Forum Discussion
Neuropathy and Numbness
For those of you further down the path and more experienced than me, I have 2 questions that I'm hoping I can get some info on.
1. Wearing bras and numbness under the arm post-mastectomy. I am really struggling with wearing a bra nearly 3 months after surgery. I got a new one a couple of days ago which is much better than others but it still leaves me feeling sore and bruised on my side under the arm. Does this get any better?
2. Has anyone experienced neuropathy in the hands and/or feet on AC (Docyrubicin and Cyclophosmamide)? I'm getting slight pins & needles sensations in my foot and possibly in my fingers, although the fingers might be imaginary. I thought it was taxol that was the culprit for neuropathy. However, the sensation could also be because I've aggravated a pre-existing lower back complaint. (I supervised my daughter and her friends on a hike last Monday because I thought that just because I could walk 5km on a gently incline, I could also do another 5km that day through steep terrain. Stupid! I thought I was going to get die. Did wonder whether I would need to call the ambulance or CFS to get me out which if I had, would have been the 3rd incident that afternoon in the same area! I did get back down but it left me feeling quite ill and with some back and hip pain which could be causing the sensation in my foot.) I will report it to my oncologist on Thursday but just wondered what others experiences have been.
1. Wearing bras and numbness under the arm post-mastectomy. I am really struggling with wearing a bra nearly 3 months after surgery. I got a new one a couple of days ago which is much better than others but it still leaves me feeling sore and bruised on my side under the arm. Does this get any better?
2. Has anyone experienced neuropathy in the hands and/or feet on AC (Docyrubicin and Cyclophosmamide)? I'm getting slight pins & needles sensations in my foot and possibly in my fingers, although the fingers might be imaginary. I thought it was taxol that was the culprit for neuropathy. However, the sensation could also be because I've aggravated a pre-existing lower back complaint. (I supervised my daughter and her friends on a hike last Monday because I thought that just because I could walk 5km on a gently incline, I could also do another 5km that day through steep terrain. Stupid! I thought I was going to get die. Did wonder whether I would need to call the ambulance or CFS to get me out which if I had, would have been the 3rd incident that afternoon in the same area! I did get back down but it left me feeling quite ill and with some back and hip pain which could be causing the sensation in my foot.) I will report it to my oncologist on Thursday but just wondered what others experiences have been.
21 Replies
- @Sister it took ages before my bras stopped hurting me, about 10 months or so. Try target for soft, wire free bras. Many have a pocket which is for a removable cup mold but yoy can put your prosthetic in it. Also try buying in a size or two bigger. It won't support quite as well but won't cut in as much. My lower back/hip is giving me hell atm and I'm getting sciatic pain down one leg with mild pins and needles sensation in the foot. My oncol thinks it's most likely tamoxifen flaring up aches and pains but he wants to do scans in two weeks if it's not getting better just to make sure it's nothing more sinister. Definitely worth a mention to your oncol. Mine told me he's confident it's nothing but his job to make sure. Good luck with it all. It's the pits.
- I found I had to do a bit of retraining to toletate a bra again. I did have terrible nerve pain after surgery and node biopsy and went on lyrica for about 3 weeks. The physio suggested gentle stroking of the affected area to help desensitize it. Well it worked. I really had to wear a post op bra for around 12 months but that was also with reconstruction. I know I just kept changing bras throughout the day as they all put pressure somewhere different. As I had my reconstruction at time of mastectomy I had to wear a bra 24/7 for 3 weeks. I often changed bras throughout the night even for same reason. My sister also sewed petticoat fabric along elastic lines for me as it really irritated my scars. That really helped.
As to neuropathy...it's normally even in both feet and if hands in both too...so if just one sided it might be something else. But let your oncologist know regardless. - I might have to try the bikini tops. Haven't been doing physio as I've been waiting to get into a programme - the referral has apparently been sent so I have to follow rhat up.
- Hi there @sister. Have you started your physio yet? I know that helped me heaps. Otherwise what about a bikini top? Or. Perhaps a tankini top? I had pockets sewn into my tankini top. Might be worth a try? I found physio weekly was the go and I did the exercises recommended during the week and I still get the nerve pain under the arm but it’s not as bad. Also I got the neuropathy pain in my hands but not until i started the taxol. Again ask your physio about this too. I only had it in my hands and it’s pretty much non existant now thank fuck. Let me know how you go love. Margie xx
- Yep, got those. And I've tried taking the wires out of my old ones. I'm just hoping the nerves will improve still.
- have you tried the Ahh Bras ... @primek can you tell Sister about these ...sorry ladies flat here and happy with no tits
- I've tried all sorts @"Kiwi Angel"band they all leave me feeling sore if I have one on for more than an hour. I wouldn't bother if I wasn't lopsided!
- @Sister - I’m 3 weeks post op single mastectomy and I still have a numb armpit and a little bit further up round the back of my arm - it is improving on a daily basis though. I have so far been wearing the post op bra they gave me or if I want to go for a walk the amenoa exercise bra is good. Today worse just a normal soft fabric bra with underwire and no insert (managed to hold in my boob and it didn’t fall out
- No I'm not hip-hop definitely - hoping is what it was supposed to be!
- @SoldierCrab That's what I'm hiphop.
