Axillary clearance numbness

Hi 

it’s good that you have joined the forum as I have found it a good support to share other people’s experiences. 
I had my tumour removed in my left breast last July and as one of my lymph nodes was cancerous I had to have the axillary clearance. 
I still have numbness and discomfort but this is normal . I have to do my stretching at least twice a day . I have done this since a couple of days after my surgery but please take advice off your breast care nurse to see when you can start to do them. I massage the area twice a day to train the fluids to find another route to disperse in my body . I have to be honest and say that this has been the trickiest part of my recovery but we are all different so you may recover much quicker than I have . I have followed all instructions and advice given by the professionals and also taken on board help from this forum. I have to be aware when I do physical tasks with the affected arm that I may need to rest it and stretch it . I did quite a bit of gardening yesterday and have considerable discomfort today but I am not worried about it . 
When I sit down or in bed I always support my under arm with a cushion as I find this helps to ease the discomfort. It’s strange having no feeling there still and even after all this time I do not like attending to the area but needs must . I have to use a mirror to put deodorant on as it could end up in completely the wrong place
You are in the very early days of recovery . Taking good care of yourself now will help you in the weeks ahead. 
I hope this bit of info helps you .

good luck and sending hugs 

NannaJ 

Hi there, everything you have put is exactly what I am feeling. It feels really weird washing under arm and yes, deodorant is tricky. I am doing my exercises as my Consultant told me to start them imediately.  Yes, the cushion under the arm is a must. I had a double mammoplasty in February but this sensation is worse than that. I suppose I will get used to it.  Onwards and upwards . Big hugs️

I had mine last May and the area is largely still numb - a lot of the swelling has gone but it went so slowly I hardly noticed and it doesn’t feel uncomfortable anymore - it used to be the first thing I noticed when I got up and somehow it “caught” amd got knocked when I walked around but that feeling has gone.    About 6 months after I got some shooting pains in my arm pit for a week or so and then a little bit of feeling came back.  I think it’s a very very slow heal but I hope it will get easier for you. When I sleep on my side (which is probably still a way off for you but it will come in time) I hug a pillow which just keeps the arm up a little.  I had 21 cancerous lymph nodes in the end so it’s worth it whatever - I still do all the stretches every morning when I get up to release the tightness and after that I’m largely unaware of it during the day.  I’m sorry I can’t share a quick fix story… everyone’s different and sometimes the progress is so slow you don’t notice things changing - but reading your query has made me reflect how far I’ve come - it’s not perfect and I’m still numb but it’s no longer anything I think about or restricting me.  Take care.

I can't imagine this feeling for as long as you have experienced it. I suppose I will get used to it but by the end of the day I'm just pleading for it to go away. You're right, it needed to be done and hopefully my results will be good. I find out on 14th April. In the meantime I am stretching 3 to 4 times a day and hugging a cushion whenever I sit or lay. Thanks for responding and big hugs

I had mine last May followed by radiotherapy and like the other ladies I still have numbness and aching. It sometimes feels like I have a tight band around my upper arm. Daily stretching is the way to go. I had physio last autumn which really helped, contact your breast cancer/lymphodoema  physio if you have one.  It really helped loosen the scar tissue. She said the physical effects of surgery and radiotherapy can take up to 18 months to settle, with stretching! The nerve damage and numbness can take much longer. Probably not what you want to hear so early in your treatment but it does get better and you learn to live with it.

Keep stretching and massaging. Best wishes. 

Hi Row

I had full clearance in July.  I have no feeling under my arm and parts of my back.  The surgeon  told me that will not change!  I guess it’s Something I have to get used to and the nature of the beast.  Some days it’s stiff and I stretch it out and other days it itches and I can’t scratch it.  On the plus side there are days that it doesn’t bother me at all.  Keep doing exercises and stay positive.  Xx

Hi, did you ever think you were doing OK then have a really bad day? Yesterday I could hardly move.  Huge pain in armpit and upper arm. Could only do exercises once as any other movement drive me toears.  Heat helped a little but ended up taking Codiene and found to bed. Too many years Yesterday. 8 days since op

Hi again.

It’s such a rollercoaster this awful thing that is happening to us . You are going to have bad days but in time ‘good’ days start to outnumber them. 
As for your intense discomfort at the moment it might be worth a call to your breast care nurse just to check no infection is creeping in there. I had the same thing in my early days and fortunately all was ok apart from fluid build up. Mine was nerve damage and general post op discomfort but please check it out. I took pain relief before doing the exercises but always made sure I did them as it pays in the long run. 
I am 9 months down the road and still get good and bad days depending on what I have been doing but I promise you do get to live with it. It’s not what I would wish on any of us but we are alive and are receiving the best care possible . You are still in the very early days of shock and acceptance. Look after yourself and try to keep gently moving your arm, support it when sitting or in bed .

Contact the breast care team to check it out. 

Take care and try to enjoy the sunshine today . Keep your mind busy .

sending hugs and love ️ NannaJ 

Thanks Nannaj,  just done exercises and must admit it feels better now. Will have to keep at it. I totally underestimated this process. Thanks for your support and advice. At least I feel all that Iwhat am feeling is normal.  Got a surgery follow up on Tuesday so I'll get them to check it out. Have a fab Easter weekend and enjoy.  Thank you ️

Hi Row

Your still in early days.  I’m 9 months in and I promise it will get so much better.  It’s hard work doing the exercises but they will definitely help you on the long run.  Some nerves will repair so feelings will come back.  You’ve done so well so far and will be amazed that you’ve done so well when you look back.  xx