sentinel node biopsy - PAIN!

That isnt normal. My wife had it done anf there was no pain at all! Not sure why she should have such pain!

I am so in agreement with the SNB injection procedure (as well as the Stereotactic Core Needle Biopsy testing) - no woman should have to go thru such horrible testing.  I had insane pain in my breasts prior to both procedures which was one reason I was immediately in my doctors office which started all the testing that led to the ultimate diagnosis of cancer.  If you have bad pain in the breasts......these tests ARE going to hurt....my doctor (God bless her) prescribed me Xanax 2mg to take 1/2 hour before each procedure (I had to have my husband with me to drive-but heck, he was coming with me anyway; he's been by my side every step of the way).  This med made me "agreeable"; helped make me "completely relaxed"; allowed the medical professionals to do what they needed to; and mostly made the whole experience "foggy".  Mind you, I still felt everything but it was certainly bearable (except for a little issue during Stereotactic Biopsy test - was not numbed up enough in 2nd breast and I flinched so much I pulled my breast out of the mammography compression and pulled the needle out that had caused the intense, sudden pain).  I've had issues since the SNB on the left side since surgery - feels like electrical shocks shoot from the inside upper arm down to the elbow area if I stretch the arm in any way.  I've developed fluid buildup under the incision but my post surgical office visit calmed my concerns in that this fluid will dissipate over time and that fluid buildup could be pressing on a nerve which causes the shocking pain (or he also said it could be the tube, which is still in on that side and wound inside around the tissue expander, could be pressing on a nerve).

The medical profession really needs to get a better understanding that there are certainly enough women who find these procedures painful - and stop with the constant "this test is no big deal and should not cause you any pain" - perhaps that might be true in most cases but again, I think there are enough of us who DO find it painful and they should offer something for pain or anxiety right away when we speak up after hearing how the testing will be done!

Doxie,

You know, I mentioned that to the surgeon when I saw him post surgery.  I had read online prior to surgery that nerves can get cut inadvertantly - they can't see them so they can't avoid it if they happen to cut in that exact area.  He "poo-poo'd" me - and told me what I stated earlier.  I'm glad I got your response because it makes sense and seems to be well documented that it happens.

Thanks for the reassurance that even though it may be nerve damage that it is likely to get better over time.  Good to know; it's very annoying (not to mention downright painful at times).  I still find it shocking as I've read thru these discussion boards at just how long it can take for things to get back to "normal" - I know, nothing is normal and all things change - but you know what I mean.  I thought before my surgery that once surgery is done, you recover and  move on....but obviously after breast surgery one needs to think of years of recovery and not weeks or month.

I also think the medical technicians and doctors needs to be more aware of the pain involved with these procedures.   My biospy was very painful and no one offered to give me any type of mediciation for anxiety.   The wire insertion prior to the lumpectomy was one of the most painful thing I have ever had to experience.  I NEVER want to go through that again.    I found that the lymph node removal was not so bad but because I had two separate surgerys lumpectomy and then the sentinel node removed.  After the sentinel node was removed I started having a lot of pain at the lumpectomy site.   I also had a anaphylaxis reaction to the IV dye and was in ICU for 24 hours.   Anxiety and panic attacks has been a very huge problem with me.  

LiLi1964:

I have a very severe case of surgical neuropathy from having my sentinel nodes and 1 axillary node removed.

If you have nerve damamge pain and it is causing you that much discomfort, there are medicines you can take:

Gapapentin (generic form of Neurontin) and Lyrica

Amitriptyline is an an anti-depressant that has found to help some with pain (I take it at night to help me sleep as well as fight pain).

You could also try some OT/PT. While I was getting my myofascial release done on scar tissue, the therapists had me lightly rub the nerve damaged area with my fingers to combat the hypersensitivity. If I recall, the light touching was supposed to help the damaged nerves NOT interpret all sensations of pain.

Back in 2011, I also saw a wonderful pyschologist who helped me learn how to live with and adapt my life with chronic pain.

cinnaminsmiles:

I've already spoke with my family doctor on this.  Since I start chemo this week, I don't want to add any other medications to those I already take on a daily basis - I need to see what SE's chemo brings.

The pain had gotten better.  Then I had a PS and MO appt same day and w/all the undressing, I must have stretched my arm too far or something because I was in a lot of pain right after and that night.  It's gotten worse since.  But I've also returned to work in that time so that could be why.

We are going to try the Gabapentin (I used this years ago to try to control headaches and for pinched nerves in the back but it did nothing to help either).  But after I see what chemo brings.....then I'll move on to trying to help this prob out.  I can only handle one crisis at a time (I suffer from intense debilitating headaches now for 10 years and that w/chemo is all I can put up with); this will just have to wait.

Unless, of course, it worsens greatly.  Then I think it's a trip to PT - they should be able to help w/o use of medications.  But I'm just being more careful about stretching it too far/much in hopes that it starts feeling better again.  I'm hoping.....

sandra - yes, I'm very well aware of the side effects.  Had them myself, but not quite as bad as you've had (in fact, I've had them with every anti-convulsant we've tried for headaches and back issues) - I just cannot be "out of it" and still function.  And "function" is the key word. 

So thanks for the info, but have had the unpleasant experience myself (funny, I'm an accountant as well!).  Kinda hard to do that job when you have memory issues!

Oh Nancy, I'm so sorry to hear that. Stroke recovery is hard enough and now you have to deal with breast cancer. What kind do you have?

Vision problems are common with a brain stem stroke. Instead of one-sided paralysis (which CAN happen too but is unlikely unless it is much more serious stroke than my moderate one) Was yours ischemic? Mine was, so that was fortunate. A hemmorage would have been so much worse. Statistics say 36% of people who have brain stem strokes will have another within 12 months. I realize that means we have a good chance of never having another one, but if you are one of those 36%, it doesn't matter, does it?

Were you able to find a physical therapist who specializes in stroke rehab? (In this big metropolitan area there were only 5 physical thereapists fully qualified in neuro rehab). I had 16 sessions before I had to stop due to the upcoming mastectomy. I made great progress. The BIG dizziness and imbalance is gone. At first I could not look side to side more than once or twice without getting nauseated. The visual stimulus was overwhelming. I could not go to a grocery store for instance. Now I can, but I know how to do it and can block out a little. Still can't stand up for long with my eyes closed, but I've made progress. Uneven floors are a challenge.

I've learned what head positions trigger vision abnormalities. Walking in a straight line is a challenge some days but I don't fall over anymore. I still wobble from time to time and bump into things often. Rehab gave me the confidence and skill to give up my cane. Still cannot look at the ceiling and immediately at the floor more than once. I get dizzy again. Anytime my head moves from one place to another, I get dizzy but now it fades quickly.

I was fortunate to have been referred for Vestibular Testing at a major medical center. It's a 3 hour procedure that will pinpoint just where your deficiets are. The double vision is much better, but may never go away completely. I can drive as long as I don't have to look over my shoulders repeatedly. I use my side mirrors, stay in my neighborhood and drive infrequently, pulling over if vision changes come. Three months ago I had a consult with a neuro-opthmologist who tested me for several hours. She says I have signifigant impairment still, but thinks I will recover more of my skills. She said the double vision is because I have lost the ability to transition from close vision to distance vision. She gave me some exercises to do and told me about closing my eyes and waiting it out when all else fails. No more going from reading a book to looking across the room at the t.v. and being frustrated because I can't focus.

Make sure your anthesiologist knows about your stroke. It's vital that your blood pressure does not fall under 30% of it's base rate, otherwise you are more likely to develop a stroke. I had to get an OK from my neurologist before the mastectomy.

Good luck!