nodes removed had cancer in. Following chemo I had further surgery last week which included a full axillary clearance of 30 lymph nodes, only one of which had cancer in. 

The pain/discomfort from the axillary clearance has been quite a bit worse than from the sentinel node biopsy and I've been advised that this may last for some time. The exercises I've been given to do are exactly the same as the ones for the sentinel node biopsy though, and I had a drain fitted during surgery to prevent a seroma. It's early days but so far touch wood no seroma following removal of the drain, although there is still a bit of swelling in the area. I did have a small seroma following the sentinel node biopsy and this was really uncomfortable and was keeping me awake at night so my breast nurse arranged for an ultrasound and the seroma was then aspirated. The relief was instant. It may be worth having a chat with your nurse to check whether there is still some fluid left which is causing the ongoing pain, and I hope they have been giving you appropriate pain relief too. I've not been given any advice about specific 'lympathic drainage exercises' - I thought these were only for those who had lymphodema - so am interested in what type of exercises have been recommended for you. Was this via your nurse or a physio?

Not sure that this is much help to you - and I haven't had any burning feeling yet - but hopefully others will be here soon to let you know about their experiences. 

 (Was just about to post when I saw Greycat's post. I'd agree with requesting an ultrasound to check for a seroma!)

Hi lalalou. Thanks for replying. Sometimes it’s a lonely place to be. I have been given some exercises from the physio and they’ve worked but now it feels too solid to drain. I’ve got to go for a blood test on Tuesday so will ask the bcn. I had the 3 sentinal nodes plus 1 more from 11 so deffo chemo. 

have added the drainage ones I was given. Hope all is well with you x