I’m on day 2 after my lumpectomy and SNLB surgery and I’m getting quite a strong stinging sensation in the SNLB surgery area and at the top of my arm. Did anybody else have this? Side of my boob under arm seems quite swollen and squishy too. The lumpectomy part is absolutely fine and doesn’t seem to be any pain at all from that area!
How long was it until you felt comfortable? It’s fine whilst sitting absolutely still 
but then hurts again when I move! Xx
I didn’t have much pain at all but yes, the SNLB site was uncomfortable and possibly felt like stinging but I’ve forgotten already believe it or not! Did you have surgical glue? That’s what I found was pulling. Have you got a heart shaped cushion? That made a huge difference to me, along with sleeping on a v shaped pillow. I got my cushion from Devon Duvets, it’s got a wool filling and is so soft and won’t get sweaty!
Hope someone else comes along to help you with the stinging feeling.
I’m not sure if there’s surgical glue on it, I’ll ask the BCN today when I speak to her. It gives me hope that I’ll soon forget this pain anyway haha!
I’m generally a tough cookie/get on with it kinda girl but this stinging is something else 
Yes I do have a heart shaped cushion and it does massively help!!
Thank you for replying I do appreciate it x
I think many of us had more pain or discomfort in SNLB / armpit area than the lumpectomy wound . For me it was more of a burning / pulling sensation and mine also went into my upper arm . The squishiness you have noticed could be nothing but might just be a haematoma or start of a seroma forming so make sure to tell your BCN about that when they call . Xx
Hi Katie 
You know what’s strange to me, my surgeon made the incision completely around my nipple, it looks like he took it off and reattached it haha and that’s not that area that hurts!
I knew from the forum its the armpit area that causes problems but I don’t think I fully believed people.
My pain did seem to get worse day 5/6 and I’m thinking its because I did a bit too much and I relaxed with the pain medication as well which could be a mistake. I’m back to taking them through out the day again.
For me the pain feels similar to that of a burn or blister. The corner of my armpit, not even near the wound is very, very sensitive to touch. It’s a weird mix of it feeling numb but at the same time painful.
The pain definitely calms down almost to a stop when I stop moving about 
Its just so hard to sit and rest isnt it
Have you managed any of the exercises? I assume the NHS give us all the same sheet to work from (Exercises after breast cancer surgery - Breast cancer now)
Yes it does seem to be more people that feel it where the lymph nodes are removed and it is like a burning sensation that goes from my underarm to the back of my arm!!
I’ll definitely mention it to them they were supposed to be ringing today but I’ll give them a call if I don’t hear from them today. Thanks for your reply x
Hey @foxgem 
Lovely to hear from you!! Yes mine does feel like a burning sensation and I was thinking the same, the pain doesn’t seem to be near the incision site at all! I’m wondering is it nerve pain maybe? Whatever it is hurts like a b!tc* it feels burning/stingy/pulling sensation but numb (if that’s even possible ) when I move and then when I’m still it feels fine like nothings happened at all so I’m taking full advantage today and had a lazy day in bed watching Christmas movies haha!
Yes I’ve been doing the exercises a few times a day too to make sure I don’t lose any mobility!
How many days has it been for you now? I’m only on day 2 post op, hoping the pain will ease slightly before Christmas! Sending lots of love xx
I didn’t see the bit about the squishy swelling earlier. Yes, I had that too. It was a small seroma which disappeared overnight after a couple of weeks.
Don’t try to do too much if you don’t have to. I rested for at least a fortnight and just went for a short walk each day.
I found that doing the exercises did help my arm / armpit but don’t go any further with them than you’ve been advised . I’ve lost my leaflet now ( it’s been nearly 4 years ) but I remember I was supposed to wait before attempting the more advanced ones . Don’t be tempted to overdo things - hard at this time of year . Xx
Today is my week anniversary. I am trying to be a trooper about it but I think the hospital meds must have lingered because it got worse. I’ve kept it moving though. Definitely wont attempt the advanced moves yet.
