Same here. Keep taking deep breaths, you can do this xx
Hi, I did it, I canāt believe it, Iām super proud of myself. Thank you for your support
x
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Now lots of rest, fluids, painkillers and naps so you mend well x
Yeah, you did and you absolutely should be! x
Hi, I had my surgery last Monday and am really sore under the arm where I think the lymph node incision is. It feels my support bra is too tight and rubbing, causing friction, and itās just not getting any better. I have a sports bra on which I got fitted at M&S but it feels way too tight. Did anyone have the same issue, and can give any advice? x
Itās probably too tight as thereās normal post op swelling there so you might need to go up a cup sized for a short while. Get a cheap seamless wireless bra to do the job.
Sainsburyās have these if you have one nearby otherwise they come quickly using Argosā delivery system Buy Cottonform⢠Dual Mould Bra 2 Pack 36B | Bras | Tu
In the meantime make sure youāre overlapping paracetamol and ibuprofen to manage the pain. When sitting try resting the elbow on that side on a pillow so itās your arm is away from that area. It will feel better soon.
Hi @karenh
I was just coming on this morning to post similar. I had an op on 18 June to remove all my nodes. When I had the lumpectomy in April they took sentinel nodes and the tumour from one incision on my breast.
This time the incision is where yours is and Iāve been struggling since Friday night. I believe I have a seroma as thereās alot of swelling. Itās tight but not particularly painful but is making me feel miserable. I rang the BCN nurses on here yesterday and theyāve advised I speak to my hospital team tomorrow. I dont know if anyone has any tips for how to cope until then, it feels like I have a tennis ball in my arm pit. Is yours the same?
thank you, I will order these bras. The one I have on is definitely too tight, it feels like itās burning all the time x
When does the pain subside? It throbbed all night in bed, so hard to get comfortable. Iām 6 days in? When I do the shoulder exercises it seems to aggravate the area x
I took paracetamol and ibuprofen as per packet instructions for the first 2 weeks making sure I overlapped them and had ibuprofen at bedtime as it lasts longer than paracetamol. Donāt wait for it to feel sore and do your exercises about 45 mins after taking something.
It gradually improves as the days go on. Getting plenty of rest helps so try napping too. I also found my dressing and paper stitches pulled dreadfully and felt much more comfortable once they were off.
Any concerns at all call your BCN.
Also if itās throbbing try a cool pack. Not ice but put a wet washcloth in a plastic bag and keep it in the fridge. This heat wonāt be helping!
Youāve been amazing, thank you x
Just saying what worked for me x
The pain is unbearable now under my armpit and under my arm at the top, , itās like a burning and throbbing all down my arm. Iām in tears and donāt know what to do
x
Call whatever number youāve been given. Or call 111
Hi @karenh
The pain from lymph surgery can be pretty bad to be fair. I also had a node removed from the top of my thigh years ago and couldnāt walk properly for over a month.
Has it been this painful since the surgery or is this much worse? Plus are you taking any pain relief? x
Hi @karenh
I posted earlier today with the same as what you are experiencing now. I spoke to a nurse yesterday morning and was advised to ring my breast nurse tomorrow. They said to look out for signs - pain, heat, redness as that could be a sign of infection. I dont have them but I have a throbbing ache like you and the tennis ball feeling in my under arm. I have a lot of swelling in my arm pit, extending towards my should blade area so canāt put my arm straight without discomfort. I think i have a seroma which I understand they can drain.
I hope you are ok. Maybe ring 111 for advice if its too painful x
No itās not vern painful since surgery, just the last 24/48 hours. I did google it and it mentions the symptoms are the nerves mending. I have also cut my bra around this area as it was too tight x
Yes, I remember the pain down my underarm felt very much like a very severe sunburn. If I wore anything with close fitting sleeves it felt like glass against my skin! That did start a bit further into the recovery and the area is still very slightly sensitive six months on. Hopefully itās just the healing process, but it might be worth a call to your BCN to put your mind at ease.
Hope you had a better night last night. As @bluetit11 said, the heat certainly wonāt have helped! x
Morning, I had a few hours sleep last night. I will call BCN today as the burning is getting me down, whatever I do I canāt get comfortable. I feel shaky, not sure if thatās the heavy duty painkillers Iāve been taking, but I donāt feel great. Thank you for your continued support x