i have had lymphoedema for about 18 mths now and apart from obvious swelling and discomfort i have really bad irritation and just want to scratch all the time.
Have been told its nothing to do with my lymph or recon but funny how it only started then! even though i have got a lot of numbness around the area i am still itchy, anyone similar probs.
Debs x
Hi Deb
Yes I have itching and sometimes worse than others and what’s strange is the area is numb so I wonder how it can feel itchy. When I try and scratch it, it doesn’t help as I can’t feel anything!
Ruby x
Hi Ruby
Sorry you are the same but its so frustrating cos people say to you “well its numb so how can you feel it”. i have tried various creams of the non perfumed variety and its not made a difference, do you still attend a lymphoedema clinic? my nurse is okay but i dont think she really believes its there!
Debs x
Not Lympho… but I have just had my lump removed and some reconstructive work done… the wound itself feels fine one week on… however the fleshy bit under my armpit and along the inside of my arm feels like sunburn and itchy yet I have no stitches in my armpit. I did have a Sentinal Node Biopsy and wonder whether its the blue dye that is making it feel sore, but its the soreness thats making it difficult to move not the wound itself. Very odd!!! Similary when I try to scratch it feels like when you have a local and you know something is happeneing but you can’t feel it… !
Hi shopaholic (love the name!)
I know just what you mean with the invisible itching - it DOES exist!
I had a tram flap recon in 1996 and was then plagued by it for years - mostly across tummy and on ‘new’ breast, sometimes on numb bits at top of arms, too - it’s just about gone now. I still get a bit on the numb place on my shoulder blade (from mastectomy prior to recon).
X
S
Hi Mandy & S
What we girls go through! In answer to Mandy sometimes that feeling can last a while and its pretty weird, I had all my nodes removed but i think it just happens that you sometimes end up with that feeling. its pretty strange and can be uncomfortable, have they told you to use any non perfumed creams to try and ease it?
Good luck with your recovery, rest and take care
Debs x
Hi S
Good to know that you are getting there even tho its a while since your op, i must remember to use “the invisible itch”, may use it to describe my surgeon as he is never there when i go to clinic!
take care
Debs x
Hi Deb
I tend to slap the area which is itching - funny thing to do but it works! I don’t attend a lymphodema clinic as I don’t have lymphodema. I think it’s difficult to explain it to somebody who hasn’t had it which is maybe why the nurse didn’t believe it although she should just take your word for it.
Ruby xx
I mentioned it to my consultant and he said from a Sentinal Node biopsy it was quite normal and nothing to worry about but expect to feel it for some weeks up to a month after suregry… oh happy days!!!