Pain after Mastectomy

Hi shirleymac

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear that you had to have a mastectomy. While I don’t have fibromyalgia I noticed that you didn’t have any replies yet so I thought I’d reply to you. Hopefully someone with,the experience you are looking for will be along shortly.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Hi, I had a second mastectomy (healthy tissue) at the beginning of January. I have only felt really better since last week, so it was 6 weeks. The first two weeks were not great at all. A lot pain, swapping, bruising  and discomfort. Before, and with the first mastectomy, I’d had 5 months of chemo pre- surgery,, so I was a bit surprised at first this time. However, I am taking Anastrazole, which makes me feel 106 years old. Maybe that had something to do with it. I didn’t have an axillary clearance this time, so the exercises were definitely easier, and movement came back quicker. Swelling  in the axillary area didn’t last so long this time, but it was there for the first four weeks or so. It also still occasionally feels like a band is being pulled around my bra line. However, this is still major surgery, let’s not forget that, so maybe it was all as to be expected. Hope you feel better soon. 

Typo - “..A lot of pain, swelling, bruising …”     Sorry about that

Thanks for reply.  Very similar story.  Second mastectomy after 1st one with auxiliary clearance for BC and after 6 rounds of chemo.  Reassures me a bit that pain is normal.  Early days yet but as you will  know it was all a blur with first one after chemo. I think it is possible nerve endings and bruising.  Hopefully it will settle soon.   I am also on Anastrazole- 9 years in with one year to go.  It is a delight isn't it?  With that and fibromyalgia life can definitely be challenging. Thrown into the mix too is lymphodema in my arm from originally op.   Hey but I am  survivor and still here. Onwards and upwards.

Thank you