Nerves!

Cheesequake

I'm 11 days out from left side lumpectomy and SNB. The back of my left upper arm, my armpit and down across the top and left side of my breast feels constantly sunburned, clothing of any kind irritates the entire area. My armpit feels sore on top of that. At first I thought it was just garden-variety pain, until I realized I couldn't feel the razor when I shave that armpit. Dammit. Nerve damage is one of my major concerns and I haven't even started treatment!

Sorry, just a rant. I know a lot of you have much more extensive nerve issues than me!

I understand acetyl-l-carnitine promotes nerve growth factor. Anybody ever tried it?

trailrose

Cheesequake- You are so early out from your surgery so give it time! My BMX was on January 20th and my sunburned, super sensitive skin across and under my chest went away! Thank goodness because that was a crazy feeling! I had SNB on both sides and my right arm is back to normal but the left is still a little numb on upper back area and my elbow hurts a little too. My understanding is that it can take a lot of time for nerves to regenerate. So try to be patient. If it were me I wouldn't shave that armpit yet! I have not tried acetyl-l-carnitine. Hang in there!

Spookiesmom

with any surgery, anywhere, the surgeon cuts through nerves. Can't be helped. Some may regenerate some won't. I've had several major surgeries and had about 25% regeneration on all.

Cheesequake

trailrose, if I didn't shave it I think I'd go crazy. Something that minor makes that big a difference in my "mental wellbeing!" I'm definitely doing it less often and much more carefully than I used to.

Spookiesmom, I'm sorry you've got that much nerve damage. Do you have sensitivity and irritation in those places? What do you do to make clothes more comfortable?

Thank you both for contributing.

ksusan

I'm a patchwork of over-and under-sensitive areas since BMX in February. Some feeling is returning and the high sensitivity of my upper chest is decreasing. For example, I had little sensation in my right underarm for 2 months, and now I have enough back in most of it to feel sleeves, a razor, etc.

I found it useful to use a Calendula moisturizer and to wear light, Pima cotton shirts. If you can't feel your underarm, you may find it safer to use an electric razor.

Spookiesmom

I don't do, or wear anything special. My biggest problem is from a neck surgery years ago, I can't feel anything with my thumb or pointer finger. Dominate hand of course.

Nothing I wear irritates my underarm area, and it is numb. I keep shoes on at all times, not sure I'd know if I stepped on something bad.