loss of feeling in my arm

Hi, I hope you are recovering well after your op.  I had mastectomy and axillary clearance Oct 2022 and I still have numbmess and altered sensation right up to me elbow.  I am not sure if it will ever come back but I have got used to it x

Hi, I had 7 lymph nodes removed in April & still have numbness in my armpit & down the back of my arm to my elbow. I am getting a bit fed up with it tbh but understand it could take a good while longer to improve.

Hope you start to feel improvement soon, best wishes x

Hi Ange63, I had similar op nearly 4 years ago. Like others have said, upper arm numbness seems quite common. I agree it’s a weird feeling, mine was numb for a good while, then felt like I’d had a carpet burn. I can’t remember exactly how long but definitely weeks rather than days. My arm mobility was also rubbish - I remember that struggled with clothes and had to put on shirts, cardigans and coats with my ‘bad’ arm in first, which for me was the wrong way round and felt very awkward and alien. There was a lot of inner cursing! It gradually resolved, all the post op exercises definitely helped. I can’t remember when I could undo my bra at the back again but it felt like a big achievement! 
Re blue dye, mine lasted for months! Gradually faded but took a long time to disappear completely. Blue wee and poo were also interesting but thankfully short lived! 
Wishing you well and sending love as well as a gentle virtual hug, HFxx 

Thanks Mel28, something reassuring about a well worn path even if you didn't really want to go down it

Sorry to hear you've been affected too-early days for me lets hope it does improve over time 

Thanks for the replies ladies. I had been struggling to explain the sensation as it is numb but uncomfortable at the same time which sounds counter intuitive but carpet burn feeling is spot on.   Also the giant blue spot is by far the least of my worries but it really bothers me so I'm glad to hear it will eventually go. Yesterday was the first day that I took all my plasters and coverings off and really had a good look at what had been done and it all caught up with me a little. I know things will only improve but at the moment my left boob looks like my 2 year old niece has had been using her crayon collection on me 

Totally agree that it is a shock when you first see your boob. I didn’t have a dressing as they used glue on my wound which freaked me out at first, as I had a peek soon after going back onto the ward.  I am four weeks on from my op and the scar is looking good. No bruising or dye left, just feels a bit lumpy where the tumour was removed. It is all a learning curve and we all experience slightly different things but it is so good to have this forum to share things. Hope your arm improves soon.

Evajean x

Mine is exactly the same as the bruising has developed.  The blue dye is starting to fade a bit, but I also have the carpet burn feeling.  Using the underarm cushion has helped x 

It must depend on how long or deep the incision was I suppose, as my arm is fine.I only have one scar as they were able to remove tumour and lymph node in a small section so think I was fortunate. Fingers crossed that the discomfort disappears sooner rather than later. I feel those of us at the early stages of our treatment are wondering what’s next on our journey. For me it will be radiotherapy and hopefully will find out when this will start at my appointment on Monday.

Evajean x