Numbness after mastectomy and lymph node biopsy :(

Momandwife36

Hey, was wondering if anyone else has had an extreme numbness in the chest area or on their arms that started a week or so AFTER their surgery? My doctor seemed really vague and unconcerned about the sudden creeping numbness I've experienced and essentially said "yeah, we don't know why that happens, it may or may not go away. As long as you still have function, don't worry." I am very worried because when I feel my skin now, it feels as though I'm touching another person.

ravzari

I didn't have any nodes removed, so I can't speak to that, but my entire chest was numb for a few weeks after my mastectomy, and then feeling started slowly returning.

It's still numb in patches and, though the skin has feeling back, is numb in the muscle/under the skin in a few areas about 3 1/2 months out; full feeling may or may not return, but it's the result of nerves being cut during surgery. For the most part, feeling has returned to all but a few small patches.

I didn't honestly notice the first week as I was too annoyed by the drains and the discomfort they caused to pay much attention to my chest, but my assumption is that it was pretty numb then as well and I just wasn't paying enough attention to it to really realize it.

Notmyself

I am at 8 weeks post mastectomy and my chest is still totally numb as is the back part of my arm and my armpit. My surgeon says it's normal and it may or may not change. I didn't notice it my first week out but I think I was too worked up about the drained and surgical bra and what not. I hope it gets better for both of ys

eot28

Do you have a pins & needles feeling as well, or just complete numbness? I had a BMX without reconstruction on October 11th and I have numbness on my chest but no pins & needles feeling there. Both of my arms have pins & needles and both hands also feel that way. The hand numbness/pins and needles started right after surgery and the arms come and go mostly starting about a week after surgery. I'm going to a physical therapist for evaluation next week to learn more and also get treatment for cording in my left arm. I didn't have any lymph nodes removed so it's weird to have cording, but I have been experiencing the increasing numbness since the week or so after surgery. I will let you know if the physical therapist thinks the delayed onset numbness is normal - she's highly experienced with post-mastectomy PT so I hope to learn more.

Luna52

I'm about 8 weeks post BMX. Some of the numbness in my chest is slowly resolving but I still have big patches where I can't feel anything. Especially just above my ribs and within the scar.

It seems like it is always something in this recovery; recently my little dog ear has become more pronounced and gets irritated by every camisole, yoga top, bra I wear for more than a few hours. I'd go without anything but then it rubs against my shirt and also gets irritated. This too shall pass... and most likely be replaced by some new weird sensation LOL.

EOT28: I guess I had pins and needles although I would have described them more as zingers in my chest. They seem to have abated for now. I had only one sentinal node removed and that was about 6 weeks prior to my mastectomy. Nonetheless, I developed cording in my right armpit. I'm about 3 weeks into PT and it is helping immensely. I'll be interested to hear what your physical therapist says. Great that she has experience with post-mastectomy therapy!

notmyself: I am numb in one armpit. I don't particularly notice it unless I am showering or putting on deodorant. I assumed the feeling would come back at some point.. hmmm

Luna

ksusan

Feeling has returned to my armpits, though I still have areas toward my back and around the incisions on my chest that have little or no sensation, and some areas where I can feel pressure but no superficial sensation.

Kicks

I'm 7 yrs post UMX (Oct 21, '09). I have an area under arm that is 'numb' from surgery. It does not bother me at all - the only time I notice it at all is when putting on deodorant - can't feel it being put on.

My Dr told me that it was quite possible/probable that there would be at least some numbness as any surgery will cut some nerves. I already knew this was true - I have a small area of numbness from my C-sections.

The numbness I experience(d) is not anywhere as large an area as I had been told was possible. Actually - when I burned so bad after rads - the deepest of the burns were where the nerve damage is so I didn't have to deal with the worst of the burn pain - for that I'm thankful as the rest of the entire irradiated area was bad enough.

For all who are having issues, if you aren't already seeing an LET (LymphEdema Therapist), it would be a good idea to see one for an evaluation and education about LE. LE is a possibility after any surgery (rather or not lymph nodes are removed) or traumatic injury.

