Pain after lumpectomy

Supermama

I had a lumpectomy 8 days ago and recovery was going well until last night. Now I am getting a very sharp, pinching pain around the nipple, mainly in the area where the tissue was removed. This morning I noticed that there was some scant clear drainage just above my steri-strips. I'm seeing the surgeon in 2 days so I will address it with her but wondering if anyone else had a similar pain. I keep reading instances where people have felt "nerve pain" after lumpectomy but am just not sure this is the same. I've been off pain meds for 5 days but have started to take Tylenol again because of this. Anyone with this kind of experience.

LisaAlissa

Are you icing? I recall continuing to ice when I had pain for the first couple of weeks. Generally speaking, ice worked better for me than meds. But I also don't recall pain that I would describe as you have.

Two days can be a very long time to wait if you're in serious pain...if icing & the tylenol don't touch it, you might call to talk with your docs nurse and see if they want to see you sooner.

Hoping you feel better very, very soon!

LisaAlissa

Supermama

Thanks. I actually didn't think about the ice. I'll start using that again. The Tylenol helps some but it's kind of discouraging to feel like recovery is going backwards. I know it won't always be smooth sailing but some days are more discouraging than others.

dcis2012153346

Hello there! I hope you are feeling better now. I am talking from my own experience. The pain is normal just double check with your doctor. I am 5 years out and still there is something that reminds me almost everyday that I had a lumpectomy. It could also be in my head but the discomfort is there. Some days more than others. So hang in there. Hugs

TrmTab

I had two LX before the MX and each time I was given these little round disks for reusable ice packs...I used them for weeks...

Supermama

Thank you so much for the feedback. I saw the surgeon this morning and she said everything looks good and the pain was related to increasing activity. I have to get used to slowing progressing. Unfortunately, not all the news at the appointment was good. My margins weren't clean so I will have surgery again on Friday, the 31st. Just when things are getting back to normal, I'll have to go back to ground zero. This too shall pass. It's all part of the ups and downs of the diagnosis.

travel2

So sorry to hear your margins weren't clean and you have to have a second surgery. I had my Lumpectomy August 2016, and when I went back for the follow up ,my margin wasn't clean so two days later I was back in for the second Lumpectomy. Your right, this too shall pass and I agree it's all part of the ups and downs of the diagnosis. Hang in there.