Having the lymph nodes out has been so painful had opp 10 days ago I have a lump as big as a golf ball and is very painful can I use a moisturiser on the wound yet or can you suggest anything else I can do. It’s doesn’t matter if I wear a bra or not help I am 70 and had some more cancer removed in february xxx
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I am exactly the same! Had all my lymph nodes taken out and now have a hard lumpy swelling on the incision site, which is so painful! I actually sent photos to the cancer nurses yesterday, who said it was normal. They also said it could be drained, but there is a risk the body will just top it up again and then a cycle is made. Therefore, they said it would be best to let it be naturally reabsorbed… but I’m with you, so painful. My inside upper arm is also very painful, but I have no swelling in that arm, thanks to the exercises. So annoying, as I had no pain at all for the first 10 days…
Hi
I had the same, I used to massage the area in a sweeping motion upwards and I used a hot water bottle to the area. I never had it drained and it took a few weeks to settle and go down, but it did eventually xx
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Yeah thanks can you put moisturiser on it. It’s to painful to touch even that’s the trouble I am having the lump is painful aswell as the scar x
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I developed a seroma after node clearan e and got the same steer from the nurses, but as soon as my surgeon saw it he said it needs to be drained. It was drained three times in the end, but that meant I could do my physio exercises. x
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A few weeks to drain, I can cope with that… I’ve got an ultrasonic massager, so had a go with that last night, using castor oil as the lubricant. No change today, but I’ll keep going. It’s so painful! M x
Mine used to go down at night and then flare up again, have you tried a warm hot water bottle at all under your arm that gave me a little bit of relief, I felt like I had a tennis ball under my arm
Xx
Hello millie7
Thanks for posting. It sounds as though you are having a difficult time following your recent surgery to the lymph nodes under your arm.
After surgery for breast cancer there can be several side effects as you can read about in the link. Swelling soon after the operation is common and will usually settle over time. However, sometimes fluid can collect in the operated area called a seroma. As @mels says this can be aspirated (drained) to relieve the swelling and pain. If you haven’t already do contact your breast care nurse to let her know. She may suggest seeing you to assess whether this would be helpful in your situation, advise you on pain relief, and whether you can use moisturiser. It’s best not to use any creams until the wound has completely healed. As @chillout365 says this swelling will settle down over time.
Once the swelling has reduced you may find wearing a supportive bra helpful.
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.
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