Looking to hear from anyone who had a Lymph Node Clearance operation. I had mine 2 weeks ago and can honestly say I’m in the same pain with the same low level of movement as I was the day after the op. The painkillers aren’t even touching the sides and although I’ve been doing the basic exercises every day I can’t even think about moving in to the advanced ones due to the pain.
My scar is sore but the biggest issue is my upper arm which hurts even if brushed gently getting dressed. Please tell me the pain will ease! How long did it take everyone to start feeling ‘normal’ again and what pain relief did you use? X
I didn’t have a clearance, just three sentinel nodes but I identify with the pain and discomfort you are having. It does get better. I remember at two weeks it was the worst , by three weeks it was improving and by four weeks, apart from underside of arm and armpit being numb, I was almost back to normal and the nerve endings in my skin much less sensitive . Keep doing your exercises if you can, I know the soreness gets you down and makes you want to cry but it will be better. Hope this helps . Big hugs and lots of luck
We all heal at different rates and the FAC can cause particular problems. Not only has the scar got to heal but your body has got to adapt to the fact that there’s a vacuum in there that will need to be filled (hence the need for exercise to keep it all flexible) and the surgeon may have severed particular nerves which are causing your pain.
I’d suggest you contact your breast care nurse or surgeon for guidance. I ended up needing physiotherapy through oncology rehabilitation which was very helpful. Then chemo led to neuropathic pain and I ended up with gabapentin and then pregabalin prescribed by my GP for the pain. I’m still taking it more than 2 years on.
This needs to be sorted early to avoid longer term problems and you will need to take good care of that arm, scar and joint for ever. I was diagnosed in Sept 2018, then got another diagnosis this March which distracted me from the original problem. I forgot all about exercise and massage and now I have cording all down my arm which is so painful. Back to the BC nurses! It feels so unfair. But I think I was unlucky - many women recover fully and only need to do the maintenance exercises and precautions without discomfort or pain. Don’t despair yet. - it’s all resolvable.
I hope you get sound advice from your BC nurse and the pain eases with time. OTC painkillers don’t touch nerve pain so you’ll need to talk to your GP about something specifically for nerve pain - amitryptiline is the best, from my experience. Good luck. X
I had lymph node clearance, did all my exercises, had cording so physio worked her somewhat painful magic 2 years ago. Went back recently as skin was getting very tight. I think I got very lazy with my exercise. Scar has healed very well with the aid of Bio Oil. However, I still feel discomfort under my arm (the feeling of a small ball) but there is nothing there and the physio said this could be as good as it will get. I suppose I am adjusting to it. Everyone is different is so true so I hope you recover quickly. Small price to pay really. x
i had a double lumpectomy and a lymph node clearance on my right and lymph node biopsy on my left I had this 2 weeks ago today, I wanted to ask the same thing you asked when my clothes touch the top of my inner arm gently it feels like my arm is chaffed and sore (they aren’t) and just wondered how long this lasts for but you seem to be the only person I can find who has had this.
Just wondered if you had any answers to the reasons why you have this.