Weakness after SLNB

ShareTheLight

So I turned 40 and had a mammogram and what do you know, I have breast cancer! My mother had DCIS at age 60 but I was told not to worry that hers had come from hormone replacement therapy and was not hereditary so I guess it's an unfortunate coincidence that I now have it too. Fortunately, I've been blessed with a very positive attitude so I'm taking it all in stride knowing my battle is minor compared to many of you dear folks. Anyhow, after genetic testing came out negative, I opted for a lumpectomy which was my surgeon's recommendation as well. My surgery was Jan 11th and I also had an SLNB done. I'm not sure how many lymph nodes were actually taken out yet nor do I have results yet.

I was pleasantly surprised how little pain I felt in the following few days after surgery and thought I'd be up and running now, one week post-surgery. Well, around day 5 I started having pain and excessive numbness and weakness and also a kind of burning sensation in my lower arm. My right leg is also very weak. So weird! I wake up in the morning feeling pretty good and even though my activity has been pretty limited, the weakness gets worse as the day progresses. Has anyone else had this? I just took off the dressings today leaving only the steri-strips and so am very sensitive in both incision areas. Tomorrow will be one week since surgery and I feel like I'm getting worse instead of better! I know that there has to be some pain in the recovery process but just want to make sure these sensations are all normal.

Also, my post-op won't be until the 31st, 3 wks after surgery. Is that normal??

Thx in advance and well wishes to all!

Moderators

ShareTheLight, welcome to Breastcancer.org. We're so sorry for what brings you here, but we're so glad you've joined us and hope you find the support and information you're looking for. Until you get responses from other community members, here is what we have in our main site about Weakness and Arm/Shoulder Problems Common After Breast Cancer Surgery, along with some tips on managing this side effect.

Hope the helps! Let us know how you're doing.

Best wishes,

The Mods

BarredOwl

Hi ShareTheLight:

Please speak with a health provider immediately to report your symptoms. As fellow patients, none of us (including the Moderators) have any medical training. However, leg weakness on one side is not something people typically experience following breast surgery, and could be a symptom of another type of health issue of significant concern.

Please seek care now and keep us updated.

BarredOwl

MTwoman

I completely agree with BarredOwl, call immediately.

(Hugs)

Kicks

Call your Dr ASAP! Or get to an UC or ER.

The signs you say you are experiencing could be 'something' not serious but could also be signs of something serious going on that needs immediate medical intervention. Either way - only Drs actually seeing you can DX.

ShareTheLight

Thanks everyone! I did get to speak to my surgeon today but as it so happens, I don't feel the weakness in my leg at all today so maybe it was just a weird happenstance. She did say that wasn't normal and that if worsens to call but like I said, I'm fine today. The good news is, lymph nodes came back clear! Bad news is the margins did not so I'll go back in next week. I think I'll start a new thread simply because she said thought it started as IDC, it's now ILC. She explained it all but I didn't process any of it so I'm meeting with her next Tuesday, day before surgery to go over details again as I'm confused by that.

Thx for the support!

BarredOwl

Thanks for the update. Glad to hear the leg symptoms disappeared.

Good news on the nodes. Hoping for good margins in the next procedure

BarredOwl