7 wks after lumpectomy and I still can't wear sleeves

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Rabbit_fan
Rabbit_fan Member Posts: 166
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
7 wks after lumpectomy and I still can't wear sleeves
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  • Rabbit_fan
    Rabbit_fan Member Posts: 166
    edited July 2009

    Has anyone else had this problem?  I could use some advice or encouragement.  It is 7 weeks since my lumpectomy and SNB, and I still can only wear sleeveless shirts because of nerve sensitivity in my upper arm.  The inside of my arm is really sensitive, and if I try to wear sleeves it's painful and it really gets sore.  I finally ordered a shawl to wear because I'm sick of freezing indoors.

    The first 3 weeks after surgery it was absolutley horrible - just the movement of walking around my house made it feel like my skin was scraping over sandpaper.  At least now I can wear tank tops and move around, but I'm ready for it to get better!!!! 

    Do you think the fact that it has improved some means it will continue to, or is this as good as it gets?  I just started radiation and it feels like it making it worse after only 4 treatments.    Sigh.

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  • gibby
    gibby Member Posts: 105
    edited July 2009

    Eileen;  I had a right mastectomy 1 year ago. I did not have radiation but I can tell you I thought I would go crazy if anything touched my arm. My Onc said it could be due to some nerve damage and some of it will never go away. At first I found I could wear very soft silk garments and gradually it got better. However, it still is hyper sensative and I only wear very soft fabics. I figure it will always be there a little bit. Hope yours goes away.

    M.J.

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  • Deb-from-Ohio
    Deb-from-Ohio Member Posts: 1,140
    edited July 2009

    Eileen, I had my surgery, lumpectomy and node dissection back on April 21st...I had terrible nerve pain in the back of my arm (back of the bicep), I mean it would bring tears to my eyes...it's gone away alot now, I can still feel it at times, although alot milder to where it's just a nuisance now. My problem is my breast is STILL swelled up twice the size of the other...Looks so nice when you're dressed to go out...thinking bout stuffing my bra on the other side! LOL......

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  • Rabbit_fan
    Rabbit_fan Member Posts: 166
    edited July 2009

    Thanks, M.J.  I didn't think about silky fabrics - I'll give that a try.  Did you ever consider seeing a neurologist or is this not something they can help with?  Sorry you still have problems with it.  Maybe there's still room for improvement after a year.  One of the nurses I saw told me it was a year before she felt back to normal. 

    Eileen

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  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
    edited July 2009

    Eileen, I had my surgery last November and I remember the intense stinging pain I had.  It hurt to sleep on my side with my arm resting against my body.  I tucked my small heart pillow under my arm while I slept for weeks.  So you are not alone!  I still have pain around my axillary scar.  It's been aching pretty bad the past few days and seems to get worse around certain times of the month.  I think this is normal.  The backside of my upper arm is still numb but the pain is not as bad as it once was.  I saw a LE therapist and she said the pains I'm getting now in my arm is most likely the nerves regenerating. 

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  • Rabbit_fan
    Rabbit_fan Member Posts: 166
    edited July 2009

    Oh my gosh, Deb!  That's a lot of swelling!  I still have swelling too, but not so bad.  This stuff is all so annoying!  I'm glad your sensitivity improved.  Keep up your great attitude! 

    Eileen

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  • gibby
    gibby Member Posts: 105
    edited July 2009

    Eileen; I haven't really done anything about it yet. Right now I am in the middle of reconstruction. I have a TE in place and I get my last fill next week. Then there will be another surgery for exchange. Maybe when all of the surgeries are over I will look into it more. At least it isn't debilitating. Try massaging your arm upward toward your shoulder. I find this sometimes helps when it gets really annoying.

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  • Rabbit_fan
    Rabbit_fan Member Posts: 166
    edited July 2009

    Hi Lainey,  thanks for the encouragement.  I'm glad you mentioned that about your scar hurting (I've been feeling like Harry Potter lately) at certain times of the month.  I think I noticed that too and maybe it was that instead of the radiation that was making me feel sore and swollen this week.  I hope your LE therapist is right! 

    It's nice to have people to talk to!   Eileen

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  • ljb
    ljb Member Posts: 4
    edited July 2009

    I tried massaging my arm several times a day using lotion and that seemed to help.  I also stuffed a piece of soft flannel inside the side of my bra to keep the inside of my arm from touching directly on the side of my underarm.  This definitely helped.  I used this for several weeks after seeing someone else's post about doing the same thing.  It is still tender but much better than it was.  The flannel piece sas folded several times to make a padded piece about 6" x 4".  Make sure the padding has no seams to rub against your skin which might cause irritation.

    Hope it helps.

    LJB

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  • LJ13-2
    LJ13-2 Member Posts: 235
    edited July 2009

    The nerves are just freaking out because they have been damaged or severed. It's false pain ... by that I don't mean you don't feel it, but it is not indicating that your arm is damaged.

    It gradually subsides over time.

    I found gently rubbing the irritated area to be helpful. It seems to help the nerves settle down and not keep thinking that there is a good reason to be so darn sore.

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