Itching sign of recurrence?

anneflorida

For the past 2 days, I have had itching under my arm where the lymph nodes where removed. First  time this has happened.  Other than this which seems minor, I feel great.  Should I watch and wait for afew weeks? Call and mention it to my doctor? Has this happened to anyone else? Thanks.

pupmom

Anne, I had this for awhile after my surgery. I think it is nerves regenerating under the skin, where we can't scratch them, ugh. You will probably just have to put up with the itching until your nerves settle down. They've gone through quite the trauma.

MaxineO

Anne- I've heard that itching is sometimes associated with the nerve regeneration/nerve damage. I know I often have itching or even pain there. A lot of that I put down to the major trauma of the mastectomy and lymph node removal.  Did you have bc in most of the nodes removed, or in a smaller ratio? I had a diagnostic ultrasound under my arm  as ordered by my onc on the bc side about a year ago (I also had lymph nodes removed, 4 of 13 positive). The technician commented that there was just nothing to see there because most of the nodes were gone.

You may want to think of other possible causes and perhaps watch a little longer. If it just started for the first time, and you can't get relief, you may want to then get it checked out for peace of mind. 

Anonymous

Ann -  I  too have had itching deep inside where the surgery was.  And yet I am uable to scratch it.  It's like phantom itching.  I agree with MaxineO, that it's all from the major trauma of the surgeries as well as possibly nerves trying to reconnect.

Oceana

Kicks

Also sounds to me like nerves regenerating.  It never hurts to call your Dr if you are concerned though.

'Nerves' can be 'weird' at times.  I can feel clothes under my arm, shower water (hot/cold) but if I reach under with hand can't feel hand there.   

jennyboog

I've had the same thing, sometimes its a deep itch that I can't do anything about...drives me nuts!  Healing and nerve regeneration is what I've been told.  I'm almost 4 yrs out and still have it from time to time.