I had a left mastectomy with total lymph node clearance in February. Did my exercises from day 1, I completed the 5 day radiotherapy a month ago. Despite the pain and achiness getting better, it has now worsened, the area around my underarm is very stiff and achey and along the mastectomy scar. Is this normal? Thankyou.
Radiotherapy, the gift that keeps on giving! Your BCN should be able to refer you to physiotherapy which will help. I had a peak of symptoms around xmas time after radiotherapy in August, then again an episode of cording in March. I still get worsening breast oedema if I dont keep on top of massage daily - had a lumpectomy and just 1 SLN removed.
@entropy Thankyou, I was getting quite worried. My skin on the chest wall has also flared up again, appearing like hives and some itching, applying aloe Vera gel liberally again, I didn’t realise that things will never quite be the same again. They tell you to exercise and all will be well.
I’ll phone the BCN on Monday. Thankyou and all the best to you. X
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I got given some hydrocortisone cream for the itchiness, might help your hives too.
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I’m sorry to hear your feeling a lot of discomfort. I’m 5 years down the line and I’m sorry to tell you I still get a lot of aches and pain. Try to do exercise when you can, even just very gentle.
I took up Pilates which I find really helpful but do let your teacher know as you need to avoid lymphoedema.
Massage when you shower and take a paracetamol to ease any pain.
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@YV4820 Thankyou for your advice. So sorry that you continue to experience pain. I know it’s early days for me, I just couldn’t understand why I was recovering well then all this pain returned.
With your arm relaxed by your side, feel deep in your armpit, if you feel any sinewy bands, thats the cords. The aim is to break them up as otherwise it can restict movement. If you get them, gradually stretching them and deep massage, can break them. I snapped one stretching - stung at the time, but unrestricted movement after with out a sore pulling sensation that had developed. I pull quite a few weight machines at the gym with my arms these days, seems to ward it off.
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Hi @sue9
Yes, as others have said it does sound like a side effect of the radiotherapy and it is still very early days for recovery with your op only being in Feb. Definitely speak to your BCN about the physio team referral and any issues with your scar is worth discussing with your BCN - to see if she thinks it worth your surgeon seeing you again for a check. Also Penny Brohn does some free online webinars about scar care.
My physio told me that the first 2 years after an operation is considered early for recovery and that scar tissue and any tightness can be worked with most effectively in the first 2 years, i.e. through exercises and self massage. I’m over a year post mastectomy, ALNC and reconstruction and nearly a year post radiotherapy. I found the radiotherapy definitely made my scar tissue post operation worse, harder and more restricted movement after and it hasn’t improved since really despite doing loads of exercises. So I’m slowly accepting that these are changes for life but are manageable. However, my shoulder, and recovery from the ALNC has been improving gradually despite the fact I can’t seem to shift the cording and my shoulder range is still pretty good despite this. I also had a remedial massage privately about 1 year post operation and it restored my full range of movement in my shoulder, and it loosened up my pecs which had tightened up so I would recommend that later down the line.
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Thankyou for this advice. I have a routine 6 month appointment at the breast clinic on Monday. I will mention all of this and enquire re. physio.
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