After surgery side effects

Suwal what surgery did you have? lumpectomy mastectomy? it can take a bit to settle

I had a lumpectomy in August and was going really well. Now the scar and surrounds under my arm hurt - like a bruise or a sprain    Lots if tears!

I am so sorry to hear that you are in such pain, @Suwal - do you have a Breast Care nurse to chat with?  Are you able to make an appointment with your GP and/or surgeon to discuss it? 

It may be the nerve endings are still a bit 'raw' ..... Maybe try putting some 'paper tape bandage' on it - so that the tape is like a 'fake skin'?   There are a variety of sizes available at most chemists.

How big is the scar?  Is it from where the lymph nodes were removed, or from the actual tumour surgery?


I hope you are able to get it sorted, as pain like this is just totally debilitating.  

Do you think the Radiation made it worse?

Thank you for the information.  I have been walking a fair bit and wondered if the exercise was the problem.  The pain is worse now than after the surgery! Whinging doesn’t help though.   Will make an appointment with my doctor this week.   Thank you again 

Suwal I'm sharing my experience with caution - what works well for one my not be suitable for another. A week after my masectomy I mixed vitamin E oil (snipped off the end of a capsule) with Moo Goo. It eased the pain and the scar looks like a fine line. I hope you find some way to ease the pain.

Exercise could actually make it worse @Suwal - the possibility of chaffing with flesh rubbing flesh.   I know that I need layers to stop my thighs chafing when (or if!) I exercise - I can't do exercise in shorts or I would be rubbed raw.

Maybe back off on the walks for a little while - to give the area a chance to recover & heal?  Can you go swimming instead and just be very careful when wiping the area after swims &/or showers.  It takes quite a while for the scar tissue to 'settle down' & nerve endings to become less painful - and along the scar 'ridge', it could well be aggravated by the exercise as it would be higher than the surrounding flesh.  The under arm could be whacking it each time you use your arms for balance whilst walking.

Cornflour can be sprinkled on areas where chafing occurs - it is very similar to baby powder but without the scent!  ;) 

Al the best - I hope it settles down for you with rest - then you can work on a plan to prevent it happening again. xx

I have found that my node scar(nearly in my armpit) did hurt a lot during and after radiation. I’m now 5 weeks post radiation and it is just starting to settle down properly with only the odd day where it is irritated rather than all the time

Thank you all for your comments.  I do believe the walking was the problem. Since I have stopped the pain has eased.  I will try the Vitamin E with Moo Goo.  Thank you for the tip.  Again appreciation for the support this forum brings.   Have a good day