When will my upper arm feel normal after mastectomy with axillary clearance?

Hi Abbydog,
welcome to this forum , I’m sure others will jump on with some ideas.
I would contact your breast care nurse and have a chat, she may be able to recommend someone.
I have regular massages by a lymphatic masseuse which helps with my arm swelling and tightness, Daily stretches and exercises as well as dry brushing before showering, swimming is really good as well.
There are some physiotherapists that specialise in cording and Lymphoedema .
Your breast care nurse can guide you and can give you recommendations of specialists in your area.
Good luck. Xx

Hi @Abbydog My mx and anx clear was Nov 2018. My upper arm still feels swollen and numb. It is normal size. I have gotten used to the feeling. Putting on deodorant is always an interesting exercise though. I usually overdo it as I can’t feel it going on and end up with it dripping wet. I now apply it in front of a mirror. There is a lot of things they don’t tell you prior to your treatments. Unfortunately we have to learn as we go. Just as well we have this forum, it has been a mind saver for me.

Hi @Abbydog
Nerve endings do get mashed about a bit in an axillary clearance so some short term swelling and numbness is pretty common. Like @Blossom1961, I had difficulty with roll on deodorant as my armpit clearly belonged to someone else. It’s improved with time, but a bit of feeling loss seems permanent - doesn’t affect anything although if I used hot wax I’d have to be careful, hot or cold does not register very well. But cording or any short term fluid retention may be helped by a lymphoedema therapist. Best wishes.

Thanks @Abbydog for bringing this up and others for your feedback. I had double mastectomy and ancillary clearance last Thursday and there is certainty a mixture of numbness, swelling and possibly some nerve pain in my upper arm. I gather it will take time to settle. I expect there is fluid retention too and I notice weird sensations / small spasms in around the ancillary area and upper back. 

To Mags44 
The other thing I hadn't been warned of prior to surgery was seromas. Apparently quite common, but very annoying.
They eventually resolve. I had mine aspirated 5 times, over the first 7 weeks post Op. I'm told there are wide variations in frequency and duration of seromas.

My right mastectomy and clearance was 8 months ago and I still have residual numbness, upper right arm especially going around the outside and back of the arm and near the scar area while some of the immediate numbness and stranger feelings did eventually resolve. I don’t notice it much now as I got used to it!

My BS said Pre op this was going to be unavoidable, but should not affect range of movement etc. I had seroma formation that settled reasonable quickly and cording that came on suddenly 6-8 weeks post op when on the red devil. Apparently the inflammation from the chemo is a factor.

Big hugs Tinks xx

You said that you have had it assessed by a physio - is this someone who specialises in lymphoedema?  If not, find one who does.  The tightness you describe could be an early symptom or it could just be the way your arm feels now.  This is something you will have to get used to.  However, do see the physio about cording, regardless.

I’d just like to echo @Sister re specialist physio. My BS sent me as soon as I noticed cording and I have needed treatment for that since then. That was not related to the residual numbness issue though.

Tinks xx

Hey @Abbydog I know what you mean, there is fluid starting to build and and that tightness is there. As others have highlighted I think it’s a good idea to see a physio who specialises in this. I saw my surgeon yesterday for general post surgery check-up and he said everything looked ok but I need to do my post surgery exercises so that is a wake call for me.

I hope you can get the help and advice you need.

Best wishes

The physio that I have been seeing specialises in Lymphodema and uses Physio massage and Laser therapy. The Zozo measurement is supposed to gauge lymphodema and it's progress. 
Thanks foe everyone's advice.