We’ve got this
Keep an eye on the squishiness as, as has already been said, it could be a haematoma. I had one which was drained (quick and totally painless), but could also just be expected swelling etc from surgery. I wore a snug sports bra after surgery as the compression helps with swelling. I was told it should be tight fitting, but not to the point of being uncomfortable, and you should be able to put a couple of fingers in the band like when you check a baby in a car seat.
The stinging is so annoying! Felt like a carpet burn! I think this is pretty common. I had it down the back of my arm and clothing would irritate it, but it gradually eased and was gone in a couple of weeks. x
Yes the back of my arm has this also! Very unexpected but it’s good to hear it’s not just me
Well happy 1 week anniversary to you 
we’ve absolutely got this, fingers crossed by Christmas day it should be much better for us! Xx
Ahh yes I did see the advanced section so I’ll be sure to read properly when I should be moving on to these before attempting them!
It is hard at this time of year but has got me out of wrapping the presents 
xx
I should be going to see BCN tomorrow to change the dressing so I’ll definitely ask them to check the squishy part!
They never really gave any advice on what bra to wear so I’m just currently in a non underwired soft bra.
That’s good to know the stinging is normal and will ease with time, it’s an eye watering sensation isn’t it, very annoying! Seems to come and go but is absolutely fine when I’m sat still it’s like I’ve not even had surgery
If that’s not an excuse to relax and be waited on then I don’t know what is!
Update on day 3! Had dressings changed today which was a stinger 
but all looking clean and healing well. Had swelling checked and BCN said it just looked like normal post-op swelling but glad its beeb looked at!
The pain has eased alot today but I’m going to keep up with pain meds to keep it at bay. Hope everyone is doing ok 
Oh it’s quite a shock to have that strange feeling. Your nerves are damaged in that area and will feel strange for a while. I’d suggest being careful about the bra you’re wearing. I had more swelling after I’d worn a bra that was a little snug. It’s all normal and you’ll probably find you’ll get the odd twinge or slightly sharp pain for a few weeks or months. If you do have any redness/burning and itching please see your breast cancer nurse or GP in case you have a post op infection. I had that 3 weeks after surgery but soon cleared up after a course of antibiotics. Hope you’ll feel well again soon
Hi there, I’ve just read your post which reminded me of myself 2 months ago and it’ll get better but takes time. I had exactly the same, no pain at nipple site but couldn’t work out the stinging/numbness near armpit at the inside of upper arm. Mine was the start of cording (excruciating to touch and took weeks of massaging to break down). Definitely mention to BCN if the stinging continues. It does go but not the numbness straightaway, that can take months or years apparently! I also overdid exercise too early on and a squishy lump appeared within a week under my armpit, it was a seroma which filled very quickly and was drained 6 times over 3 weeks. Not painful but annoying, you can’t feel it being drained as it’s still numb thankfully
I hope that helps and also you feel much better soon.
I just wanted to give a little update on here and a little tip I’ve found.
My lumpectomy was called a round block mammoplasty with sentinel node biopsy.
So I had the cut under my armpit and then a cut all the way around my nipple. It looked like the surgeon had taken it off and stitched it back on again. The results are great considering, I really can’t complain about the outcome. However… I’m terrified of anything touching it
A few days after the op I removed my bandages but everything still looked too raw so I found some extra large bandages to put over everything.
My armpit is healing nicely now and is uncovered. My nipple though is taking a bit longer to heal and people keep telling me its because ive kept it covered up.
So! My mum had a genius idea! Ive got a sanitary towel stuck to the inside of my bra crop top I dont know why this makes me feel better about it being uncovered but it has. I just dont want fabric rubbing on it but the sanitary towel is ok.
Just wanted to share this as a helpful tip for anyone else worrying about it
Also regarding pain. My arm and armit have really settled down now (day 12) although its still tender to touch but in general its fine but suddenly my nipple has woken up and its my boob thats a bit sore. All of this I think is good progress, atleast the nerve endings must all be coming back to life.
I hope everyone else is recovering well