Anyone had similar?

After my dx and op in Autumn 2006 I had post-op problems - an open wound which was packed and dressed daily by hosp/practice/district nurses for 6 months. During that time I had several breast infections which were treated with anti biotics. Since then I have been ok - in the past few months I think the oedema has lessened and I have just had my 2 year mammo which was, thank God, clear.

On Saturday I felt unwell, shivery and groggy, and I thought I had a cold brewing. Yesterday however it was as tho all the symptoms of an infection were back - swollen, warm breast with burning pains. A warm bath helped and I dosed myself with nurofen which let me get some sleep.

This morning, nothing, back to normal. I am mystified as to why it came after all this time and equally, why it has so quickly gone?

Love to all, Laine

I also don’t have a clue why infections just flare up especially so long after surgery…I had op dec 07 and had an infection already by the time the bandages were taken off for the first time.I have lost count how many infections I have had in the last year,around six i think,and i’m wondering if it will ever totally heal.the rest of the wound healed within one month,but if it responds to antibiotics it can’t be a recurrence,right?I have asked friends about this and they never had any infections which makes me wonder why I had to go through all this !! it’s agony to try to get dressed when having an infection,really limits movement.sorry enough moaning from me,I hope someone will have some insight or experience to share with us

Hi hlaura

I am really fed up with this - espcially as things seemed to have sorted themselves out in the past couple of months. I wonder if I have been carrying too much stuff lately, xmas shopping etc as my arm feels a bit strange too. Oh well, thank God for nurofen. I will go and see about it after the holiday - if I can bring myself to.

Love Laine

Hi i too have had ? oedema in the breast, finished treatment ( lumpectomy Sentinel node biopsy chemo and rads) in Sept also had an infection after lumpectomy which took ages to heal.

i thought the breast was getting better, then went quite painful red and angry looking, saw consultant who thiks it is still the effects of rads, plus oedema in the breast.

Some days it is ok but then all of a sudden will be sore and very red. I have continued to use simple stuff on body as ? may be reacting to skin.told to wear a supportive bra and to continue to use aqueous cream. The GP did treat me for an infection with 2 lots of antibiotics which upset my tummy!!

I think it is worth getting things checked asap if you don’t feel well , you know yourself when something is not right. I get pain in my arm too if i have done too much etc. Damage to veins from chemo. Keep taking the painkillers and anti inflamatorys.

hope things improve soon and you have a good christmas and health new year
Sarah66

Hi Sarah

I think your problems sound very similar to mine. I too thought I was doing ok then back it came…I will go to the docs after xmas but I think its more likely to be the oedema playing up. I was told to massage it on a regular basis but what with one thing and another I havnt been doing it for a couple of weeks and have been carrying too much, I think I got a bit complacent. I had almost forgotten the pain etc and it gave me a bit of a fright. This is another reason why I find it hard to “move on”, post op problems dont sound much but can be really upsetting and a constant reminder.
Love Laine