Axillary dissection recovery

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ErenTo
ErenTo Member Posts: 343
edited September 2015 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

It's been 6 months since my axillary lymph node dissection (13 nodes removed), lumpectomy and bilateral reduction. Haven't had any issue from lumpectomy and reduction and the axillary dissection healing was uneventful with very little pain. I also gained full range of motion fairly quickly. However with dissection and being at increased risk of lymphedema I saw a LE therapist 3 months after surgery who gave me exercises and got fitted for a preventative sleeve and gauntlet to wear during exercise and flying. During chemo I wasn't able to get into my old gym routine, but started with some low-level exercise and light weight training and used the sleeve and gauntlet with no issue.

After each 3 rounds of taxotere experienced some pain, tingling and discomfort in the affected arm but they mostly went away (it's been 2 weeks since final chemo). Also developed cording (but had full ROM) and saw my LE therapist and she showed me some gentle massages and exercise which seems to have soften the cord. However I still have some dull pain in the upper outside part of the arm and shoulder when it's strained, for example while driving, and it goes away once I stop that activity. I had this pain all along since surgery but it was gradually getting better until taxotere started. I have to add I've been babying my arm a lot with LE preventative measures, and being the non-dominant left arm it wasn't too difficult to be extra careful and not overwork.

So my question is, is this pain normal 6 months post surgery? Could it be because of cording? Could this be an early sign of lymphedema? Or is this just normal part of recovery? It's hard to distinguish between an overstrained arm, chemo effects or early stage lymphedema. And with radiation to axilla starting in 2 weeks I'm being extra vigilant. I'm curious to hear how others' recovery has been after axillary dissection.


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  • ErenTo
    ErenTo Member Posts: 343
    edited July 2015

    Bbumping this in case anyone has experience.

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  • tazbear89
    tazbear89 Member Posts: 46
    edited August 2015

    If I am understanding you, it is possible that it could be the nerves healing too. I massage with lotion and that helps with it. Stay up on the LE exercises and try not to baby the arm, what I understand that can cause more issues. As long as I keep up the exercises, it is not as painful. Hope this gives you an idea.

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  • DayLily15
    DayLily15 Member Posts: 144
    edited August 2015

    thank you erento for posting this as im feeling about the same in my recovery.

    thank you tazbear for your insight.. the nerves healing seems right. i have tried to be positive and think the tingles and sensations are baby nerves starting out and not knowing the signals yet.

    i had my first neulasta shot last week and after 6 hrs i had massive tingling and weakness on the mast side.

    as i have figured out the sensation [pain,tingle etc] difference between cording and scar tissue . i now do the right exercises for cording if its cording and stretching if it scar tissue . this helps.

    since it was nerve healing sensations not cording , does anyone think the neulasta was super healing or super interfering ?

    hugs to all :)

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  • ErenTo
    ErenTo Member Posts: 343
    edited August 2015

    Hi ladies, sorry just saw your replies!

    Since I posted this, I made an appointment with my regular physiotherapist who also has experience with breast cancer patients. She examined my shoulders and thought they're both very weak and need strengthening, esp. the cancer side. She gave me 5 resistance exercises with the lightest band. Have been keeping up and it does feel much better. Although now I'm in the middle of extensive radiation and she told me to go easy during this time. But it seems that we found the cause of shoulder discomfort.

    I agree with not babying it too much, I'm hoping this gradual strengthening will allow me to get back to using the affected arm as before.

    DayLily, did you get the neulasta shot after taxotere? If that is the case, pain and tingling could be a side effect of taxotere. I had that after each round of taxotere and I can say it started to ease up about a month after my final chemo.


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  • DayLily15
    DayLily15 Member Posts: 144
    edited September 2015

    yes erento you are right it was the docetaxal stuff that caused the pain and tingling, this second dose was less strong and the pain/tingle is less awful. i see we have the same treatment regime, so glad to hear your thoughts and knowledge as you are 4 months ahead of me. gives me a more hopeful out look on the whole thing Thank you.

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  • ErenTo
    ErenTo Member Posts: 343
    edited September 2015

    DayLily, my first taxotere was the worst, the last two were easier or maybe I just knew what to expect by then! Hope things get easier for you as you should be coming to the end of chemo soon. Yes, looks like we have the same regimen, which seems to be the most common in Canada.

    My arm/shoulder is a lot better, even though I'm getting radiation to axilla. But I'm still being super vigilant.

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