Hi I had full mastectomy and lymph clearance on Friday 30th June. Have been relatively pain free just using paracetamol and ibuprofen. Released from hospital yesterday and drain removed today , however I am now getting sharp nerve like shooting pains in my arms on movement , which I haven’t experienced before also feel numb. Is this just local aneasectic wearing off? Also how do u keep fresh? I am smelling in effected armpits unable to wash properly, using baby wipes but cannot use deodorant due to dressings. Is this all normal or should I be worried? Think I may have done more about house today than I should have too? Can anyone advise please. X
Hi Sib
I didn’t have a mastectomy but had lymph nodes removed. The underarm remains numb for quite some time up to a year sometimes! Mine is still numb from early May so it’s totally normal.
It is really important to start doing the exercises to stop stiffness in the affected arm!
In regards freshness baby wipes or flannel is the best way forward! I am just about to start radiotherapy and can’t wear deodorant so hoping the weather is not too hot! x
Hi Sib, had WLE with full LN excision in February. My dressing and drain came off after a week. I used baby washcloths and fragrance, paraban free shower gel. Still searching for an effective alcohol free, paraban free deodorant. The shooting pains are quite normal as your nerve endings are trying to reconnect . Mine got quite bad, actually, and I resorted to my heavy duty pain killers. I exercised religiously from coming home and that was helpful. I have full mobility, and the numbness has almost gone now. You will find you may have a tickling / trickling / gurgling sensation as your body tries to reroute the liquid your LN dealt with. Bit funny but it will disappear when you exercise. I was told not to lift anything heavier than half a kettle of water in week one. Definitely no housework! No lifting anything heavy with the operated on arm for a while. I was also told I need to always, for ever, wear gloves for washing up and gardening. You and I have no lymph nodes under one arm to fight off any infections from cuts, although, of course, we do have other LN in the body. X
Thank you the pain is almost making me faint when it starts. Spoke to bcn who says it’s normal . Had full mobility when I left hospital but now putting arm above head is impossible Hoping it will ease off. I am really scared of developing lymphodema and the threat of infection to my effected arm. X
Still in pain but not so bad. Impossible to get left arm above head (something I could do last week) or to do my hair. Hoping it will ease off . Got results on Thursday, another anxious wait. How are you doing? X
Will be thinking of you Jencat, is it today or tomorrow ? Lrtt me know how you get on.
It’s so difficult to understand our situation unless you have been in it, people mean well but they have no idea what it really feels like and the fear we are experiencing.
I am upset because my hair needs washed and straightened ( I have shoulder length thick hair) but I’m currently unable to do this but ironically in just a few weeks my hair will be gone due to chemo.
Sending a hug xx