Under arm discomfort
Under arm discomfort Hi all,
Hope everyone is bearing up whilst coping with this ‘interruption’ in our lives. I have just been looking at the previous thread about the sensations following removal of lymph nodes and found it really helpful.
I had a WLE and lymph node removal on 8 June and my clips were removed on Tuesday 19, but the pain and discomfort under my left arm is really getting me down. When removing the clips, the breast care nurse said I had a little swelling and advised against doing the exercises, but now I am worried that this will impede my recovery. I am due to see the consultant on 3 July for the results, so unless it gets worse, I think I will wait to see him and take his advice; does anyone have experience of this?
Kind thoughts to all,
Elizabeth xx
Hello Elizabeth
I had my WLE and axillary node clearance last December and had a lot of discomfort - both with my WLE scar and my underarm. However I was advised to continue with the exercises throughout which I did - not too many but perhaps 2 or 3 times a day.
I also had a seroma under my arm - tennis sized ball of lymph which cannot find a way out. The breast care nurse told me to leave it as it would find its own way out in a couple of weeks but when I saw the surgeon for my follow up he said it had to be aspirated . He aspirated it straightaway (he stuck a syringe in and drew off the fluid - quite painless and a great relief). However it filled up again very quickly. He told me to go back if necessary and altogether it had to be aspirated 4 times before it settled down.
However I must say even now 6 months later my underarm is still not terribly comfortable. I’m still doing the exercises.
Hope you feel better soon. If you think you may have a seroma you could try contacting the breast nurse again to see if they will aspirate it. And if you are worried - call her anyway - that is what they are paid for - so don’t hesitate to pick up the phone.
Love Anthi
for Anthi Thanks for that Anthi. I am sorry to hear that you are still experiencing discomfort, I suppose our bodies are all different and react in different ways. I do hope you find relief soon.
I will keep an eye on matters and try to do a few light exercises without straining too much, I think that would be the compromise.
Love to all,
Elizabeth x
Hi Elizabeth
Understand completely what you mean by the discomfort. Had sentinel node biospy (4 nodes removed) in April and then axillary clearance 3 weeks later - both times I felt very uncomfortable. It may well be you have a seroma (apparently it happens to 1 in 4 women) and having it aspirated is painless and relieves the pressure a lot. Think you should talk to your breast care nurse.
I was advised to continue with exercises, but to be careful not to overdo it - so listen to your body, but it makes sense to exercise if you can. I am feeling much more comfortable now, so hang in there it does get better, although I understand some of the nerve damage can be permanent it is liveable with.
Have you had your results yet? If not best of luck.
Sunny x
Hi Elizabeth, i had about four lymphs removed last week, it really is painful and as i go for my results on Monday i will be asking why i have what looks like a thick vein under my arm which was not there prior to surgery, its really difficult to move my arm, i have had some swelling and that seems to move, very strange! also, the back of my arm though numb is really painful to the touch, have you had that as well? i have to go for my next op next friday for my mascectomy and recon, it doesn’t feel like enough time between ops.
lots of love
Alison
Hi Elizabeth, had my results yesterday and i had had nine lymphs taken out, and luckily for me they have tested negative, but i had to have the fluid drained from under my arm yesterday, it has given some relief but it is so sore, and not just under my arm, but at the back of my arm too, this started as being very numb, now it just feels really painful when it comes into contact with anything, even clothes, my consultant has told me this is normal, still makes me feel yuk though, thought that it would get a little better, but it just seems to get a little worse, anyway, got my masectomy and recon on friday this week, so i will wait till then and they can either drain it again, as its filled up again, before or during surgery.
lots of love and hugs
Alison
Discomfort Hi, I had a mastectomy and lymph node removal, fourteen in total, on 30 May, about four weeks ago now. I have to agree with most on here that the discomfort and pain are getting me down. I have developed a ‘cord’ underneath my arm and across my arm pit which is making it worse but could of been worse and extended down my arm and I sometimes wish he had taken my arm too!
On the ‘bright’ (!) side I am no longer having to have fluid drained because the scar tissue has settled on the breast wall, quite sore as I am/was small breasted and that has tightemed a lot but exercise does help with this and I am also back at work which takes my mind off things. I have the joys of chemo to look forward to next. The first couple of weeks were certainly the worst but little by little things do improve and once you have your strength back it makes you more able to deal with things. Having the drains removed was a plus.
I’m not sure about ‘not’ doing any exercise but I am sure they have there reasons for telling you this, too much exercise will increase fluid I believe, so don’t be tempted to do too much as you are only just getting over the surgery. I was out within 24 hours of surgery and thought I was fine until I forgot the drain and nearly pulled it out, then thought it was OK to peg washing out , big mistake! In short, too much, too soon . Give ourself a little time and take care.
Thanks to all of you for your comments.
Saw the consultant on Tuesday, cancer all gone, 7 lymph nodes taken were clear and blood clear too - Yippee!
