Painful Lymph Node Area

Barb,

Yes I get the same feeling, too. More so now that I've developed some lymphedema in that arm. I suspect in my case it is a combination of the lymph fluid trying to move through and nerve ends that were cut coming back to life.

I had my BMX almost four years ago, and my DIEP recon a little over two years ago. Knowing the pain recovery rate from other surgeries makes me pretty sure that this is what I'm feeling. All the others were minor compared to what I've gone through with bc, and the nerves took many years to work their way back to life. The fact that I'm feeling anything at all now amazes me, but because it's somewhat painful, I am thinking I'd almost rather have the numbness back. 

Keep a watch on the area, and if it changes in color (becomes red/inflammed) and feels overly warm get to your dr. Otherwise, I'd just assume it is recovering nerves.

I get similar pains...18 months (almost) out.  I figure it's from all of the digging around they did in there. Also probably pain associated with my implant.  I had terrible pain right after my implant exchange, and the LE therapist told me there is a lymph line that runs through there that was probably irritated in the surgery.  I suspect your pain is something similar.  Your body trying to deal with lost tissue.

OH Barb,

I get such pain under my arm,  in my breast area,  shoulder, arm ect... Esp. at night and when its cold, comes and goes................ I take advil for a couple days,  when its really acting up I will take a percecet...........However,  I also think my arm has a little lymphedema going on,  that always causes more pain!

Any type of swelling will cause pain/  Sweeti,  I think this pain is so normal and something we might live with for some time. I would not worry to much right now................Keep us posted on the level of pain..

Here for you , Praying......

Love you

Steph

I still get that kind of pain, too.  Particularly if I've been very active using that arm, I will be sore for a few days.  This weekend I did a lot of yard work, and my axillary area and my reconstructed breast has been sore this week.  When I swim or do other activities that involve a lot of arm usage, it makes it worse.

I hope yours is nothing to worry about!

Have just had a CT scan (4 weeks after surgery) and it shows an enlarged lymph node in the area where 7 were removed. It is a sore/sensitive spot and often gives me little jolts & spasms. Both my surgeon and oncologist have stated they are NOT concerned. As they explained it the lymph nodes are supposed to catch bacteria, infections and other "bad" stuff. They are just doing their job. They are reacting to the surgery trauma, fluid interuption and general swelling. I do have a follow-up ultrasound scheduled for 6 weeks and onc told me she expects it to be back to normal. A quick scan can tell them what's going on. Don't panic - but please do get it checked.

I'm about a year and a half out from my most recent mastectomy and I've been having pains very similar to what you described.  It's worse when I'm moving my arm a lot to try to stretch out some of the scar tissue that's apparently built up there.   There are areas that when I press on them are really painful.  I don't have any swelling or any other signs of LE, so I don't think it's that.

I told my MO about it and he sent me for a CT scan which was clear.   He thinks it is nerve damage related to the surgery, so now I've stopped worrying about it, and stopped pressing on the areas that hurt, LOL.