Hi, I have a question about arm ache. I had a wide local excision and sentinel node biopsy 9 weeks ago. I felt like I recovered quite quickly, did my exercises and would say up to a week ago was pleased at how little I could feel my wounds and was more or less back to normal apart from a numb bingo wing! I started (2 weeks ago) Letrozole and had the first of my Zolodex injections and am awaiting the start of radiotherapy. But just out of the blue my arm has started really aching and being tingly again. I haven’t done anything especially strenuous but would like to know how long other people have taken to recover arm-wise and if it’s anything to worry about. Maybe I’ve expected too much too soon? Just paranoid about developing lymphoedema. I’ve also got a really bad cold at the moment and wondered if a lower immune system can bring on the aches again. Any advice or similar experience really appreciated. Xx
Hi Mumbakes
I had a mastectomy followed by lymph node clearance. From my experience and reassurance from my BC nurse the tingling is because the nerves in your arm were damaged and they are sending off random impulses to try to work again. It’s a horrible feeling, I found quite hard massage one way from wrist upwards helped. Don"t do soft feathery strokes as apparently that just anoys the little blighters.
As I have had a full clearance I think I am developing .some lymphoedema symptoms and they feel different to the tingling. My upper arm feels larger in a sleeve, there is a bit of a tight feeling and a slight heaviness in my arm. This seems worse when I have over done things like in the past week.
If you feel unsure though and want some reassurance then why not ring your BC nurse too have a look at it and a chat. Hope this might help.
Hi Mumbakes
I had a mastectomy followed by lymph node clearance. From my experience and reassurance from my BC nurse the tingling is because the nerves in your arm were damaged and they are sending off random impulses to try to work again. It’s a horrible feeling, I found quite hard massage one way from wrist upwards helped. Don"t do soft feathery strokes as apparently that just anoys the little blighters.
As I have had a full clearance I think I am developing .some lymphoedema symptoms and they feel different to the tingling. My upper arm feels larger in a sleeve, there is a bit of a tight feeling and a slight heaviness in my arm. This seems worse when I have over done things like in the past week.
If you feel unsure though and want some reassurance then why not ring your BC nurse too have a look at it and a chat. Hope this might help.