Post Mastectomy and Axillary Lymph node removal pain

Hi

I too had cording from a right masectomy.

Keep doing the exercises several times a day, it will be painful but just keep going.

I also paid privately for a sports massage therapist to break my cording down, it did take several sessions and it is quite painful, but now my arm is 100%better, full range of movement and no cording.

I did check that this was ok with my surgeon before doing it, so please check with yours just incase this is not suitable for you.

I still have some nerve damage and numbness 3 mths post op. I have been informed this may or may not get better over time. I still get nerve type pains randomly. 

Hope this helps.

Hi DaffodilSue  I recommend asking to be referred for physio - it has been a game changer for me - have had several sessions and this has resolved some lymphoedema I was experiencing and has also softened scar tissue. (The only thing is that it might be too early? I wasn't referred until a couple of months after surgeries). I would definitely discuss with your nurse. If you possibly can keep going with the exercises, try - I found these key to resolving early problems. Sending positive vibes - the pain and discomfort is really debilitating and I found it really got me down - hope you can get it sorted / improved xx

I completely understand. I had really bad cording, for context as soon as I showed my consultant and breast care nurse they both stood back and said ooh yes that’s bad. I couldn’t even straighten my arm down my side. I was referred to physiotherapy about 3 weeks post op. A few sessions in and I could straighten my arm and got full movement back. I have also taken up reformer Pilates which has really helped. As we speak I do have one painful stubborn cord left. I’m still seeing the physio and she is doing massage and cupping which is really helping. 

It’s very recent!

You are doing the right things though, rest, pain relief, massage and exercises as far as you are able. Be gentle on the area and kind to yourself. Walking outdoors helped me feel better too.xx

• I did not have a mastectomy, but did have axillary clearance as 2 sentinel nodes were found to be affected in the original surgery. I had a drain which kept draining fluid beyond the amount for it to be removed and so was restricted in the exercises I would have moved on to after the first few days. It was removed after 3 weeks anyway and so I started more from there. 
  Anyway I kept it moving, collected fluid which they drained once, plus developed an “organised collection” where it settles into pockets of tissue and hardens a bit. It’s all been absorbed over time and I did occasionally follow a YouTube procedure to massage it up towards my neck lymph nodes plus across to nodes between breasts. 
  I had a bit of cording, the radiologist who saw me when I was due for radiotherapy advised moisturising and massaging up and down with thumb and forefinger each side of cords and that saw it off. 
  Anyway I’m 16 months on from the node clearance and the scar has softened and fluid no longer an issue. I can move it well and as I’m right handed, with surgery on the right embrace any type of stretching and lifting chore fairly enthusiastically. My breast surgery 9 months previously had involved lumpy scar tissue and what seemed to me a very large haematoma and that had settled well so I had some confidence that the armpit would.  
  I realise my armpit and upper arm will always feel a bit different, a bit numb and have put to the back of my mind that all the nodes removed were entirely healthy and unaffected! I had been tempted to refuse, but the small tumour I had was grade 3 with a high proliferation index so I signed up..
• All the best with your recovery daffodilsue.xx

Thank you all for your replies they have been so helpful and really picked up my mood.

I have been referred for Physio which will start in two weeks.

I have made myself do the exercises and as hard as it was they have helped with the pain slightly so great advice to keep going.

The Seroma is disturbing but I will try massaging the fluid up to neck, good tip

Thanks all again your replies have been useful and uuplifting xx

Good luck DaffodilSue 

Let us know how you get on ️

I knew something more was going on but because I didn't have a fever or redness of the skin I was told it's all normal recovery and physio would help. I ended up in agony and my skin did start going red so I went to A&E yesterday, and it turns out I have Cellulitis (skin infection). I am now worried that where the seroma has hardened, it's actually Lymphodeama. I tried doing everything right and I'm so frightened and anxious I have caused this. A&E have made an urgent referral to the breast clinic who have not seen me since my surgery date on 16th April, as every time I called they weren't concerned and said there was no point in going in. I feel so list at sea.

*lost at sea

Hi DaffodilSue,  I am sorry to hear this.  You have not caused this, these things happen  unfortunately.  Have you got the number for the breast care nurse as she will probably be able to get you an appointment straight away.  Good luck.