how long will the pain last/

Thanks everyone. It's good to hear that I am not alone. Will ask the specialist when I see her for suggestions to relieve the symptoms

I found after a few months my massage therapist gave me some great exercises although I will say I cannot completely raise that arm in the air.

Thank you Adean, it just seems that my left arm is now "hopeless"  no heavy lifting etc.... But didn't know about flying having an effect???? Will look into that xx

I had a bilateral mastectomy  with sentinal node biopsies and tissue expander insertion on 25/1/16. The nerve pain under my arm and r) breast,  the side of  primary cancer was excruciating. I spent all day with a pillow so it wouldn't  accidently  rub against anything.  My Dr prescribed Lyrica, initially a very small dose and then put up for a week...once the pain became bearable the dose was dropped back. It is still a bit oversensitive but tolerable and regular stroking now helps desensitise it. Goodluck. Get onto it soon, from my reading ...the sooner you can improve it the less likely it will become a chronic problem. Goodluck. It took about 7 days then I noticed improvement on medication. 

Me also bit of a bearer of bad news but everyone is different I had mastectomy early July last year with ax clearance today it still buggers up my movement and hurts, however, I also have expander in currently doing radio.  My suggestion would be find a Pinc physio near you or at least a physio that specialises in cancer care.  It took me 4 months to get that information even though I was doing exercises I found that physio really helped and took down swelling and has given me less pain.  Initially I was given endone for the pain and then lyrica I didn't like being out of it so I just used panadol first few weeks in hindsight it does get better than in the beginning I'm looking forward to being over active treatment and getting back to Pilates and those things that kept me sane regards Tracy 

Hi Chris, just to watch I got breast lymphodeama when I flew from student to melbourne, so my breast swelled excessively but not my arm, it's only happened a few times but I had some lymph drainage and that helped. And it blew up the other day after sanding some furniture obviously over did it. Just remember try to not have blood or blood pressure done on that arm as a precaution. I also take precautions when I fly now. Regards adean

I had lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed and on 29/10/15 and even today I still feel numbness and a little discomfort on my left arm.  Im just scared it won't lead to lymphodema....

Hi, 

I had that too after my mastectomy . The pain was awful , like hot electric zap. Endone didn't get rid of the pain, helped a bit though. My surgeon gave me a script for something that targets this pain and it worked. Took about a month to go. I can't remember the drugs name but he really was reluctant to give it to me as you can't take it for long. As for the numbness in the arm and around that area - it's permanent for me. Ever since my lumpectomy in 2004. I had a mastectomy in 2013, same breast , cancer returned. Hope you get some relief. Xx 

I hate to be the barer of bad news but it maybe forever, I have this and I'm 4 years post, I've now got used to it, my area is always numb and pain good sometimes . my surgeon appoligized she said you have to understand that it is a tricky surgery in that area,I look at it this way I glad to be alive and I can put up with it a small price to pay. Regards adean