Has anyone else had problems with a lumpy scar? I had a mastectomy and axillary clearance 6 weeks ago. Ever since I’ve had a bulge vertically across the scar near my armpit. It’s about 4cms long and stands about 1/2 cm high over the rest of the scar. It feels quite solid - like the end of my nose. It feels to me like my skin has been folded over on itself. The skin is stretched tight and puckered at the side, forming a large dent. The bulge pulls against my arm when I move and stings a lot (in the bits that aren’t still numb!). It’s different from the tenderness in the armpit from the axillary clearance - which is getting much better. The whole scar is hot and tight all the way from the cleavage, so arm exercises are sore. Below the bulge I feel bruising although there’s nothing to see on the surface of the skin. I did have a lot fluid which needed drained and got wound infections, so at first I thought perhaps that was the problem, but that’s all over now.
I’ve had other surgery twice before so I do have something to compare this with - and this is quite different. It feels very wrong to me and the explanations I’ve had don’t seem to fit with what I’m feeling. The surgeon has eventually (after 2 attempts) said that he thought he might have taken away more of me than he should. I think he was saying that he had removed fat rather than just the breast, so there was a sinking in at the side. The breast care nurse thinks it’s scar tissue. Neither of these answers seem to me to explain the ongoing pain. I feel such a wimp for complaining all the time, but it’s very real. I’m getting very ratty with it and can’t sleep without knockout painkillers. I have asked my GP about it and he doesn’t like the look of it either, but doesn’t know what it is.
I’ve also just started rads and am concerned that it’s going to get worse still. For the longer term I can’t imagine how I’m ever going to be able to wear a prosthesis over this uneven surface. I didn’t expect to be a thing of beauty after surgery, but my scar looks really awful - no comparison with pictures I’ve seen of mastectomy scars.
Can anyone help please? Is there someone else I could be talking to about it, or should I be asking for an X ray or something? Ideally I’d like you to reassure me that it’s going to get radically better all by itself over time!
I have had problems with excess fluid after my mastectomy and axillary clearance. They drained quite a lot away, but came to a point when no more would come out. The breast care nurse said to me that the lumps are the clotted blood which will take at least six weeks to be reabsorbed by my body. It seems that like a lot of this treatment - it is a waiting game. Mine too feels tight when I move my arm but my scar does not sting - still loads of numbness. Keep phoning your breast care nurse - I find they are more helpful than the doctors. Hope this helps a bit.
Hi Flo and Sarah,
I am 3 weeks post op after mastectomy and axillary clearance.
I too have had problems with fluid build up, I have lots of lumps and bumps all along my scar.
My drains were in for 12 days, but were not efficient, so consultant removed more fluid with a needle.
Although there is no sign of infection to my wound the area is very hard and very uncomfortable.
My GP reassures me that the swelling will go down with time, I am also taking pain relief and sleeping tablets to cope with this.
I woke this morning at 4a.m the pain was so bad, I had rolled over during the night onto my wound Ouch!!!
This problems seems never ending, I felt better immediately after the surgery.
Have you tried Bio Oil ?, most pharmacies have it, a little expensive, but worth every penny to me.
The oil contains natural products, and I rub a few drops over my wound 3 times a day, it has helped ease the lumpiness and makes the skin softer.
You may want to ask your BC Nurse about the oil, it works for me.
I hope this helps,
Rosamund x
Hi Flo and Rosamund
Thanks for replying to my anguished rant! I’m pleased to report that it is settling down a little. Went to see the BC nurse eventually and she agrees that it’s not been sewn up right and suggests that I see a plastic surgeon to get it sorted out. Can’t do anything yet as I’m having rads, but it has helped to know that something can be done. Rosamund, I felt loads better than this after surgery and then went downhill fast. Scar is much more liveable with in the day now, but still very uncomfortable at night and like you, if I roll on it - oh boy!
Re Bio Oil - yes I used it for a couple of weeks and it is good. Can’t use during the rads, but will go back to it when I can. I hear Palmers Cocoa Butter is good too - used to use it in the past for dry skin (mine is v sensitive), but i hear it does good things with scars too.
thanks for the encouragement - gratefully received!
Sarah
X
Hi there
I had my mastectomy last week and my scar sounds very similar. When the disctrict nurse removed the sutures yesterday, she said the wound at the side looked ‘a bit botched’. I was very upset. I had hoped the wound would be much flatter - but there are swellings and depressions above and below the wound and at the side a funny bulgy area. My drains fell out on day one post op, and I am now getting some swelling and tightness around the armpit. My breast care nurse said it is very early days and a lot of this should settle down in time. The ward gave me some spare dressings, and I have put some back on the wound as it was tender under the arm. Also getting painful ‘shivery’ feelings in the wound and occasional stabbling pains.
I am sorry to know other people have these problems as well, but it is also somehow reassuring to know it is not just me!
Helen
I only had lumpectomy /Lymph nodes removed but one long scar into my armpit. Saw the physio today and she told me to massage the scar gently in circular movements with E45 as this gives it a better chance to strtch rather than tighten up. I also have a lumpy bit under my arm which I hate touching and that also doesn’t look very neat.
Helen
Know what you mean re cold shivery bitsand stabbing pains, mine was like for a few weeks but is now much improved. Like you I was worried, but it will improve honest.
Did they give you exercises to do? Not easy but persevere.
Hi Helen and Norma
Sorry to hear you’re having problems too.
Just to let you know, another 2 weeks on and the pain is much much better. It’s hard to tell how the scar is going to resolve as the rads have affected things, but I live in hope!
Sarah
XXX
Bonjour à tous
Went for 15 month c/u yesterday and brought up the subject of my pouchy scar. I was offered more surgery to tidy it up but I did not snap up this opportunity!!! Especially as the surgeon told me the “oreilles” - they call them “ears” here in France MAY shrink in time and that some women get them - others don’t - all depending on skin type and anatomy. he was NOT the doctor who operated on me. I did not dare to ask why I was not seeing her - wish I were more bold!
Bisous
Shirley