Forum Discussion

Brenda5's avatar
Brenda5
Member
10 years ago

Post all treatment, does it get better?

I had my left mastectomy surgery last Nov, and an auxillary clearance in Dec. Chemo was finished months ago and I am getting back in to normal life or so I think. I am getting pain from the surgery sites and the tendon at the front of my arm to chest. All I did Tuesday was wipe down some walls in the smallest room in the house, the toilet and I got all sorts of pain the next day. Yesterday I lifted a few boxes of stuff looked for which box had the family photos in and today its all sore again. Last week I thought I had chest pains like a heart attack and took some aspros but the next day I noticed bruising under the mastectomy scar, probably from lifting buckets of water when I cleaned fish tanks. My question is will it ever get better or will I have to pay with pain and discomfort every time I lift things with my arm? I have no cording per sei and I got no lymphedema in my hand like I had before either. I thought I was getting better?

6 Replies

  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    10 years ago

    My physio is only looking at arm strength and arm oedema...which is normal. I mentioned these symptoms to my oncologist breifly and physio and neither even mentioned anything like this. I guess it is not common. I just bought a couple of shape wear camisoles from Vella Bodies and on the bad days wear them...no bra and the compression does wonders. You would definitely need a softee implant in though with these so some pressure on the mastectomy scar. There are proper products you can buy of course if it turns out to be this. Maybe you have torn the scarctissue...so keep up that stretching while it heals...very gentle but movement. Take care. Kath x

  • Brenda5's avatar
    Brenda5
    Member
    10 years ago

    I passed physio a few weeks ago with flying colours. Full movement and no swelling but since I have been trying to go back to my normal day to day things this soreness and underarm swelling is back. If there is a muscle left in my chest I probably did tear it since it only feels like ribs now joined with gristle and not much muscle left. Note to self, don't use my left arm to lift buckets of water.

    The surgeon check couldn't see anything really wrong. There are no lumps as in cancer he could find and the day he examined me, I was mostly just all numb around my chest. Typical to settle down on examination when its been sore all week.

    Often it does feel like my arm is propped out so there may be something in that trunk oedema idea. Yesterday I did less and didn't lift anything heavier than 2kg or do too much arm over head movement and today its a lot less swollen. Dang I used to be so tough, I hate being so touchy now. 

  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    10 years ago

    I would be seeking advice from a Dr. You may have cording or scaring from the scar to the axilla so that might be an issue.  The bruising sounds more like a muscle tear. After being thorougjly checked out I'd be discussing with a physio also and perhaps a referral to an exercise physiologist to assist with strengthening ideas. I had reconstruction with my mastectomy and get tightening of my affected arm after being really immobile (like a car trip) or after lots of exercise. There is a condition called trunkal oedema which seems to upset cording or scaring (without arm lymphedema). Now ...being the nurse I am...if you get chest pain...please get it checked out. Remember chemo does put a strain on our heart which does recover but it takes time. Hope you have some answers soon. Kath x

  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Brenda

    Have you sought medical advice?

    I had the same - mastectomy and auxiliary clearance - and have never had any pain. Occasionally I get  a twinge from scar tissue, but it's a slight muscular type twinge, not pain. As I also have lymphedema, I do daily arm exercise and have regular remedial massage which may help too.

    I note however that some BCNA members have had continuing pain problems and those who have will be better able to advise. But it's not an automatic result of surgery.