Hi all
3 weeks this Thursday I had 3 cancerous lumps plus a cancerous lymph node and all the others removed.
Must admit the pain has been much worse than I thought it would be but the pain on my armpit and the back of my arm is awful.
Has anyone else experienced this and do you know why it hurts the worse?
Thank Sarah
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Hi Sarah
To be honest I felt the node removal was far more painful than mastectomy . I felt like I had a big lump under my arm was trying to do exercises they gave me but was painful , but don’t remember it lasting that long . I would ring your BCN for advice or nurses on helpline for reassurance
Just for peace of mind xx
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Thank you. Sometimes it feels like I have a rugby ball under my armpit. Yes I’ve been doing the exercises but like you say they hurt.
I’ve got my post op check this Wednesday so I’ll mention something to the consultant then xx
I had my surgery on Saturday and my surgeon said the lymph node clearance would be the more painful bit. Don’t know how long that’s likely to be for though x
Hi. Ok thanks. How are you doing? xx
I’m ok physically. Got told yesterday more lymph node involvement than they thought. Apparently lots of fibrosis so now comes the dreaded wait for pathology results… Mine is her2 positive so have been told will be going on to Kadcyla if there’s residual cancer. It’s like a train I can’t get off!! How about you? Have you had chemo or about to start x
I understand what you mean about a train. Always
waiting for the next appointment to come through.
Suppose in a way I’m lucky as I’m HER2 negative. Guess this will be 100% confirmed on Wednesday.
I started Anastrozole on the 20th December. They tried remove my cancer on the 19th of December, but I went into Anaphylactic shock.
I should start radiotherapy in about 8 weeks time. xx
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@sarah411 I had a lumpectomy and full axillary clearance. The symptoms in your arm and armpit are due to damage to the nerves in the armpit and arm. I found it was worse than the breast surgerywhich,to be honest I barely noticed. Initially my arm was numb around the area where a large blood pressure cuff would go. After a couple of weeks the skin felt really hypersensitive, paricularly on the back of my arm and on the inside towards the armpit.
I found wearing a close fitting long sleeved top, especially if wearing a jumper, helped. Anything to reduce ristion on the skin. I massaged the whole upper arm with cream though I’m not convinced it helped. I wore a bra during the day and a crop top at night which definitely helped. Using a pillow/cushion pushed into the armpit to support in the sofa or in bed helped alot.
I’m now 3 months post op. The numb area has decreased is still there - feels weird but isn’t a problem. The hypersensitivity has greatly lessened and is basically a small patch on my inner arm. Every so often I have a few days of shooty type pains which is the nerves regenerating.
It may be that you have collection of fluid - a seroma - by the axillary incision. It may be an idea to contact your breast care nurse to have a look. Make sure you take regular painkillers.
Hope you feel better soon 
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Hello Im 3 weeks post op nearly tol
Yes my arm is bad- I believe it’s cording- really tight “tendon-like” feeling with lifting arm up high and certain positions. Very painful
I have a cord which snapped yesterday and eased the discomfort.
See if you can get Physio or help from lumphodoema nurses. Physio helped me no end… both exercises and a massage directing fluid to be absorbed naturally. I had a pocket drained and they collected 35ml!!!
You can also self massage say with olive oil. This is what the physio sent me… be patient and enlist help for the hard to reach areas!
Hope it helps x
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They snap?!
I guess that would bring relief
Olive oil in the arm pit?
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And thanks!!
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Just given it a massage and already infinite better… was in agony before !
Thanks so much!
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Well they can sort of “ping”. I had read about this. It was v unexpected but yes, after the shock feels better. I heard hanging arm off bed when lying on it… gravity can work wonders too but my mattress was not high enough.
warm olive oils in hands, helps hands to glide… my BC nurse recommended olive oil with Vit E as it is natural.
Thank you Pat. This has helped alot to understand the pain in the back of my arm and also my armpit. I look forward to a couple of months’ time. I might look into something going around the top of my arm to help with the friction when wearing clothes xx
I will be giving this a go tomorrow. Thankyou xx
Hi. Hope you feel better soon and the pain eases. I’m having my post op check-up tomorrow so I’ll speak to the consultant about it xx
Thank you everyone - this thread has been so helpful. I’m 12 days post mastectomy and lymph node clearance. Was doing so well last week but oh my goodness this week my underarm and armpit are so painful - far more than the breast area. There is fluid splashing around so going to clinic tomorrow- they may drain - as really bringing me down.
What pain relief are you all taking for this? I’m on paracetamol and ibuprofen every two hrs or so. Nervous of more weighty painkillers as give me terrible constipation and really don’t need that on top of everything else!! Agree cushion under arm helps.
Also while I’m here! Night sweats - waking me up 4-5 x a night - any natural remedies that work for you?
Sending love and solidarity to you all. We can do this xx
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Hi there,
I suffered with the same from a mastectomy and full lymph node dissection. My arm was/is very painful.
I found physio/massage very helpful and now my husband does it at home for me. He came to physio with me and took videos of what the physiotherapist was doing. Must do exercises everyday even if it hurts.
I also found that Castor Oil wraps very helpful with the pain. I also use some essential oils.
I hope this helps!
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