I had my mastectomy on 21 December and it's been 3 months. My mastectomy site still feels numb, prickly at times like there are electrical impulses, and tightness. I especially feel it when I wear tighter clothes (hoodies, cardigans) which is more uncomfortable. I did not have any implant put in as I think I can live with a prothesis for the rest of my life.Not sure how long it is going to take for these feelings to go away so i won't be conscious all the time.

My surgeon warned me to ignore all the funny feelings I would have at first - but as I got a persistent seroma (fluid) on the site, it was hard to tell what was causing what. No pain, but tightness certainly and occasional aching caused by fluid. The worst was the sloshing noise when I bent over - that was definitely the fluid! Once that problem was resolved, I have had very little problem. There is a degree of numbness, also in my armpit - not as bad as the first few months but four and a half years on, I suspect it's there for life. It's not a problem - I used to have difficulty feeling where to put deodorant, but I can fee that now. Can't really tell hot or cold though - luckily I don't wax my underarms! Occasional tightness you may still get - it's the scar tissue and is particularly noticeable if I have been exercising strenuously, or doing something I don't normally do. Just tight though, no pain. I too am happy with a prosthesis, and haven't had any issues with it and my mastectomy site. I have had a lot of massage (for the seroma) and I reckon this helps everything so may be worth a shot. Best to get a therapist who works with cancer patients such as a lymphoedema therapist, who knows what they are dong. Good luck.

The tightness and tingles will be all your re-connective tissue healing. Definitely go see a a therapist to help with massage along the scar site. I felt pulling and like a zap from time to time. I have been doing exercise, gentle physio workout and seeing a physio and a lymphodema therapist to help all the inflammation and swelling from the surgery. I had a nipple sparring bilateral mastectomy with immediate implants 21st Feb. Previous diagnosis was 2011 i had chemo, lumpectomy, more surgery to remove more lymph nodes (plus ovaries and tubes - cancer was hormone positive) then i had radiation. So i figured no more chemo wasn't doing that again. Thru my past journey I found i had many connections to post op solutions for healing understanding nutrition, naturopathy, meditation and yin yoga and various styles of body work therapy like physio. All the best.

Exercise definitely helps. I've been told by both my surgeon and rads oncologist that the shooting pains are quite common, and are due to nerve endings being cut and the rads treatment. I can now lay on my right side 2 years later. I reckon some of my discomfort has been due to lymph fluid, however this improved after I had my DIEP flap transfer. Also, I see my lymphoedema physio for massage of the wounds and lymphatic drainage, this also helps. I still get shooting pains from time to time though.It does suck, I understand and send you a gentle cuddle, Trace xx

I will try to see if i can find a physio specializing in this but the thought of someone massaging the site scares me... I don't even dare touch the site much myself when I shower lol. I have twice so far probably hurt myself more when i try some arm swinging exercise (silly of me probably over estimated myself). Sometimes the under of my upper arm feels tad sore and I have to gently massage. I only had three nodes removed and I am feeling discomfort, I really cannot imagine those ladies who had more taken out.

The massage is really gentle, and can break up any scar tissue including cording. It also moves the lymph fluid out of the way and make you more comfortable. I had 17 nodes removed and still remember trying to find my armpit to put on the roll on deodorant. Got the giggles when I looked in the mirror and saw that I had totally missed the target....

How long did you take to start feeling comfortable about your mastectomy site?

14 Replies

AineG
Member
9 years ago
Hi @au0rei I agree with everything the ladies are saying here. I couldn't stand clothes for a long time, but have noticed considerable reduction in pain since I hit the six month mark. Still the odd pain and "sensation" but not like before. I did about 10 session with a specialist phsyio. If your GP will apply on your behalf you can seek a medicare rebate for up to 5 sessions per calendar year that can help with the cost.
I stretch EVERY morning and if I don't I pay for it, so it's 20 minutes well spent.
Any exercise that opens up the chest and stretches your arms is good.
Aine
au0rei
Member
9 years ago

primek said:

Okay. May I suggest a chat with your Dr about something for nerve pain. If it hursts to even tough it, it may well be that. Lyrica settled mine down so that I was able to stroke the area as it desensitized and went off the medication in a month...reducing the dose. hlad to ad it did nake me a bit sleepy but it was worth it. I remain numb in areas but no longer sore. I couldn't stand clothing brushing my skin it hurt so much. Hope things improve and still seek out the physio. Kath x

