Underarm sore 3 months after BMX

lessharp

So, I am over three months out from my BMX and am experiencing tenderness and ache under my armpit...cancer side, of course. I had no invasive component and only one node taken (clear). Finally pathology was grade 3 DCIS and Pagets (cancer of the nipple).

The last week and a half I've been ill with an upper respiratory infection....and had pain under my right rib cage. I assume it was related to the coughing fits. The last two nights in bed I've noticed ache/pain/tenderness under my left armpit. I also had one day of sternum pain. The armpit pain seemed to be more towards my back...but when I palpate around I also feel tender near the "breast" (mastectomy with diep). I'm not sure if that could be where my node was taken. I feel no obvious lumps. Just tender.

Can someone please tell me this is me being paranoid!? If it is just swollen from infection...why just on the cancer side? Please help me from crazytown!

gracie22

Hi Lessharp, I am a little over a year out from BMX. The sternum pain for me was pretty intense for several weeks post op (felt like I had been punched in the chest) and gradually receded, but I felt twinges for months. Armpit was initially completely numb, then feeling gradually came back over the course of the next several months, with skin particularly sensitive on the outer edges of armpit and around to the back. I had a SN removed also. There was (and still is) shoulder/arm pain on the cancer side in certain positions. Deal-able, but I do have to watch my movements, and it has slowly improved over time. Check with your doc of course, but it is likely the normal pain and discomfort that happens as sensation returns to areas initially numb from the surgery--nerve repair takes a long time. One of my docs said that aside from the surgical trauma, there can be a muscle issues since your arms/body are manipulated during surgery into positions that you normally would not hold for so long. It is also possible that more tissue was taken from the cancer side, so more trauma. If the area is swollen and/or red, do get it checked for infection (esp if you have fever, of course), but it is more likely just part and parcel of recovery from a pretty intense surgery.

cke14

Hello,

I felt underarm pain up to a year after BMX. I was referred to physiotherapy and massage therapy with great results. I had shoulder, and sternum pain also for about a year and is still tender. Yoga helps, stretching and strengthening.

I think the cancer side is worse because the surgery is more invasive on that side.

Good luck

Margaret

lessharp

Thanks guys. I am trying to not work myself up into over-concern. I did not have this pain for 3.5 months. I do wonder if it is due to the nerves coming back...as I was numb in one area on the back of my arm and outer armpit. I am noticing more sensation now...and was hoping it could just be that! I am going to see if it continues, and make an appt with my breast specialist if it keeps up. Thank you again for the reassurance not to panic! :-)

IrishEyes39

I have also recently started feeling pain under my arm on the cancer side, and I am just over three months out from my bmx. So, our timing is the same, which I find reassuring.

Not to alarm you, but I'm also being monitored for a possible (unlikely) recurrence and have another ultrasound on Friday to determine if the 1.4 cm visible lump I've developed in my left breast requires biopsy. I will be asking BS about the underarm pain when I see him, and I'll let you know what he says.

lessharp

Thank you Irish.....The pain is subsiding. I do think my cold and/or the nerves coming back could be contributing factors. I have been palpating everywhere and there are no lumps whatsoever, so that is good. I do feel tenderness when I palpate in area between my flap and armpit and also towards my shoulder blade/ribs on the back side of my armpit. It almost feels like the ribs are sore. That tenderness may have been present all along...just didn't notice because of the numbness, and also I have not pressed on those areas before. Could even be the site of the sentinel node biopsy that hurts...I'm not sure where that node was located as they took it during mastectomy thru that opening. Praying you are A-Okay on your lump.

IrishEyes39

Thanks!

I also have no underarm lumps and am considering that to be a good sign