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Tanya_C's avatar
Tanya_C
Member
12 years ago

Burning sensation after lymph nodes removed under armpit

I've just had surgery Tram flap and had all my lymph nodes removed under my armpit.  It took about 5 days after surgery for the pain to reveal itsellf. The symptoms are a continous burning feeling under the armpit but also tenderness to the back of my upper arm. I was told by my surgeon that there was a lot of scar tissue and that the sensory nerves were affected in the removal of the fatty sac that contained the lymph nodes.  I would like to know if anyone has experienced this pain and how long has it lasted before it got better. The other pain is sharp shots when I am trying to get changed or moving around.  I have taken painkilers like panadol but they don't do anything to relieve the pain.

Thank you  Tanya xxxx

8 Replies

  • conder41's avatar
    conder41
    Member
    12 years ago
    Thanks Tonya.....I got some pain relief and a hot pack...both of which helped immensely. I had a double masectomy the week prior and the pain from this lymph node surgery far more painful!
  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    12 years ago

    You poor love,just demand some decent pain relief because that underarm pain is terrible.It's probably worse than the mastectomy/lumpectomy cut.You may need a doctor to check it- could be an infection,a haematoma or fluid collecting.Is the area red?Do you have a temp?Keep pressing that buzzer!!

                            sending hugs,Tonya xx

  • conder41's avatar
    conder41
    Member
    12 years ago
    I had lymph node removal 2 days ago and I am still in hospital but have unbearable burning/stinging pain in my upper arm. It doesn't appear to be near my drain site as I thought at one stage I must have pulled the drain out the pain was so bad. Nobody seems to believe me and I don't know what to do but am crying with the pain!
  • Tanya_C's avatar
    Tanya_C
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Laura Julie and Tanya,

    Thank you ladies for responding, it's nice to know I'm not the only one that is experiencing this pain.  Julie I have been taking the Tramadol and Panadol but it doesn't seem to even take the edge off it.  It's wierd I usually have got a good pain threshold but I guess I need to be more patient and as you said Tanya it's all part of the healing process. I'm going to see the breast surgeon today so I'll get her to have a look to see if all is well and Laura I will mention the Lyrica to her maybe that might work better than the Tramadol. It was good to hear that you Laura are feeling much better now, and Tanya I will continue excercising, anything to help the healing.

    Thanks ladies for your helpful advice..

  • lawsdaws's avatar
    lawsdaws
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi

    I had all my left lymph nodes removed nearly 4 weeks ago. I was on Lyrica for nerve pain and constant panadol for 2 weeks....not sure how much it helped as it still felt sore to move my arm. I can pretty much move my arm fully now and it's so much better now the drain is out! I don't have any nerve pain now, just a bit of sore skin on the upper back part of my arm and still numb in my armpit and around the scar tissue.

    Hope you feel better soon

    Laura

  • lawsdaws's avatar
    lawsdaws
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi

    I had all my left lymph nodes removed nearly 4 weeks ago. I was on Lyrica for nerve pain and constant panadol for 2 weeks....not sure how much it helped as it still felt sore to move my arm. I can pretty much move my arm fully now and it's so much better now the drain is out! I don't have any nerve pain now, just a bit of sore skin on the upper back part of my arm and still numb in my armpit and around the scar tissue.

    Hope you feel better soon

    Laura

  • lawsdaws's avatar
    lawsdaws
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi

    I had all my left lymph nodes removed nearly 4 weeks ago. I was on Lyrica for nerve pain and constant panadol for 2 weeks....not sure how much it helped as it still felt sore to move my arm. I can pretty much move my arm fully now and it's so much better now the drain is out! I don't have any nerve pain now, just a bit of sore skin on the upper back part of my arm and still numb in my armpit and around the scar tissue.

    Hope you feel better soon

    Laura