I had a WLE and SNB last September and then rads last Dec/Jan. Everything appears to have healed up well but I still get breast discomfort from the surgery, especially if I do anything strenuous. I would have thought it would be ok by now. Did anyone else have this problem?
I am seeing my surgeon for a follow-up appt in June and will ask. I am not suggesting there is anything wrong as such, but I just wondered if I am unusual.
Ann x
I don;t think it is unusual - I still get occasional stabbing pains from WLE last November, and occasional itching. The itch worries me as that was my original symptom, but I have had various scans for other issues and they are all clear. It’s odd isn’t it - to go on for so long?
My timeline was very similar and I’m fine but I do have small boobs, small lump (9mm) and wear an exceptionally rigid sports bra but run and horse ride fine.
I’m 14 months on from surgery and though I don’t have discomfort as such, I still have odd sensations from the nerve re-attachment from lymph node removal. There’s a patch on my boob that registers touch at the back of my armpit, where it’s almost completely numb. How wierd is that!
Plus I still get a little cracking of the nipple from the radiotherapy if I forget to moisturise.
I guess all these things take a while to settle.
Hi Ann
I had wle in feb 08 and rads in april/may 08. I still get stabbing pains from the rads and that breast is much more tender than the other one, still cant lye on front. I think its more from rads than the surgery and bcn says it may always be tender. Annual mammo on that breast is hell!
Obviously everyone is different so hopefully yours may not last too long.
Lauren
oh no, im going for my first mammo next Tuesday and I have been having nightmares about it, my bad boob is so tender and sore and the thought of it being clamped in that bloody machine just scares me, totally dreading the whole experience and doesnt help that 1st June when I get it done was when I was diagnosed last year!!! how thoughtful of them to invite me for my mammo on that date as if I needed reminding!!!
Carol xx
Thanks, ladies. I don’t get stabbing pains, it is more of an ache (which may be due to rads) and also tenderness when I lie on my side, as that was where the lump was.
I have always found mammograms excruciatingly painful and I am no wimp. I put it down to being on HRT and was hoping that they may not be as bad since stopping. My first one since dx will be around Aug/Sept, so I shall find out then.
I have just returned from my GP, who carries out minor surgery. I had a lipoma (fatty lump) removed from my hip. Piece of cake, compared with my WLE/SNB!!!
Ann xx
i stil get breast pain- stabbing type, and achy. I had my surgeries in Sept/Oct last year, then FEC, and rads March/April this year.
i find it worse if i try to carry anything too heavy- like a full watering can. Was told by the rads team that breast tissue takes ages to recover from surgery/rads
eva
Hi Ann and Eva my ‘timeline’ is close to yours op Nov. 10 and yes I also get tenderness , itching plus stabbing pains all around the boob. I still am of the opinion that Tamox. is still in my system . Do get v. tender around node site and often cannot lay on that side at night.
seeing surgeon on June 9th so it will be interesting to hear what he has to say. Abit 'Jack the Lad ’ so don’t hold out for any help - nice piece of surgery though! Did think once I’D healed all this would be over but it is dragging on a bit. Sx
Hi lazydaisy. How are you now, after your episode? My appt with my surgeon is also on 9th June.
eva-nicole - Yes, it is when I carry heavy things or have gone a bit over the top with the pruning. It then lasts for a couple of days. Interesting what you were told about rads.
Ann xx
Hi Ann - oh so slowly - went out for a walk around the local RSPB lodge , wanted to put myself into a bit of a training prog. well at least to give myself a benchmark for how fit ( or not) I am and really over did it - stupid , very stupid 3k and a slow incline was a step too far brought back all the memories not a good place to be. Really a bit skittish about any permanent lung damage ( really thinking some old Anglo Saxon words right now). Come so far since dx and stuff it up - really thinking it’s my own fault because if I’d read the signs on the Saturday and Sunday I might not be in this pickle now. Honestly Ann it makes the Cancer recede into the distance !! sorry for winging that will teach you !! Stephanie XX
Thanks Eva - Nichole I didn’t realise that either !
My surgery was late Nov 08 and I finished rads in March 09. I still get the occasional stabbing pains, which started after rads, but much less frequently now. I also get occasional itching, Finty, and for no obvious reason. Like you, Ann, I find that if I do anything particularly strenuous I get discomfort at the surgery site. It happens if I’ve pushed my mother in her wheelchair for any distance - especially if we’ve gone uphill.
I’ve had my 1 year mammogram (in November) and I took painkillers before it. It was not a pleasant experience but in the end it wasn’t as bad as I had feared.
Eliza xx
Following on from a couple of comments about how long it takes for breast tissue to recover from rads…
I have an appointment to see my surgeon in July as I have an area of fibrosis & a skin adhesion where the tumour was (apparently just bad luck on my part) and I can have some corrective surgery. However, this can’t be until at least a year after I finished rads because the blood vessels need at least that time to recover.
Hi
I still get pains and discomfort 14 months after surgery and a year after rads finished. My surgeon told me it can take a year for everything to settle down - especially after rads.
I have developed mild lymphodema in the breast but not where I get the stabbing pains.
Lynn
stabbing pains are usually as a result of radiation therapy, however approx 25% of women will continue have breast pain (not the stabbing type) beyond 1 year from surgery and about 5% will continue to have pain at 5 years.
if your worried get it checked but once you know what it is then you tend to relax a bit, but if you get any new symptoms always mention it and get it checked out first…
i have pain (and a very annoying itch) in my right breast from WLE 4 years ago and milder tenderness (but no itch thank god) in my left breast which is 1 year from WLE.
Lx
Hi Ladies
Have any of you noticed any aches and pains in your back and ribs after doing anything strenuous? I did my first bit of manual labour at the weekend (up a ladder trying to help other half stick down the felt on the shed roof!) and my back and arm ached all the rest of the afternoon. It’s gone off now but it worried me a bit afterwards.
Phillippa x
Hi
I started a similar thread yesterday as I had a WLE (very small area compared to most, I am told) and rads April 2008. Hurt a bit during rads, then nothing much. Recently, it has been really painful with the stabbing type of pains. It comes and goes which makes me hopeful nothing sinister and I can’t really identify where exactly the pain is coming from.
I don’t get stabbing pains, it’s more of an ache if I do anything mildly strenuous.
Phillipa - I find I can ache anywhere if I do anything strenuous, like gardening. I think it is the low oestrogen. If it has gone now, it is probably nothing to worry about. It has just turned our bodies into those of 80 year olds!
Ann x
Cathy - What was your other thread called?
Ann x