I have grade 2 Idc and after a snb 1 of 2 lymph nodes showed a micro bit. I am now waiting to have a mastectomy as the two WLe weren’t good enough for margins.
I am terribly worried about this nagging back ache I have. It’s sort of under my shoulder blade and is worse during the day but much better at night. It’s been much worse since my ops. They said one micro bit in my lymph glands would be very unlikely to have got very far. But Everytime they say something is unlikely it turns out to be what happens.
Hi Molliana
I’m sorry to read you are feeling so worried.
You might find it helps to phone our Helpline to talk over your fears. They’ll be able to offer you information and support. They will be open again tomorrow (9-5 on weekdays and 10-2 on Saturdays ). The number is 0808 800 6000
Very best wishes
Janet
BCC Moderator
Hi Molliana.
I too have had this pain in my back after dame surgery on 10 Feb and think it’s a muscle thing. Don’t forget that you are not using your two arms in the dame way as before, so your back muscles will be affected, like your shoulders and neck. Everything is connected, unfortunately! There is a song about that I think!! If God forbid, your cancer had spread there, you would get pain 24:7. The fact you are better at night, when you are resting, your muscles, is a good indicator I think. I’m waiting for the results of my WLE and sentinel node removal this Friday, so getting very anxious. Keeping it all crossed. X
Hi Molliana, Just wanted to let you know I have exactly the same thing after my WLE and SNB 6 weeks ago. I still get the pain but is not as bad. I spoke to my surgeon and he reassured me that this was totally normal. Hope that offers a little reassurance xx
Thank you both. I just ache all over. Plus i asked the nurse today whether she thought it was ok that my armpit feels swollen and bruised. I thought she would say it’s just part of the surgery but instead sounded much less positive 
They found a micro bit in my sln and they are going to do a clearance and keep saying it will be fine. But now since the snb it seems the others might have swollen up.
I just can’t stop worrying.
Fuffs123 good luck for Friday x
It’s so unfair that we have to worry over every thing, but it is normal. You are being looked after and it will come right. Do relaxation tapes help, sometimes I can switch off, I love the sound of the ocean. We are all here and send you masses of love xxxxxx
Hi Moliana, Gazzlyn and Fluffs123,
Can be muscular from holding yourself differently or nerve pain post op.
By working my way through painkillers my GP concluded mine was nerve pain just below the shoulder blade. She prescribed Amytriptyline for awhile which did sort it after a few weeks. It does make you sleep for England but did work for me.
So if the pain doesn’t shift consider asking your GP.
Hope the pain shifts for you
Seabreeze
We could all win a gold medal for worrying. I think. If it was an Olympic sport, we’d be a great team! It’s really horrible to feel so powerless and I think that contributes to it all. A friend with BC told me to go with the flow which is probably good advice. I find listening to music or the radio at night if I can’t sleep quite beneficial. Pair of headphones very useful if you don’t want to drive anyone else in the bed mad! X
Amytriptyline is an antidepressant? I was wondering about whether I was more hunched over and spend most of the day hugging myself. Perhaps I will try diazepam tonight x
It is but a key side affect is dealing with nerve pain, hence its use for post op nerve pain. A similar drug sometimes used is Gabapentin which is usually for epilepsy!
Gentle yoga may help too.
Seabreeze
In large doses Amytriptilene used to be prescribed as an anti depressant but has been overtaken by other drugs now. However, in small doses, 10-20 mgd a night, it is very good for controlling nerve pain. I took it for quite a long time for facial pain and it worked well. As Seabreeze says it does make you sleepy which may be no bad thing! Best to start it at the weekend when feeling a nit groggy first thing isn’t so much of a problem. The grogginess does subside after you’ve been taking it for a while. Molliana, so sorry you feel so anxious. Everyone has different after effects from surgery snd a lot of people experience pain. I still am after nearly 3 weeks and had to resort to painkillers in the middle of the night yesterday. Nerve pain is difficult to get under control and depends a lot on your particular physical make up and your surgery, nodes are deeper seated in some people so the surgery is more difficult. Sending you hugs x