Forum Discussion

Sister's avatar
Sister
Member
8 years ago

Neuropathy?

After the recent partial surgery, I started getting what felt like friction rubbing in the crease of my armpit.  I put it down to rubbing from the Berlei bra.  It hasn't gone away in 2 weeks - better when there's nothing against it, including skin, but if there's any friction, I have to wear some sort of static padding against it.  There has never been any broken skin and only some redness in that first couple of days.  I have got complete skin numbness in the area behind it and almost to the elbow.  The surgeon on Friday suggested it might be neuropathy.

A long explanation but my question is: is there anything I can do to alleviate the pain?  I'm going back in for further surgery tomorrow but I don't know whether it's likely that it will still be there after that, have disappeared or be worse.  And honestly, it's been the one physical thing that is making me miserable (apart from not being allowed to go swimming!)

7 Replies

  • Payne's avatar
    Payne
    Member
    8 years ago
    Hi @Sister, I'm fourteen months post surgery. 9 months post chemo and nearly 8 months post radio.  I am completely numb underarm and partially numb on arm, half breast and eating to shoulder.  My surgeon said the numbness was due to damage to medial nerve during surgery and should improve.  It only improved slightly on arm.  I get these funny tingling, itchy and sometimes stabbing pain under arm and on breast, and nothing relieved it.  I recently started using a magnet attached to my bra close to scar tissue and found that relieves it somewhat.  I didn't know it could have been acerbated by the chemo ( I was on docetaxol).  If so, does that mean it could still improve?
  • Karen_C1's avatar
    Karen_C1
    Member
    8 years ago
    Hi I have permanent neuropathy now as I have had continuous drug therapy for 11 years.  I have been on many combinations of chemotheraphy.  I think the main offender was Taxol which I had many infusions over 6 years.   What I am finding now is my feet are numb but also get nerve pain which can feel like heat or a tingling sensation.   I am now on Lyrica to help with my nerve damage.    Ask your doctor, but usually symptoms do settle after surgery but it can take time as nerves take a long time to rejunvenate.  I know when I had my initial surgery, I was numb for a very long time under my right arm.   I had a lumpectomy and axillary lymph node dissection.
  • lrb_03's avatar
    lrb_03
    Member
    8 years ago
    Immediately after my surgery,  I was put on gabapentin for a week. Whilst I did have numbness, I never had any pain from it. On the down side, my axilla is still numb, just over 2 years out from surgery. I remember hearing at one stage that the sensation you have at around 1 year post surgery is likely to be what you'll be left with. This was pretty accurate for me
    Take care, Lyn
  • Mollygirl's avatar
    Mollygirl
    Member
    8 years ago
    LOL yep lots of pink !  Although I got two pale purple ones for my mastectomies!  Def check with your nurse - would some regular panadol help - try it if you haven't - I kniw its only paracetamol but regularly taken might give you some relief??? X
  • Sister's avatar
    Sister
    Member
    8 years ago
    Thanks  - the numbness is yucky to touch but apart from that (and not being able to shave under my arms 'cos I can't feel it) that doesn't worry me.  It's the constant burning at the front that is driving me insane.  I will ask the nurses when I'm back in.  I have the cushion (why is everything pink?) and it has been the only way I can sleep.
  • Mollygirl's avatar
    Mollygirl
    Member
    8 years ago
    Hi @Sister, did you gave nodes out?  The nerves get stretched around the lymphatic system when interfered with. Nerves are notoriously slow to heal unfortunately. Gentle two finger massage over the area if you can stand it, touching the area is good (I kniw it feel yuck over the numbness) water from you shower head to stimulate it. Have a chat to the nurses while you in for next surgery for a good pain relief regime. Back of my arm is still numb many months on and I still get occasional discomfort - it's just slow. 
    Oh and do you have one of the breast post op cushions??? Xxoo
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    8 years ago
    Numbness and/or an unusual sensation after surgery is not unusual, and yes, it may well be caused by damaged nerves, but I have not experienced any pain from that cause. My armpit was very numb and has gradually returned to something like normal. As more surgery is scheduled soon, you may have to wait until that is completed and see what the situation is but I would certainly be asking for more information about cause and alleviation of symptoms. Nerve damage can improve over time.