Has anyone else had a disconcertingly numb shoulder after lymph node / sentinel node biopsy? It’s like the skin across my shoulder blade is all tingly and a sort of muscular discomfort which isn’t helped by massage. I’m 2 weeks and 3 days post surgery when two nodes were removed. Sigh!
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Hello Tiggles
Hopefully it will settle down it’s early days, drink plenty of fluids and do gentle exercise if you can manage to .
I had 26 nodes removed in 2019 during an Axillary Clearance. Sadly my shoulder and right arm have had persistent pain, but that’s just me. I hope yours will settle down, but check with your Breast Nurse if you feel it’s too uncomfortable, they will advise you how to help limit the pain. I just massage moisturiser in ……
Good luck
D
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Hi @Tinggles
I had a mastectomy on September 1,2022. I had 28 lymph nodes removed. The skin on the underarm was super sensitive to touch for 2 months. Fast forward to present one year later, skin sensitivity is gone but I now experience numbness, needles and pin. Was told that the feeling is permanent. I was tod to do arm exercises 3 times a day. On certain days I have slight swelling in the wrist area. I still feel pain when I stretch out my arm. Hope your discomfort will settle down with time.
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@tiggles hello! I had complete lymph node clearance and 29 lymph nodes were removed. There are a total of 40 nodes per armpit. The first 3-6 months were a total nightmare. But I have been doing physio twice a week since 9months and been taking pain killers. It eventually gets better and since it’s very new for you, just need patience. Just hang in there and exercise regularly. It eventually does gets better. 
Sending best wishes n hugs 
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Hi Tiggles
I’m coming up 7 weeks post op. The wounds have healed well, I get discomfort and the burning and shooting pains in my breast which are experienced by many. All very bearable. However, I have pain in my shoulder blade radiating to my neck and in my upper arm which I need to take painkillers for especially at night. As you say it feels muscular. Putting a cushion under my armpit helps.
Hope it improves for you soon. x 
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Thanks all of you. Sorry to hear of what you’re going through. It’s odd to be reassured by other people’s discomfort but it tells me it’s normal and can ease off. It’s early days as you say. I had no idea there were so many lymph nodes per pit. Kinda puts my two nodes down into perspective - although the breast care nurse said don’t compare or downgrade your own experience through this. Hope you’re all more comfortable soon. Xx
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I’m panicking about my shoulder as I have impingement of the external rotator cuff on my breast cancer side. My surgery is next week and I’m going to ask the team to try and be really mindful when positioning my arm/shoulder as it doesn’t take much to ramp it up at the best of times !!
Yes, sounds like it’s worth being quite explicit with a number of the team before and on the day. The surgeon and anesthetist ought to check in before the surgery so you can mention it then.
Definitely, actually quite tempted to get a marker pen and write down my arm “please be gentle with me” 
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Midwife60, I have a problem with my neck and arm following an accident many years ago. I discussed it with the anaesthetist. She examined me closely, checked my range of movements and noted it on my notes. The blood pressure in that arm is significantly higher in that arm due to the damage and as that arm is the opposite to the op site that was the one they would use to monitor my Bp. Again this was noted.
Please be honest with the team and I’m sure that they will be able to reassure you and take good care of you.
Hope all goes well for your surgery.
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Hi again. I hope that your shoulder is settling down and you are more comfortable.
I mentioned mine to the surgeon at my appointment yesterday and he reassured me that it is almost certainly due to the surgery and will settle in time. Hope it’s the same for you. x
Thanks Holly.52. It does seem to be settling a little or at least I’m feeling less disconcerted by it. x
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