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Casjsa's avatar
Casjsa
Member
12 years ago

Lymph node arm swelling question

Can anyone tell me how long it takes for your arm to be fully operational after lymph node removal?  I only had two sentinal nodes removed but my underarm is numb, my arm aches at times and I have swelling on my torso under my arm.  Not fluid, it isn't squishy (well I don't think so).  My arm gets very tired very quickly so I tend to try and do a lot of things with my left hand.  How long can I expect to be like this?

Cas

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  • Robyn_W's avatar
    Robyn_W
    Member
    12 years ago
    Hello Cas,I had 2 sentinel nodes removed just like you,and my mastectomy at the same time.That was 8 weeks ago today.I had the numb feeling under my arm for about 4to5 weeks.It has completely gone now,and I have almost full feeling back across my chest and absolutely no pain.I have done my arm exercises every single day since my surgery,and I am sure this has helped.The exercise that I have found the best is one that my surgeon told me.You stand next to a wall.and walk your fingers up the wall as far as your arm allows without too much pain.When you get as far as u can,hold and count to 5,then walk your fingers back down.I do this between 5 and 10 times each day.It is an easy exercise to do in the shower with hot water running on your back.It makes it easier.A good warm up before u exercise,is to 'shrug' your shoulders about 10 times,slowly.I hope this might help a bit Cas.xoxocheers Robyn.