I had a total mastectomy and axillary clearance last week on the 11 August. For the last 2 or 3 days I have had intermintant numbness in my middle, index and ring fingers of the affected side. has anyone else experienced this, will it go away.
Hi, I had left axillary clearance in April and sometimes get tingling in my fingers of that hand but not to a point of numbness. I would say it is early days for you and it might improve, especially if you are able to do the exercises, but do talk to your breast care nurse if it continues - better to be safe and find out about it rather than worry.
Hattie xx
Thanks Hattie - anyone else?
Yes I too had this after mastectomy 18 months ago. But it was in the opposite hand. Did not have it before the op. Thankfully it gradually cleared. I think it was nerve damage. I found it worse if I held for instance the telephone in that hand for any length of time. Unfortunately you get all sorts of weird side effects from the ops and chemo and rads. I also hand numbness and pains in my wrist after the rads. This also cleared. Whenever you are worried about anything just post a message on here. Someone will have had it and can reassure you its a normal side effect.
Hi
I had the same op on the 14th!
Not had any numbness in my fingers, but the feeling comes & goes on the underside of my arm & down my side…which is just horrible! Under my arm is just plain numb!! EUGH!
I have quite a bit of tingling in my hand still & it goes a bit dead sometimes.
I would imagine that it’s all just due to the nerves being knocked about a bit during surgery & it all starting to heal, but like Hattie says it would be worth mentioning to your BCN even if it’s just to put your mind at ease.
Good Luck with the rest of your treatment
Hazel xx
Hi,
I had mx and full anc in Jan 08 and had numbness in the whole chest area, on my side under my arm, in the armpit area, and down the ‘back’ half of my arm. It was due to the surgery as they have to cut through muscles and nerves - some of the feeling has come back but it has taken a long time and I still have numb areas on my chest, side, armpit and back of arm. These may well never recover.
One thing that did help me was physio - I was getting aches and stiffness around shoulder area so my bcn referred me to physio. They were brilliant - I did develop lymphoedema and a frozen shoulder but after 18 months of physio it’s so much better and I was discharged from their care last month and it’s still good !
Another thing you need to be aware of is cording (apologies if you already know about this) but again, physio sorted it.
I hope this isn’t putting a damper on things but would suggest a word with your bcn to see about physio to ensure best movement etc sooner rather than later.
Good luck, Liz