Has anyone got any good advice for a sore shoulder after having a masectomy??
I am a 26 year old man who had treatment almost 2 years ago and my left arm is not in a good way and I’m scared i may get lymphoedema!!
To look at me I am a 6ft, fifteen stone ,tattooed ,skin headed ,Londoner and i have never been so terrified of something in my life .
Ladies please help need some advice
Nicky xx
Hi lucky25
Whilst you are waiting for the other forum users to reply with their support and advice please feel free to give the BCC helpline a call. Here you are able to talk in confidence to one of our trained members of staff who can offer you a ’ listening ear’ as well as support and advice if required. The number to call is free phone 0808 800 6000 and the line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturdays 9am to 2pm.
I hope this is helpful.
Kind regards
Sam
BCC Facilitator
Hi Nicky
I think the advice given is to continue with the (post -op) exercises and to keep at them. Keep the skin moisturised and supple and watch out for b…y roses when flower arranging!!!
All the best,
Alloway.
Hi Nicky - the tattoes and skinhead sound awesome!
When you say your left arm ‘is not in a good way’ - what do you mean? Is it already swollen? Or does it feel tight and horrible, sort of aching and bursting? If it’s any of these, you may already have lymphoedema (and the weight of the extra fluid in your arm could be one reason your shoulder is painful) and I think you should see your GP/BCN/whoever who can get you referred quickest to a lymphoedema clinic/nurse. If you haven’t got it, the lymphoedema clinic/nurse may be able to put your mind at rest
Alloway’s suggestion about the exercises seem to be a good idea. I’ve already got lymphoedema myself and I would suggest also that it wouldn’t hurt to be extra ‘nice’ to your arm…
Don’t over-use it (repetetitive movements are especially bad), don’t lift or carry anything heavy with that arm, support your arm (particularly the elbow) with a cushion/pillow when you are sitting down, elevate it above the level of your heart in bed - if possible, easier said than done, I know! Use insect repellent to avoid getting bites on it, wear gloves for gardening, housework (including washing dishes) and handling chemicals such as bleach.
Finally - you probably know all this already - never, EVER, let anyone, no matter how senior their position, take blood, blood pressure or perform any kind of injection on your ‘at risk’ arm.
Hope this helps - do let us know how you get on.
By the way, if you are let in on ‘breast cancer’s dirty little secret’ - and I really hope you’re not - there is a ‘Lymphoedema’ category on ths website now.
All the best
S