Pain from lymph removal

Hi TiredTiger 

Although I didn't still have pain from where my lymph node was removed 8 months later, I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list again.

Have you spoken to your SCNS about the persistent pain? They may be able to make some recommendations.

While you're waiting for replies, it would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

Hi, thanks for that. Appreciate your input. I'll update my profile. And reach out to my nurse. Thanks again!

TiredTiiger,

I had WLE and lymph nodes removed just shy of three weeks ago.

My main scar is healing really well but the scar from the lymph nodes removal is still swollen and healing at a much slower rate. Perhaps lymph removal just naturally takes more time? I am no expert but I am slightly relieved that your experience is similar to mine also though on currently different timescales.

Elmer Fudd, that's still so new, I wish you well. I see from your profile that you're still waiting on results? 

Take extra care of that wound. I waited 6 weeks and thought I was all 'back to normal' and pushed it too hard. I landed up with an infection as the wound reopened. 

Yes Macmillan nurse said 6 weeks before results, surgeon said 2 weeks......and as of this Friday it will have been three weeks.

My wound is down from the top of my ear, along my jaw line and down to the start of my neck. 

So although I have returned to being active its not an area that I can stretch too far (famous last words), but thanks for the heads up........i will be careful.

1. I had the slnb from the groin too. Mine doesn’t ache, but it does get quite sore. I don’t think it helps that once the stitches dissolved, it decided to pop open. This has led to a raised angry looking scar, which is why I think it gets sore. I’ve had to change my style of knickers as they were rubbing right on the scar and find boy short styles much comfier on it.

I would think that it takes a while to heal because someone is rummaging around a small opening looking for lymph nodes, removing them and then shoving everything back in place. 

Hi. I've just read about your journey and my heart ached for you because I can so relate to your experience and feel the frustration and heaviness. I too have changed to boy shorts. In a small way, it's a comfort to know you're there. Thank you for commenting, I really appreciated this today!

Met with my cancer nurse the is week and discussed by scar from my SLNB in July and she said that my current 'numbness' could take to 18 months to fully recover.

She also said that the surgeon may have just caught a nerve and the numbness may be permanent. Now awaiting a follow up with the surgeon.

Hello there 

I had a melanoma experience back in 2024, with WLE on my shoulder and SNLB under the armpit.
Got a seroma, about 6 weeks after the surgery, which cause a lot of pain and eventually got infected. 
Even after it cured, I still have some pain under my armpit, 1 year later. 
the doctors told me that there is fibrotic (I believe that’s a word) scar tissue there, which can cause this pain and it’s normal to have from time to time numbness sensation, especially if the surgeon cut through the nerve. 

I noticed when the weather changes it’s always a bit more painful and itchy :) perhaps is just my imagination.

I am doing regular lymphatic draining massages, and it helped to clear up the inflammation and the little lymph nodes that remained inflamed after the surgery and the infection. I still have a few, but far less. the doctors told me that some may always remain like that (they are millimetric).

hope this helps.

A