I couldn't stand clothing against my skin too Kath it feel so weird, I have a whole wardrobe of clothes but I am only wearing one baggy soft t-shirt which makes it a bit better for me lol. I wish there is some bra that can be made for women who have had mastectomy to protect the area and keep it free from stuff.
primek
Member
9 years ago
Okay. May I suggest a chat with your Dr about something for nerve pain. If it hursts to even tough it, it may well be that. Lyrica settled mine down so that I was able to stroke the area as it desensitized and went off the medication in a month...reducing the dose. hlad to ad it did nake me a bit sleepy but it was worth it. I remain numb in areas but no longer sore. I couldn't stand clothing brushing my skin it hurt so much. Hope things improve and still seek out the physio. Kath x
au0rei
Member
9 years ago
You ladies are an awesome lot!
socoda
Member
9 years ago
Hi @auOrei, I too had a single mastectomy with immediate implant and am now 10 months down the track. I am still noticing changes in sensation both to my breast and my a (4 nodes removed) and I still have some fluid around the implant from surgery which seems to swell and reduce so I know reckon that I'm tidal!! I still am having intermittent pain along the scar line, drain sites and occasionally in the armpit but I think that as I'm still healing and Stoll building new nerve pathways that what I feel would be pretty normal and just add them to the new sensation list. I also massage a product similar to bio oil into my scar line and it not only helps the scar line it also helps me psychologically as I know I'm helping my scar line stay supple. Wishing you all the best. Xx
Hopes_and_Dream
Member
9 years ago
Hi auOrei, I'm 9 months from a left mastectomy with immediate implant and I also had only 3 lymph nodes removed. You've had major surgery and 3 months really isn't long - as the other ladies have said, you will still have a lot of nerves reconnecting and healing. From memory it was around the 4 month mark that I noticed a big reduction in the tinging in my arm. Some of the numbness under in my upper arm and armpit reduced at 6 months but I still only have maybe 40% of normal sensation and the back of my upper arm still has no feeling. But, other than that my left arm has full movement and feels much that same as my right, though lacking some strength.
My whole breast is numb and I find a daily gentle scar massage with moisturiser reduces tightness. I can really notice the difference if I forget the massage!
For me it's more a case of becoming used to all these new sensations (or lack of!). I hated touching my "new" numb breast at first but it's just become a part of my new normal body now. Be patient with yourself, make gentle arm exercises and stretches part of your daily routine. Wishing you all the best, Jane xx
Maria333
Member
9 years ago
This is how i found my lymphatic massage lady - she is AMAZING. http://www.oncologymassagetraining.com.au/
Just pop in your local area they are certified by the cancer council.
Afraser
Member
9 years ago
Agree with TraceyB re lymphoedema massage, it's very gentle but works well. I also had 17 nodes removed. I count myself lucky I had no arm mobility problems, could lie on my side and all that virtually straightaway - good surgeon (no radiation though).
Jane221
Member
9 years ago
Hi @au0rei, it is still early days for you and I do remember lots of tightness and zapping in those first six months or so. I am now 5yrs on from diagnosis and although there is still some numbness in patches, I very rarely get nerve pain or tingling - just some tightness and swelling due to lymphodema.

I would agree with the other ladies and find a good physiotherapist that works with post-surgery / cancer / lymphodema patients, they are an invaluable resource. I'd also suggest going along to one of the Encore program classes run by the YWCA, if they are in your area. It's a free 8 week exercise (land & pool) program specifically designed for post breast cancer ladies. It's a fabulous program and you can attend as long as you are 8 weeks post surgery so the ones I've attended included ladies still going through chemo or radiotherapy as well as some who were months or even years on from treatment. Here's a link for more info:http://www.ywcaencore.org.au/ Other exercise programs such as Revitalise (Fernwood program partnered with BCNA) might also be a good option for you: see link here

Finally, the other thing I wanted to mention is that if, down the track, you find that you do want reconstruction, there is still the possibility of having it. Many of us, including me, have had delayed reconstruction. In my case it was 2 years on from my mastectomy and I had a DIEP (tummy tissue reconstruction due to having radiation). However, lots of other ladies are very happy to continue to wear a prosthesis, or not bother with anything at all, it is entirely your own personal choice but it is always good to know that there are options available. Best wishes, Jane xx
Anonymous
9 years ago
The massage is really gentle, and can break up any scar tissue including cording. It also moves the lymph fluid out of the way and make you more comfortable. I had 17 nodes removed and still remember trying to find my armpit to put on the roll on deodorant. Got the giggles when I looked in the mirror and saw that I had totally missed the target....