Arm Ache 6 Months on

Public Archive
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Hi All
I had matectomy and node clearance in May this year and am presently having chemo ive had 4 EC and 3 Taxotere and 1 to go.
Over the last week i have had increased stiffness in my surgery side arm more numbness, aching, and a bit of swelling, it is feeling like it did straight after the operation where it felt like i had something under my arm. Is this normal could it be the chemo or could it be the start of Lymphoedema i am getting worried, anyone else experienced problems six monyh on from operation
Rachel

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Hi Rachie

If you look above this thread in the same room you will find a discussion on lymphoedema treatments which you may find useful.
Also Breast Cancer Care have an information leaflet called reducing risk of lymphoedema which may also be helpful. It can be found at the following link:- breastcancercare.org.uk//docs/reducing_risk_of_lymphoedema_0.pdf

I hope this information is of use to you.

Kind regards

Sam
Moderator
Breast Cancer Care

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Hi Rachie,

I first had a lumpectomy with 8 node clearance, then total clearance now a mastectomy. It all started two years ago and I still have pains in my arm. It doesn’t often swell though.
If you are experiencing swelling it could well be lymphoedema which I think you will be aware would account for the pain. The BC nurse should be able to see you if not the consultant. I am sure she could tell you if you have signs of Lymphoedema,

I hope it turns out that its just intermittent swelling as I don’t think you would want anything else on top of what you are going through.

Take care
Carol

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Hi Rachie,

I had surgery & node clearance in March. I still get aches & pains in my arm - always scared it’s the start of lymphoedema, but I’m OK so far. I had 4 FEC & 4 Tax, finished last month. I always found my arm got worse after each chemo, particularly the Tax. I’m beginning to wonder if it will always be like this, or whether it will settle down one day and I will start to feel normal again.

Are we just being over-optimistic, and expecting it all to get better too soon? At the hospital they tell you to do the arm exercises & it will all get better, but my experience hasn’t been like that. I suspect it is a much slower process than we are lead to believe.

Take care
xx

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Thanks Carol and Roadrunner
I think the taxotere is effecting me quite badly (tiredness) and am hoping this is causing the aches, today even holding my phone up to my ear has caused the dull ache to set in. I will be seeing my oncologist next week as it is my last chemo so will mention the problems i am having. I am just getting really frustrated now and six months on want my life back to normal at the moment i cant imagine coping with cooking/cleaning/work/school run all in one day!
I still have rads/tamoxifen and herceptiin to go so along time before life can try and return to normal.
Thank you for replying
Rachie

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Hi again Rachie,

On another thread Roadrunner pointed us to the following link. Its quite a long article but well worth the read, its just up our street so to speak.

cctrust.org.uk/article3.htm

Cheers

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Hi Carol
Just a quick thankyou for the web link, could really relate to the article, makes me feel that I am not alone with these worries.
Thankyou

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Thats ok Rachie, Roadrunner was good enough to pass this on to us.

I hope you are feeling a little better today.

Carol