Hi, just wondered how long it will be for my arm to be normal again?After surgery which was 3 weeks ago i have still got alot of pain in my arm. it went completely numb all under my arm right down to my elbow wasnit expecting that! I have stared to get some feeling back, can actually feel my elbow now and i am doing the exercises still but the numbness is getting me down, and the pain.its strange how can i feel pain when its numb, i know i am to expect some pain and discomfort and i still cannot sleep on that side, i thought i had another lump but turns out to be scar tissue though i worried i have bc again but couldnt have grown that quick i realise! but just would like to know how long has it taken everyone else to get full use of arm and no numbness and no pain. I had WLE and aux node clearance.
Many thanks Shar xx
I had a mx and four nodes out mid-October and would say my arm is 80% back to normal for me (as in had a shoulder issue beforehand which the physios were fixing slowly). Numbness now just in the armpit itself and still some odd aches in the upper arm. Still don’t roll over at night but have a port on that side so more probably the reason by now.
Had what I would say was nerve pain for a couple of months on the back of the arm, like a sensitivity that didn’t want clothes against it IYKWIM. And cording too that took about the same time but gone now.
Patience :/…
Hi shar,
It’s still early days for your arm to feel odd, I had WLE and snb in Oct, and the back of my arm is still numb and tingly, still slightly uncomfortable when I lie on that side, so don’t worry too much. The tingly pain sensation is probably the nerve endings knitting back together.
Hope that helps, take care x
Thank you both, i appreciate your replies, just was a shock at first when the next day went to wash and could not even feel it felt plastic but hurt, surreal feeling! I will just remain patient but sometimes the pain worries me, its like stinging and ripping kinda pain. i expect the aches due to exercise and i know im prob rushing it as do alot of exercises and try to use as normal but it just feels so bruised… Thanks again, this site is like a lifeline for me cos i can communicate with like minded people and it does help xxx
HI Shar
I had mastectomy and full node clearance back in August. It took me 5 weeks to get back to driving and even now the arm still feels a bit “weird”. In some places it still feels numb and some days I actually have a little pain, but overall I use the arm like I used to before surgery. I was told by the surgeon that it can take a while before you feel the arm normal again, especially if you’ve had full node clearance. This because they have to cut the nerve to get to your upper nodes and the nerve has to find its way round again after surgery.
I understand the way you feel as I felt exactly the same as you 3 weeks after surgery and thought I’d never drive again! Well, pleased to say that it will get better, give it 2 weeks and you’ll start using your arm as before and even sleep on it 
Things will improve as it’s such early days yet. I had a mastectomy and full axillary clearance and it took about 6 weeks or so before I could raise my arm fully. Gradually the pain subsided. At first I was terrified of anyone accidentally knocking my arm as it was so painful to touch.
Depending on the amount of surgery and nerves that were cut you may find that you are left with some residual numbness. The back of my arm from just above the elbow to the shoulder is numb but I had a lot of surgery. It honestly doesn’t bother me now as it isn’t painful, or tingling or anything else.
Give it some time and try not to worry too much. Your body needs to go through its healing process. Doing all the exercises really does make a huge difference.
take care, Elinda x
Hi Silvershar
The ripping pain and sensation is incredible. As I raised my arm I would look at the arm expecting to see it ripped open and dripping with blood. That sensation does go, so does the feeling that you have a ball of socks under your arm. However my arm is still numb at the back 5years on and I still have to stretch out and exercise to keep the arm fully mobile.
Suffering at the moment because I had 5 year mammogram last Thursday and the radiotherapist dragged me around the machine so much I could hardly lift my arm when I got home. Treating nerve damage with St John’s Wort oil they gave me at the Haven.
Keep up the physio it’s very important for full mobility.
Kind regards
Chinook
Hi Shar,
I had surgery March and April last year.I still get occasional sharp pains but mostly after exercise,my armpit and back of arm to elbow remains numb with what I can only describe as a “heavy feel”.
If I dont exercise I really notice the upper arm and shoulder stiffening but as long as I keep mobile its not a problem.
It will get easier soon,3 weeks post surgery I thought I would never be free of pain but it passes.
Take care.
Traceyx
Hi
I had mx, sentinel node and radiotherapy almost a year ago. I found the whole thing very painful (long story). I echo what everyone has said about the exercises - but it really did need expert guidance from a physio, not just a leaflet. Don’t know about evryone else, but I still wonder whether I exercised too much in the first few days, in view of all the problems with seromas, but I’m no expert in this at all. Find doing them now effective and understandable.
So 12 months on- quite a bit of the numbness has gone, the aching is better. The “lump feeling” in the armpit only noticeable when I’m tired - and I’m wearing a bra most of the day. I do take painkillers but not the heavy duty stuff I was on last year, So yes, it does get better! And if it doesn’t, don’t suffer in silence! The helpline here was very good. Best wishes. K x
muchas gracias por
thank you all so much for your comments, very helpful and inspirational re amount of time, only 3 weeks for me, dont want the pain and numbness to go on that long but at least its normal that it has, like the likeness to rolled up socks, thats it exactly!!! i will keep exercising, drove a little but what about insurance, am i covered to drive? live in the country so felt quite isolated as could not just get in car and drive, now i go into nearest town but thats all i can manage and i need to do more as work is 17 miles away! St Johns Wort what is that and whats the Haven please?
Cyber hugs and lots of thanks this website really is a godsend and i thank you all for sharing with me, what about arm feeling ~“tight” its like it gonna explode, and i agree re expecting to see it dripping with blood it felt at first like been stung by 100 bees!Shar xx
forgot to ask, whats “cording”? please?xx
under my arm in armpit half back to normal and elbow not numb anymore worse numbness and pain is back of arm between shoulder and elbow feels numb tight and so cold, keeping it heated with bottle as really soothes it and try to rub it try and boost circualtion…
Hi silvershar
You will find information about cording and other possible effects of surgery in our publication ‘Your operation and recovery’ which you can read here:
Best wishes
Lucy
Hello again.
Just popping back in to say, it will take time but it will improve. The helpline is well worth a call, because they really listen and help you understand. The BC nurse at your hospital is only a phone call away. I asked loads of questions, and did get help for all of this. Some nice people on here had some good pointers. Take care of yourself.
I had a right mx in Feb 2010 and afterwards had real weakness in my right arm almost immediately…
It continued and the exercises got harder and harder to maintain and I gave up!
Later I had to endure six months physiotherapy for weakness in arm and shoulder and cording through the breast… Eventually I did get to reach up fully and not feel the horrid cording when I stretched wide, but it did take a very long time for me.
The moral of this story is really to participate in the exercises fully as often as possible. It really will pay dividends!
Please don’t follow my example…
Unfortunately after a few months of normality at the end of 2010 I broke the same arm in December so it feels pretty weak again…
I’m sure with time you will feel less painful but it is early days as yet!
Hi Silvershar
Sorry about the delay answering your questions about my post.
* St John’s wart oil. Apparently it is good for healing the nerves. It’s also a very common anti depressant. So rubbing it into boob might help it heal but it also keeps it happy! It is also available as a tea!! But only 4 bags a day is allowed according to my doctor. (Not sure if that’s drinking or smoking it).LOL
*The Haven. My life saver. Its a charity run place I heard about on here which supports people with BC and their carers. There is one in Leeds and a couple more around the country.I have had acupuncture, counselling, deep relaxation and access to a herbalist (hence St Jon’s Wart oil). It can be found on the tinternet. Just put the Haven into Google. Sorry can’t do links etc.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Chinook
P.S. I’m rubbing oil into completly heald skin so check that out before you try.