Shoulder pain post mastectomy

I am a few months since node clearance and get shoulder pain and pain around my collar bone/ribs when I’ve been trying to exercise that arm. I think the nerves are all damaged/knitted together weirdly. It’s still numb under my armpit and if I lift anything heavyish above head height then everything feels wrong so I think other muscles/nerves are over-compensating. 

Yes. I have. In January / February got pain in my shoulder blade, shoulder and ribs (felt like a bruise, but no bruise there) which really hurt when I turned at night or laid on that side. I had surgery in June 2021. Also numb under armpit (which I was warned about by radiotherapist and BCN). Like you, I got paranoid. GP saw me that afternoon, had a very thorough feel round and said that she couldn’t feel anything worrying, but it was expected for the treatment I had (Mastectomy, axillary clearance, radiotherapy). But I was still paranoid, as I felt a thickening on scar line, so  I got seen in breast clinic. Again, I was reassured, but because I had mentioned rib pain, they sent me for a CT scan of chest, abdomen etc. Came back clear, but turns out that I do have fibrosis in chest wall, and widespread nerve damage due to surgery and radiotherapy. Since March, the pain has eased a lot. 
hope this helps a bit, x

I’m suspecting I’ve got a similar story, especially as I had two ops on the right side before they got it all. Even if it’s a case of nothing they can do about it, I’d like to know what’s going on.

I have been fortunate and there is a physio unit attached to the cancer unit at Guy's.  She has been amazing.  I had a double mastectomy with reconstruction 61/2 weeks ago.  The exercises really help and push me in the right direction.  She also examines my breasts. I have an old tennis injury but we keep moving on.  So I sing the praises of my physio. Good luck

I had my op June 21 too. I’m still suffering after node clearance and mastectomy. I’ve had physio on my chest and armpit as the scar tissue was stuck to me making it feel tight. My armpit stings and itches but I can’t scratch it as it’s numb. Very frustrating. I to can’t sleep on my right side as it’s painful on my ribs just under armpit. Bit fed up really as now I think I have fluid in my back. Got an appointment next week x Also I had a ct scan because of rib pain. Came back ok but still don’t believe them. I think it’s just human nature we all worry the same. 

Hi Gwillis, I also got fed up, so understand. I forgot to mention that as well as fibrosis,I developed lymphodoema in chest wall, round the back, and in armpit. Exercises kept it out of my arm. It really got me down. Following referral to lymphodoema clinic,I was prescribed a comfiband. It’s a bit like a reinforced boob tube, but really soothing to wear. It is ribbed, and the special ribs massage the area as you move around. It worked! That’s when the tightness and rib pain improved hugely. I’m not cured, as I stopped wearing i5 for a week and could feel the heaviness and swelling coming back, but I popped it on again and within two days, it improved again. So see if you can get a referral too. It changed things for the better for me. X 

That’s very interesting. How did you know it was lymphoedema or did they pick it up? I have a fatty back and stomach but I’m sure it’s bigger more wobbly on my right side.  How do you wear the band? Over the chest? What about a bra? Can you still wear that. I’m assuming better in the back than the arm. How long after your node removal did you get it. Sorry for the questions but I have a breast clinic appointment next week. Glad to hear it’s helped you xx 

I guessed it, surgeon noticed it when I reported rib pain. GP felt fibrosis, which is in whole chest wall, but a lot on mastectomy line,  but was confirmed by the lymphodoema clinic. They take load of measurements. I wear the band like a boob tube, it has breast pockets, either for softie or natural breast. I sometimes wear Lymphodema bra (much more supportive  than mastectomy bra) it’s barbie pink!! I kept the L out of the arm by exercising. I was lucky. It started a week after 3 weeks radiotherapy. I was told that was the cherry on the cake for me, esp in the axillary area. 

had my mastectomy and clearance three years ago and no pain until last  September.  I'd a  nuclear bone scan and ct scan in October (clear) sae a nurse for mild lymphodema and she said I'd also extensive scarring and referred me back to the team in March. 

I saw a surgeon last month  who confirmed scarring and lymphodema,  but my shoulder is increasingly sore.  I've had another ultrasound on my breast,  armpit and surrounding area (clear). She said it could be a rotary cuff tear, but is following up the scan soon.  I  can't sleep on that side now and have to position my arm in bed,  and sudden moments in the wrong direction cause a sharp pain. 

I've self referred myself to physio which take months,  but I really just want  to know what's going on as well!

Is that comfipad like the mobiderm that you wear inside your bra?  That acts as if you are doing massage and can help with the fibrosis which can happen after surgery and radiation.