Numb arm!

Hey there!

I had lymph nodes removed last year, it took about 10 months for me to get most of the feeling back in my armpit. I wouldnt say its 100% but honestly, I dont even think about it, doesn't hinder anything at all. Just give yourself time to heal, but what you described is really normal.

Hugs

Melinda

I woke up from surgery in March with numbness across the left side of my rib cage, across half my back, in my armpit and practically my whole breast. Also with a lot of nerve pain.  It gradually settled and just as I thought all was well, along came radiotherapy and the numbness and nerve pain returned and sorry to say, is probably worse than following surgery. I have been assured this is normal and it will settle, but how long will it take? No answer to that. Everyone is different, so talk to your breast nurse. You will find her invaluable.

Best wishes,

San-Dee

I also had a full axillary clearance in Feb. the numbness persists, but I haven't had significant pain in the last few months.  I did develop quite severe cording, however, so keep an eye out for that. It started as more restriction of shoulder range of motion than expected, along with nasty pain on any stretching. Having treatment with a Lymphodema trained Physio has really helped, but I'm still quite restricted with movement & have lovely lumps up & down my arm from wrist to chest wall. Like they say though, at least the cancer is out!!! The numbness is no longer as bad either. Keep positive, your body will heal!

Kristy

I had mastectomy one side and a second surgery for the lymph node clearance. My numbness is right across the chest, under arm and inside the arm down to the elbow. This doesn't mean I don't still get an tingling or occasional sharp pain from out of nowhere. I think it will take a number of years for everything to settle and nerve damage takes absolutely ages to heal by itself. Its annoying but liveable with and beats having cancer.

Hi Naomi, I had auxiliary dissection 26 nodes removed. I still have numbness around the tricep area. Was told it could be like that forever. Getting used to it now.

When you are given exercises, keep them up. It really does help with healing.

Good luck with it all.

Airlie ?? ?? 

Hi Naomi,

I have finished active treatment now, I had a Lumpectomy and Sentinal Node Biopsy with my first surgery and ended up having to have an auxillary node clearance on the 29th July 2015 and I too have total numbness under my left armpit as my surgeon had to sever my nerve and I haven't got the feeling back but on the upside the shooting pains will dissapear soon but I'm not sure about the numbness but your surgeon will know, you are definatly lucky you don't have to have a 2nd surgery unfortunatly I had to have the second surgery but I look back now and it's like wow I made it to the other side of treatment it was a long road and believe me we are stronger than cancer ever will be, with a positive attitude and a smile you can beat this. Sending you a big cuddle, smile and heaps of positive vibes.

Anita xxx

Hi Naomi - I had a lumpectomy and sential node but no auxiliary clearance. You feel better when the drains are out but the numbness can persist. This drove me made for about 6 weeks post op. Could not tolerate any bra with a seam pressing on the area. I still have numbness 4 mths later but it is not uncomfortable . Physio , Panadol and massage do help as well your breast care nurse. Good luck. 

Upper arm...not forearm...lol

I only had a sentinal node biopsy with my mastectomy and 5 months on still have numbness under my armpit  and expect it always will. Initially it became really painful as nerve regeneration occurred under my forearm and on the side of my reconstructed breast...so much so I couldn't touch it. I was started on lyrica which settled it within 2 weeks and after a couple I was able to cease it. My physio also suggested gentle stroking of the weird areas and it did help.. and I still do this now. Kath

The post op pain will calm.down then flate up again and down the road you may have some recurrence...

I have only had sentinal.node removed on 31st March and while I did notnhave a huge amlint of paon post op I found 2 to 4 weeks later mode pain to increase as was advised it was just nerves knitting over... 

Then no pain for a while with some flare ups post chemo sessions and now again 3 months in more flare up... It is not a distressing as I found it to be in the early days. 

Yes it can irritate you but I would speak to the breast vare nurse anout the best way to manage and minimise it... With me she suggested massage woth moisturisers and it did help. 

With such comprehensive clearance as the one you had you really should speak to the nurse on the dos and donts and also best ways to massage plus what you need to be doing to avoid getting the locked shoulder as well as lymphoedema.

Also you can get a treatment plan for lymphoedema related physio covered fully or partially through Medicare so definitely soeak to both the nurse and your dictors to make sure they help you make this as managable as possible

Hugs

Jel.