Nerve pain from Sentinel Lymph node biopsy

Hi Ali,

I also had nerve pain after lumpectomy and 10months later I still have a pins and needles sensation on touch when I rub the back of my arm. I to was told that it was nerve damage. It will get better but takes some time. Sorry that’s no help at all, but I have no idea what to suggest to ease the pain apart from time. Deepest empathy x

Thank you for taking the time to reply. You telling me your experience with nerve pain was helpful. Just to hear that someone else has experienced this and it did get better with time is good to hear. I think I just need to be more patient and accepting of this side effect following this procedure. Thanks again. 

Yes, I had nerve pain. It did go away after a few weeks. xxx

Is it cording you have? If so, you can Google exercises for this.  I really forced the stretches through the pain and did them a few times a day and eventually went away after a couple weeks though I have heard of some people, it never really goes fully but the exercises do help.

Ok thanks.  Oh gosh it lasted a few weeks? Was there anything you took in the way of pain meds that helped or anything you did that helped?  I cannot take ibuprofen and paracetamol/codeine doesn’t touch this kind of nerve pain. 

Hi there, that’s helpful to know about cording. Looking it up the symptoms do sound similar to nerve damage so I guess it could be. Will mention this to my breast nurse as I really need to find something to assist with managing the pain and discomfort. Thanks for your reply. 

You can look up exercises on YouTube for this. It is excruciating but you really need to force the stretches, I pushed in the area to help whilst trying to stretch even though it was sore to even touch too.  Were you given exercises to do following surgery?

Yes i was given light arm and shoulder exercises to do for the 1st 2 weeks and then slightly harder ones to do from week 3 for a few weeks. I presume these are given for any breast surgery.  I will look on YouTube for exercises specially geared towards nerve damage. Thank you 

Hi

I had a single masectomy and sentinel node biopsy, ended up with cording despite doing the after care exercises religiously.  Paid privately for a sports therapist to break it all down, not an overly pleasant experience but by Joe did it get sorted out after a few sessions. 

I still have nerve damage and some numbness which consultant said could take up to a year to come back, or it may never come back. Pot luck what I will get back over time unfortunately. 

Had my surgery on Dec 31st 2024, only get the odd shooting nerve type pain now, they are usually totally random.

• Hope this helps someone in some way.

Thanks for sharing your experience. It was very helpful.  Looks like I just need to be patient with the healing.  I wish you well in your journey.