Sore armpits

You're welcome :) 

You're doing so well Keiley! So much of how we manage this 'journey' comes down to our attitude....medications certainly help, and support from loved ones but we really need to be healers of ourselves - just like you're doing!

Thx for putting a smile on my face today :).

Nikki

Thanks everyone, I think the Lyrica has worked because the sensation has now completely gone - such a relief! 

I thought I would post this here as a note for those who might be experiencing the same one day. 

I still have weird, nervy sensations across my chest, but it's much more tolerable. I'm not even taking panadol any more, because most of the time I can distract myself from being bothered by it. I'm so impressed and taking a lot of courage from my ability to heal right now. I've only got one week before chemo starts, so it helps to feel tough!

Thank you wonderful ladies, your experience has been a great help! I saw the surgeon and BC nurse today, and passed all exams! Hooray! 

I forgot to mention I'd been started on Lyrica before I left the hospital due to sudden unset of neuropathic pain - oh the horror of phantom pain waking me in the middle of the night...still gives me the shivers. I'm getting it now just thinking of it as I write this...

I've been reassured that I'm healing perfectly and the skin sensations are indeed neuropathic (nerve) healing and that it's different for everyone. I've been reassured I can continue to use naturally-based deodorant, go ahead and gently stroke the sensitive areas with a neutral cream and that later when all dressings are removed to use something like bio-oil and go ahead and massage the whole lot. 

I'm to continue my physio as instructed and follow the video as I have been doing. I tell you ladies I could not function without these little cushions. I walked through a major shopping centre this evening with them and no one cared less (that I noticed). Just that little layer between the screaming skin and the weight of my arm saves me so much discomfort - which allowed me to have a crazy late-night shopping adventure with mum tonight! I'm exhausted now of course, but have some new tops that meet all criteria if I want to go back to work at my desk before I'm ready for a bra etc. 

Honestly, though there doesn't seem to be anything to take this awful sensation away except healing time, I feel better knowing I'm not the only one and I'm doing everything I can. Thank you, honestly for replying. It helps so much. 

K x

Keiley, I had a lumpectomy and axillar clearance on 12th Feb. I also felt, and still do, the numbness in my armpit. Mine was worst down the back of my upper arm post surgery. It is still there but I have learnt to live with it and some days are better than others. I have found that walking and doing the exercises makes it feel better. I am now going to a pinc physio and use the Pilates DVD for Brest cancer patients to be helpful- anything that gets circulation moving. Ask your breast care nurse if she or a lymph oedema nurse can do your LDEX measurement . This measures your stem and is a benchmark by which they judge any progression to lymph oedema. Another thing I was told which has helped was to put a pillow on its side under my arm in the car when I am a passenger. This has helped my left arm not to swell when we drive the3 hours to chemo

Hang in there ! It gets better but I am not necessarily back to the way we were.

Hi 

I use vasse virgin oil.. mandarin and vanilla bath and massage oil. I used these products original for my premmie son and also my daughter s keratosis.

They are super sensitive and hydrating. Get it slapped on everyday. Keeping your arm and chest moisturised daily as this can reduce the chance of lymphodema. I m still attending physio after surgery 16 mar 2016. For full mastectomy and axilliary clearance. I often feel like i am completely twisted but i find doing the stretches in the shower in the morning helps. Hang tough!

I too used lyrica as the side of my reconstructed breast was painful too...I constantly walked around with a pillow. I only needed the lyrica for a few weeks and then slowly cut back. The other thing I did which my physio recommended was to gently stroke the area. It hurts initially then lessens. You may realise some bits are numb there still when doing this. I had swelling due to reconstruction so it rubbed and still does and I use Dove sensitive deodorant as I developed issues with my normal brand after starting chemo. I only had sentinal node biopsies...so was shocked it was so painful. Hope it improves soon. Kath x

Hi Keiley,

I have the same problem - although the soreness is abating as the days go past. It evens throbs a bit if I try and lie on my side, with my arm resting on my side.

It's sore to touch and the skin feels chafed even without visible signs...in fact some dry skin is flaking off the area too.

I find putting the zonta cushion under my underarm (the curve part) helps relieve it somewhat.

You sound so much like me...worrying about the lymphodema - but I think this is a natural part of the healing process.

Im 5 weeks post-mastectomy and the sensation is still there...but not as strong.

Take care

Nikki

You dont have to suffer as this sounds like the typical initial nerve damage from the surgery.  I had the same happen to me, It was so sensitive just my arms touching my clothing or the back of the car seat, I couldn't tollerate it.  Also felt like severe chaffing.  My dr prescribed Lyrica which is used for nerve damage amongst other things, and it immediately brought relief.  Don't suffer in silence, nerve damage can take months to sort itself out.  I would definitely ask my dr tabout Lyrica.  When I had my second mastectomy (1 year post my first mastectomy) my Surgeon actually started me on the Lyrica the day before my surgery as she anticipated the nerves to play up as they do with this surgery.  I only needed it for a couple of weeks this time round and now that sensation is gone.  With my first mastectomy I needed an auxilliary clearace which meant more significant damage to nerves, so I was on Lyrica for a good couple of months back then.  Huggles x

Your skin does all kinds of weird things while on this journey! Especially during chemo.

The surgery has interfered with the nerves and lymphatic channels. I'm 4 months post surgery (lumpectomy, positive node axillary clearance, then re excision...mastectomy to come) and still have neuralgia in my arm and no feeling in my arm pit.....I am seeing a physio who has taught me how to massage the area.

I cannot express enough the importance of doing those exercises! it took me a good two months before I could even straighten my arm due to the cording...i still do them today!

Moisturisation is key...I use Moo Goo, but you use what you are comfortable with. the chaffing all over can get quite bad otherwise....

Of course if you a concerned ask your team.

Love and light for easy recovery and beautiful days. <3