Waiting to see oncologist as it is still advised that I have chemo, hormone and radiotherapy but I’ll see what he says and make a decision based on that.
Under arm is getting a little better, still stiff and taut muscle viewable, but the consultant said ‘forget the exercises now’ just use arm normally.
To all awaiting results ‘good luck’ and to those in recovery ‘continued improvement’.
Lots of love, Elizabeth.
Hi Elizabeth,
Great News that your arm is getting better. I had a couple of lymph nodes removed last week and underarm is sensitive - was worried about this until I read your notes. I was told it could be the nerve endings being disturbed during surgery. It is good to hear that it gets better.
I get my results 12th Jul and, like you, will take it from there.
Good luck
Tracy xx
Hi to all,
Very useful to read everyone’s comments about their own experience with regard to the ‘under arm’ problem. I now have more sensation in the whole area, although as Alison says, it can feel both numb and painful at the same time. I have now developed a little ‘cording’ in the crook of my elbow when I extend my arm, it is very painful and looks unpleasant. However, one of the ladies I was in hospital with had this as well and she was advised to gently rub hand or body lotion into the effected area. I have tried this and do believe it has helped. So if anyone is having similar problems, you may wish to try this for relief.
I have an appointment to see the oncologist 19 July to discuss treatment. I just want to get it over with and get on with my life; I’m getting married in August, so want to have an idea of what I am facing i.e. will I still have hair on the big day?
Kind thoughts to all,
Elizabeth xxx 
xxx
Elizabeth
What a bummer of timing - you looking forward to your wedding and now this. Really hope all goes well with treatment. I suppose the oncologist will be able to clarify treatment. I know the kind of chemo I will be starting next week will make my hair fall out but I’ve met with the wig folks and found the porducts surprisingly realistic.
All the same my thoughts are with you - my wedding anniversary is the day after I start chemo and I felt a bit cheated so I really feel for you with your ‘Big Day’ coming up.
Good Luck
MuddyXX
Thanks, Muddy.
Enjoy your anniversary in whatever way you can and don’t let this spoil it for you.
Am apprehensive about this pm’s appointment, but know I will feel better when I have more information about the treatments.
Good to hear about the wigs, although I may go with the scarf look, if necessary. I’ll worry about that when the time comes.
Keep your chin up, one of my colleagues is going through the chemo thing, and is now halfway through, feeling much more positive and has just heard she does not need radiotherapy, so there’s always some good news somewhere!
Kind thoughts, Elizabeth xxxx
I HAD SURGERY ON THE 20TH JUNE I HAD TUMOURS FROM MY BREAST REMOVED AND 19 NYMPH GLANDS 4 OF WHICH WERE POSITIVE. I GET PAIN UNDER MY ARM AND IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE IS DRAGGING A HOT FAG DOWN MY ARM EVERY TIME ITS TOUCHED.ALSO MY ARMPIT IS STILL NUMB
CAN SOMEONE TELL ME IF ITS OK TO STILL USE A RAZOR TO SHAVE YOUR ARMPIT I HEARD YOU SHOULDNT BUT HAIR REMOVAL CREAM DOESNT WORK ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS
Hello Tracey
I was told not to take a razor anywhere near that armpit for at least 2months.
In my case because I started chemo a month after my surgery the problem solved itself as I lost most of my body hair. For the bits which didn’t fall out I got my boyfriend to very carefully cut them off !
Good luck
Love Anthi
THANKS FOR REPLYING I WAS ACTUALLY TOLD BY ANYONE NOT TO BUT I HAD HEARD ITS WASNT A GOOD IDEA DID THEY SAY WHY YOU SHOULDNT USE A RAZOR THOUGH
Hi
I was told that a razor would not be a good idea longterm - think it is to do with risk of cutting? Maybe not. I used one of those electric razors with a fine mesh and it seems to work ok - I really do not like the hairy look - may look ok on Julia Roberts but really doesn’t do it for me.
MAYBE I WILL BUY ONE OF THOSE THEN THANKS LIKE YOUR SENSE OF HUMOUR
Hi to all,
Saw onc 19 July, gave me all sorts of options, ie I don’t have to have chemo but it’s on offer as my cancer was grade 3. Rad and hormone will be done it’s just whether I choose to go for chemo. It’s great to be given all the stats but I don’t feel qualified to use them, let alone make a decision which could effect the rest of my life and if the breast care nurse says to me one more time “it’s all part of the process” I SHALL SCREAM! Sorry about that,feel better for that outburst.
The chemo gives a 1-2% increased chance of the cancer not recurring so it seems a small benefit for putting up with the side effects. Is this daft?
Hello again Tracy. They didn’t actually say what the reasons are for not using a razor under that arm but I assumed it was just the risk of cutting. I shall probably also buy an electric razor if my underarm hair ever comes back following chemo !
Hello again Elizabeth. I was told chemo would give me only 4% extra chance of non recurrence. I decided to have the chemo… I thought that if the cancer did come back then I would know that I had tried everything that was offered.
Good luck everyone
Love Anthi x