Forum Discussion

dbros's avatar
dbros
Member
9 years ago

Lumpectomy, axillary lymph removal and numbness

Hi all, I had a lumpectomy and axillary lymph dissection on Tuesday just gone. I have read lots about numbness in the arm due to the lymph removal but I have almost half of the breast which is numb also.

I have researched this and can only find info about it when implants have been inserted, but I don't have any.

I have called my breast care nurse and she said it isn't a normal issue which would indicate an infection and not to worry about it but I am curious to know if anyone else has experienced this? 

Thanks in anticipation.

side-effects

10 Replies

  • dbros's avatar
    dbros
    Member
    9 years ago
    Thank you again everyone, all of your journeys and the information you provide are so helpful.  I saw my GP today and she offered me Lyrica but I am just going to keep going a bit longer to see if I can manage without it.

    My good news is that my cancers have been surgically removed with good margins and only 2 of the 24 lymph nodes were positive.  I see my surgeon on Tuesday so will know more after that.
  • adean's avatar
    adean
    Member
    9 years ago
    Hi there lm 4.5 years post and lm still completely numb under the arm. My surgeon appoligized and said l cant always not damage nerves when lm trying to remove the tumor. Im glad lm here.  Adean
  • melclarity's avatar
    melclarity
    Member
    9 years ago
    I have heard of many, many ladies using Lyrica, its largely used to treat Fibromyalgia, which is a chronic over sensitivity to pain. I tried it about 10yrs ago when I was diagnosed, but it made me violently ill. The only other time I was given it was at my lumpectomy 2015 in which they mixed Lyrica with Morphine in recovery, to which my Surgeon ripped through the Staff in front of me the next day as I was vomiting for 12hrs straight. Yikes!!! Needless to say have finally worked out am allergic to Narcotics Yippee!!! LOL so pain through treatment was horrendous with only nurofen and panadol to combat it. 
  • Ne's avatar
    Ne
    Member
    9 years ago
    I just want to reiterate what @Zoffiel said.  Ask your surgeon about taking Lyrica if you are experiencing nerve pain/tingling and if it is plaguing you.  You don't have to suffer.  Lyrica was the best thing when I experienced nerve pain and weird sensations.  All the best for the rest of your treatment.
  • Zoffiel's avatar
    Zoffiel
    Member
    9 years ago
    I had a great chunk of meat cut out of my axilla--which included about 15 nodes--in October. The numbness thing is weird; mine mostly manifests itself in my tricep (more commonly known as the 'nanna wing')  I'm taking some Lyrica to help with the nerve pain with mixed results. I've been told that it may or may not resolve itself in time so I'll have to wait and see.
    A couple of months on I find it really only bugs me when I'm trying to rest and am not otherwise distracted. Just one more irritating thing to add to the joy, I keep telling myself to focus on the big picture and not get too wrapped up in the smaller things--still working on the delivery of that piece of philosophy.
  • melclarity's avatar
    melclarity
    Member
    9 years ago
    Hey Dale!!! Welcome! I've had 2 major lumpectomies in 5yrs, the last being 2015 in which they took some lymph nodes. Even 18 months on I dont have complete feeling in my armpit anymore, which really hasnt been a problem, and yes I remember the breast being quite numb and feeling very different for quite some time after the surgery. It is due to the nerves and just takes time to heal unfortunately. Let us know how you go, and certainly check with your Surgeon next week. Hugs Melinda xo
  • dbros's avatar
    dbros
    Member
    9 years ago
    Thanks so much for your responses, it is much appreciated.

    i think I very badly worded some of my message though, my breast care nurse said it isn't a sign of infection, therefore she didn't think it was of any concern.

    Although @Ne had different surgery to me it does possibly explain this as one of my two lumps meant they did have to dig about a fair bit and remove a fair amount of breast.

    My next step is GP this week, surgeon next week and then at some point learn what my chemo plan is going to be.

    Thank you all again, the information I have received and support I have found through this network has been invaluable to me.

    Dale
  • Share's avatar
    Share
    Member
    9 years ago

    Hi @dbros - I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis but welcome to the forum. It is amazing that you have already researched some things but can't get much information. I am sure you will find many helpful stories and comments on the forum - I know I have since only joining last October.

    I too had a lumpectomy and axillary lymph dissection and the several years later a mastectomy due to recurrence.

    I agree with @Ne - there is some loss of sensation even after a lumpectomy with axillary lymph dissection.  I had numbness for quite some time afterwards - down the underside of the arm for almost a year - feeling of like pins and needles at times and the sensation slowly came back.

    As for the breast, this too was numb for a little while - several weeks at least or perhaps 2 months - don't recall exactly how long.

    I would be a bit concerned that the breast care nurse mentioned it could be a sign of an infection and not to worry about it ? I would be very worried about a possible infection but unless the area and or incision site has some redness and/or has some heat generating from it or feels hot to touch (as opposed to it being the middle of an Aussie summer !) then that may be cause for concern.

    Perhaps our lovely Admin ladies like @Ann-Marie_BCNA may be able to assist here with some more helpful info.

    All the best with your recovery and also put a call through to your bc surgeon's rooms or hospital where the procedure was done for some reassurance.   

    Sheryl xx 

  • Ne's avatar
    Ne
    Member
    9 years ago
    I did not have a lumpectomy but I had a mastectomy and lost complete sensation in my breasts due to the removal of all nerves and breast tissue.  Could it be that with a Lumpectomy they also remove some nerves in your breast?  It sounds to me like the nerves has been afected by surgery.  Anyway, just my thoughts.  Maybe ask your breast surgeon.