Hi. I had a double mastectomy (and reconstruction) and right side lymph clearance almost three years ago. I still experience pain/discomfort in my right armpit, and sleeping on my right side causes discomfort in my right armpit, right breast and shoulder.
Is this normal so long after surgery?
That sounds like something that might possibly have an easy solution …
I am wondering whether some scar tissue massage might help you. Contact your breast team or If you are discharged from them then ask your GP to refer you.
I had this and scar tissue massage worked wonders for me. No pain now. I can sleep much better now
Or talk to the BCN nurses on this site.
Hi SarahJJ
Thank you for your post.
It’s understandable you’re questioning whether the pain/discomfort you’re still experiencing in your right breast, armpit and shoulder nearly three years after your mastectomy with reconstruction is normal.
As healing takes place, the pain and discomfort that is commonly experienced immediately after surgery usually subsides. For most people this happens within a few months, but for some people the pain can persist.
Ongoing (chronic) or persistent pain, as the link explains, can have different causes but people like yourself who’ve had full lymph node clearance might be more likely to experience ongoing symptoms. As @ChristineP22 says, for some, ongoing pain might be due to scar tissue.
It’s important that you report the pain you’re experiencing to your treatment team or GP. They can assess what the cause of your symptoms might be and suggest ways of managing this pain. Some people benefit from specialist advice so they may refer you to an NHS pain clinic. And some hospitals run pain management programmes.
We offer a range of free supportive services for anyone who has had a diagnosis of breast cancer which you may be interested in. They include face to face and online courses and events.
For more details about all of these services, please see the information on the link, or call our free helpline.
You are welcome to call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to additional support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks. The number is 0808 800 6000, (Relay UK -prefix 18001).
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Heidi
Breast Care Nurse
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