Hi everyone,
I am 12 months on from a lumpectomy and radiotherapy and around 3 months ago I started with really bad shoulder pain and a numb arm which my consultant said it very common. The should pain has gone now but I still have a numb arm (pins and needles) and thumb. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it as common as they say or is this just to make me feel better about it? Many thanks for anyone’s reply xx
Hi Fazza
Unfortunately, in my experience, the answer is yes. Although I had radical surgery plus the full works in terms of treatment, I’m guessing surgery is surgery and if nerves get severed to save your life, it’s a small price to pay.
I have a left arm numb on the outside from elbow to shoulder and extending towards my scar. My mastectomy and axillary clearance were 12 months ago. Occasionally my elbow skin feels very sore and sometimes my arm tingles so I think it’s getting back to life - then it goes numb again. I also get an itch deep inside my inner arm, completely unscratchable, and I convince myself the nerves are healing. I guess it just takes time for nerves and the brain to adapt to new circumstances - but I believe they do adapt eventually. It hasn’t extended to my hand but I have peripheral neuropathy from the chemo just to make up for that lol.
I’m not sure I’m being reassuring as I don’t offer much hope, do I? But you definitely aren’t alone and your consultant is right. However, I’d say that, since you didn’t have axillary clearance, you may well heal much sooner than I. Actually, now I think about it, decades ago, I had a lumpectomy (a fibroadenoma) which left a 5 inch scar like a smiley face under my nipple. I often found that lower part of my breast was numb. Maybe we all heal differently. However, if the shoulder pain comes back, ask for a referral to the physiotherapist - they can really help.
Hope you feel ok soon. Take care,
Jan x
Hi, I’ve recently finished chemo in September and radiotherapy early November following surgery for breast cancer. For sometime now I;ve been experiencing numbness/tingly feelings in my fingers and toes. I’ve been told this is a common side effect of chemo and also the Herceptin injections I’m having, I just wondered if anyone has found something to help relieve the symptoms.
I’ve just found out this week that I also have the start of lumphodeama which I need to wear a compression sleeve for but the nurse said my numbness/tingly feeling wasn’t to do with that and would be the chemo.
Any advice on this would be appreciated.