I was fortunate when my LE started 9 weeks post UMX (1/2 way through 12 weekly Taxol) to have Drs who were very knowledgeable about LE and they got me in to see my LET guy. Unfortunately, many/most Drs are not well educated when it comes to LE.

mustlovepoodles

I am 8mo post- BMX and my chest is completely numb, except for the breastbone which is still very sensitive to touch.Both underarms and parts of my upper arms are also numb. My MO doesnt hold out much hopw that it will change at this point.

The numbness doesn't bother me much, unless I get some phantom itching.OMG. I can scratch and scratch and get no relief, because it's only nerves doing their thing and not a real itch.

barbe1958

I am 8 years out and still numb under my arm in the pit. Itching still at times too. The pins and needles and zingers are a good sign that nerves are regenerating..

I did get the nerve (pun intended) to ask my surgeon where all those amazing nerve endings went to when they were cut and he said to have fun looking for them!

Stacyd

I had double mastectomy with 17 nodes removed on the right side, 2 nodes removed on the left (tested neg) I did have and still do to a point numbness in my chest area and the back of my arms. Slowly the feeling is coming back in all areas.

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bevvzy

numbness is perfectly normal and about 75% of wonen after a mastecomy will have it to varying degrees. About half of those will gradually regain sensation but it can taken even up to 18 months. I had a mastectomy and although only 8 days ago, i did ask and also research the numbness . Ptetty much the whole right of my chest is totally numb. My armpit and underside top half of arm is totally numb ( and yet burns intensely) and even just below ny collar bone and shoulder blade at the back are totally numb. A few parchy areas only are not numb and they hurt like crap. So enjoy the numbness cause beats the pain☺ my armpit, while also completely numb to touch, burns severly, go figure (nerve pain i was told) I was told though as had axillary dissection (most nodes removed) that this was common.

So dont worry. It is very common and normal. Likewise it may or may not go away but can take many months. Take extra care with hot water, hot drinks etc as you could scald yourself and not know

Denise-G

I am 5.5 years out from Mastectomy and 14 nodes removed.  Still have numbness in chest, node area and under arm, although it has improved through the years.  I still get shooting pains on occasion and frequently have phantom nipple pain or itch.  Very weird feeling!

Jenwith4kids

I'm the same as Denise - Three years out (and then some) from BMX, ALND and implant recon. My armpit is almost totally numb as is my left breast (the radiated side). Right side is better - a little numbness at the scar. I will say though, that although I have that numbness, I feel more and more "normal" every day.... could be in my head or not, doesn't matter though, it's all good!

MTwoman

I'm 14 years out, and I had all of the feeling return to my underarm, but it took years. In fact, I just sort of realized a few years ago that my feeling was back; don't actually know how long. The feeling on my foob has pretty much all returned (except my fake reconstructed nipple), although it doesn't seem to have the same depth of feeling; if you know what I mean.

teege1

I had BMX in March 2016 with natural reconstruction using my belly fat. I also had a sentinel node dissection.on the right side. I had cording for a few weeks in my left arm but that resolved. Since about 6 months out I have had occasional pins and needles and numbness in my right hand and arm below my elbow. It seems to be coming more often now even a few times a day and is annoying as hell. Not sure what to make of it or what, if anything, to do about it

Sorella

It has been 8 monthe since my lumpectomy and removal of 17 nodes. I have not had one day pain free since. I just completed rads so maybe as I heal from them, it will improve. I began neutontin 17 days ago, hoping it helps (pain management said takes 3 weeks) I see some of you posted that it took years to feel better so feel I must be patient. But living with pain on top of fear is hard to bare. I forgot to mention pt was helping but had to put on hold for rads and I also do acupuncture which feels great but not so sure it works too much on the pain. Plan to get back to swimming, too. Good luck to all!

ready2bedone

I am a little over a week out from BMX and SNB on the left. I have mild numbness on my left side down to my fingertips with probably about 60% feeling. I had it before years ago (not related to any surgery) and went through a ton of nerve testing and physical therapy. The consensus then was it was a pinched nerve in my chest between my collar bone and ribs. Since I had big boobs, that aggravated it but nothing much could be done. I since lost 140 lbs and the numbness disappeared.

Until now. I suspect that it is either the swelling or the tissue expander putting pressure again on that nerve and hopefully will resolve on its own. Of course the numb chest is a different issue but I am encouraged to read your stories.

lrwells50

I'm almost 3 months post BMX with tissue expanders, and I'm still pretty numb