Is it normal to feel arm tightening getting worse during exercises? Pain down arm.
I am also getting nerve pain into fingers when doing the stretch against wall, burning pain where muscle stretches which leaves me in more pain after exercise.
I recall physio said not to push past pain levels, keep to 3 out of 10 at most. But if I do that I cannot do exercise properly.
I am taking pain killers, using some anti inflammatory gel where worst pain is 20 mins before exercise.
Bit worried I am making things worse.
But want to help mobility in prep for radiotherapy.
Did some of you experience this? adapt exercises?
I will see physio on Thursday 27th April but bit worried.
I would mention it definitely at your apt this week. When you say 3 out of 10, do you mean you are doing 3 repeats of each exercises, if that is the case remember something is better than nothing and as time goes on it should get better and easier.
You only had surgery less than two weeks ago and everything is only starting to heal now, dont be too hard on yourself, small steps are better. You have a little while yet until you start your rads so dont worry about that
I’m interested you say it’s only a week and a half since surgery. I’ve had two surgeries. Firstly a sentinel node biopsy and then a mastectomy with full node clearance. After both operations I had virtually no pain for the first week and then the pain kicked in. I’m not sure why, perhaps anaesthetics used during the operations lasted longer or something! Anyway it’s very early days for you after one of these major surgeries and it does take time for the body to heal. However the single most important thing that has helped me get mobility back (I had full mobility 9 weeks post mastectomy in spite of significant cording) has been the exercises and physio. Agree you shouldn’t push into higher pain levels but keep the movements going if you can. I was advised that little and often is best - up to 5 times a day if you can remember and aren’t busy doing other things!
It’s so soon after surgery that your body is still making scar tissue - you could ask the physio if this might explain the increasing tightening. I’ve found my physio amazing in terms of giving me confidence - I know exactly what you mean about worrying you might make things worse. Best of luck.
I know during surgery often a nerve block is done which gradually wears off, plus local anesthetic.
I am a wheelchiar iser due to spine injury long ago, have lots nerve pain so recognise it when it bites!! LoL
And totally agree re physio exercises being so important.
I normally do Pilates on a machine which I lay on, gentle stretching exercises for my body.
Going to session Wednesday, obviously not doing resistance exercise with arms at moment as physio said not to. But will have sports injury specialist guide my arm excercises, the day after see physio.
I just surprised at nerve pain now getting worse, literally burning stinging sensation and sharp stabs above breast into shoulder and under arm.
Hoping it will ease off us I heal. It does take time.
At support group women who have had mastectomy say have noted women who have breast sparing surgery do seem to have more pain.
Though we all different.
I do have strong pain killers but trying to lesson them as add to tiredness.
Be gald when Thursday done, as get results and next steps re treatment.
Hi .Meri, I’ve still got pain six weeks after op! Still doing exercises otherwise it tightens really badly, but it is getting better. In the beginning it was unbearable and I was very near to tears. On those days I did my stretching , walking up wall exercises in the shower with a good spray of warm water to warm up muscles. Worked for me. I also worked some bio oil into the muscles and down the arm, but not the wound. This warmed the muscles up and seemed to help reduce the pain. Honestly, anythings worth a go! You have my sympathy!
I was only given the walking hands up wall forwards and then sideways after week 3 of physio when they signed me off. I just had basic ones 3 times a day, 10 times each exercise.
I had severe cording after my lymphnodes were removed. By the time I went for my MX I couldn’t straighten my arm, I looked like C3PO! Cording feels like the veins have shortened in your arm causing tightness, it’s realllly painful to stretch but the surgeon said it wouldn’t cause any damage to do so, you just need to get past the pain. (Not sure if this is how you feel?)
The excersises are really important to keep mobility and reduce the risk of lymphadema (which I also have now), I had to really push myself following the second surgery to straighten my arm and it took weeks.
I would contact your physio again asp to ask their advise on how it feels and get their reassurance that it is normal.
Keep going though! Sounds like you’re doing great.
So glad to have found this thread. I had wide excision and SNB on Monday and wanted to see if anyone else was experiencing same kind of sensations/pain in armpit area. I didn’t have much pain for the first two or three days and now it’s really kicked in. Armpit and inner arm feels like the skin is ripping even though there’s nothing there. Occasionally I have a sensation like I’m holding a bottle or something else hard under my arm - it’s totally weird. Keeping up with the exercises but it often feels as if they are making things worse. Heading into week 2 exercises tomorrrow so I’ll see how I get on with that.
Best of luck to everyone else going through this stage of the process. I never knew how much I loved sleeping on my side until I couldn’t do it anymore!
Good to know I’m not alone with this weird pain sensation thing! It’s definitely bearable and I’m going to start the Week 2 exercises today and see what happens. Can’t wait for the dressings to be off in one week. Desperately want a proper shower!!
how long did did you leave it after surgery to go to your doctor for help? It’s now a week and two days since my surgery and the pain was at its height yesterday. It seems to be getting worse not better. I rang the hospital yesterday as advised if I was worried, and just got the answer that the pain is normal and that I should just keep on with the pain killers. The nurse was probably right but I’m taking maximum paracetamol, ibruprofen and topping up with codeine when necessary. I’m sure I’m rattling with pills! Have to say it feels a little better today (not out of bed yet so not counting chickens) so hopefully I might have experienced the worst of it now.
Hi Alice
Sorry it’s a late reply! I had to go in for 2nd op axillary lymph node dissection.
It was about 3-4 weeks after my SNB when I got my amitrytiline! I hope you are more comfortable now!
I am more comfortable this time round just the painful arm muscle but not that underarm sting!
Thanks for the replies. Have tried hot bath and gentle massage. Have an appointment booked for Monday if it’s still bad. Think I’m developing a seroma too so might be best to get it all checked. Ho hum! X
Sorry to hear you’ve got an infection - me too! I went and had the lump checked out yesterday. The nurse said the pain and swelling was to be expected at this stage (3 weeks post op) but I’ve developed a bit of an infection in the lymph node wound so I’m now on antibiotics. Have they given you a prescription too? I’m hopping this will calm things down for me so hope it works for you too.
