Post op pain

Shan_07

Hi just wanted to hear feedback on post op pain people have following their surgeries. 
I had breast conservation surgery with sentinal node biopsy. Lots of dull pain down my arm all the time and across my chest. Does anyone experience similar? XX 

Blossom1961

Hi @Shan_07 I had anxillery clearance and mastectomy. Discomfort for six months until my osteo worked on it. They have your body in a very unnatural position during surgery and it takes awhile for it to recover. My BC nurse was very dismissive of it when I told her so I buried my head in the sand until I couldn’t take it anymore. Get it looked at now as it will save you the unnecessary pain.

Annie C

Hello @Shan_07
I had a lumpectomy with sentinal node biopsy. I also had a dull aching, burning pain down the right side of my chest and an excrutiating "burning, onfire, ants eating me" pain down the inside of my right arm from shoulder to fingers, bit like being tasered ( not that I have ever been tasered but my policewoman friend has).

I was never warned about this from my surgeon. The pain began about 2 weeks after surgery when I had returned home from Perth. It is now 2 years and the pain comes and goes.

The ongoing pain has been dismissed many times by the medical profession, usually with the comment " unusual, as you had a lumpectomy".

My own research indicates that the brachial nerves along the right side of Miss Perky were severed during surgery and are repairing.

Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy and breast care nurses are very thin on the ground where I live.

arpie

Hi @Shan_07 - how long ago was your surgery?  Mine was breast conserving surgery as well, with sentinel nodes removed.   There is always some discomfort & some numbness with the node removal as it is under your arm & nerves may be affected as well - but as @Blossom1961 says - if it is causing concern, get it checked out.  I didn't get the chest pain tho.

Do you have a 'care plan' with your GP?  You will be able to see an Occupational Therapist, have physio & even see a psychologist if you need to.  Ask your GP about it.

All the best ..... hoping it eases for you soon xx

Sister

My skin was on fire in the axillary area for a little while after surgery.  Now the burning and itching comes and goes but the area remains numb.  I have cording down the arm and also pulling along the scar tissue where apparently it is adhering.  I'm guessing it would hurt more if it wasn't managed.  I see a specialist physio every couple of months although I'm hopeful that I might be able to take a longer break this time.  I don't know if this is similar to what you are experiencing.

Mountains_Girl

Hi Shan_07, I'm wondering how you are going now?  I had the same surgery 15 months ago and on Tamoxifen but no radiotherapy.  My arm pain seemed to get better after 6 months and then around 10 months I began to get a stinging, burning sensation in my arm pit, down arm and into breast, which also has a dull ache.  I've had scans only a few weeks ago and nothing showed up.  I too don't have an answer for my pain as yet.  It's frustrating that's for sure. 

Louise64

I had DCIS right breast lumpectomy and now 3 months later have stabbing or dull
throbbing pain on mid left side of right breast . No idea why now? Radiotherapy 25 sessions now all healed. Surgery scar healed but now this .. only small issue compared to everyone else but just annoying day and night. Any advice appreciated- after diagnosis May 11 am over it.

Afraser

Dear@Louise64
I had a mastectomy not a lumpectomy but it appears that post operative pain (sharp, not an ache) is not unusual. Nerve endings can be damaged and settling scar tissue can also cause problems. I’ve only had a bit of scar tissue discomfort, which has been quickly resolved with massage and stretching. As with anything new (and certainly anything painful) it’s worth getting it checked with your surgeon or oncologist, but there’s a sporting chance it’s annoying but not serious. Best wishes. 

Blossom1961

I had quite a bit of pain after the event. As the numbness disappears, the nerve endings will let you know that they are not happy.