Pain in armpit after full lymph node removal

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1

Hi,

Im not ‘under going treatment’, had BC in June 2008 full mastecomy and lymph removal, still my armpit is very tender and the arm where the lymph nodes removed and shoulder is quite painfull!

Has anyone else had this so long after operation?

Thanks,

Emily

2

Hi Emily

I had my ops last October, WLE and then in again as hadnt got all the margins clear and had Lymph nodes removed. Mine is still fairly painful too and yes around the shoulder area too. I saw GP about that 2 weeks ago and the shoulder pain is caused by the way I have been holding myself, almost haunched to protect the breast area although I hadnt realised I was doing that. I saw a physio who manipulated my back between the shoulder blades and got me to do some movement exercises and the pain in shoulder is easing off tenfold. The pain I used to have felt like wind was trapped in there and I could never ease it. The armpit pain just catches me at times, I could reach out to get a cup and it sears through, yet other times I could do heavy manual gardening work and it doesnt flinch at all. BCN said its still the nerve endings and it will eventually subside. Hope that helps. Debs

3

hi, i had my intial surgey in march this year… i still have a painful armpit and swollen lymph nodes in the area too…

4

Hi Emily

My surgery was March 08, wle and 9 lymphs removed. My armpit and upper arm is still very tender to touch, as well as numb in areas too. No shoulder probs though.

I think this is fairly normal and may never fully be right again.

5

I had WLE and full axillary clearance in Jan 2008 followed by further surgery to take margins. I too have aches and pains in armpit and areas of numbness in the top of my arm. Parts are so ‘dead’ I could stick pins in it and not feel a thing. I was advised not to lift anything heavy with the affected arm. I am left-handed and it is my left arm which is affected so I am always having to stop and think about it before I lift anything. I don’t have any shoulder pain but, because of joint pains caused by Tamoxifen, I am taking co-codamol and an anti-inflammatory pill.

Cheers,
AlexG

6

i had operation may 2009 still in pain. I am trying a six week course of antibiotics pencillian. started yesterday. Arm pit is hot and painfull and arm is sore.Will let you know if it works. I am confident it will.

7

Hi

I am on week 3 of antibiotics, pencillian. My hot arm pit and swollen boob and and arm is gradually getting better. Slow, but after 5 months of deep pain, the pain is much less. it was nurse at lymphodema clinic who suggessted this as a uk doctor has had success with this. I wish the pain clinic doctor had of examined me and not just listened to what i said, he would have felt the hot arm pit.

8

Hello all,my mx was May this year so I guess Ill have to be more patient as regards armpit pain,I agree about the heat,my clothes are noticeably hotter on my op side,yet since chemo I cant bear to have
anything cold on me. My BCN got me in with a physio whos really helped,she blamed my posture for some of the pain,another case of trying to protect my scar. Im also on a new tablet thats replaced my anti-inflammatory,"Lyrico",its benefitted me two fold,I havent had any scary thoughts since I went on them,plus Im sleeping better
therefore ready to face the world,this is the best Ive felt so far and Im sure its down to these tablets even though theres still some armpit pain. Good luck to you all Mags x