Mastectomy....5 months later

I am 6 weeks out, no issues for movement. Still working on range of motion, but no pain or soreness

Hi NotMyself- There is a Facebook group called Surviving Post Mastectomy Pain Syndrome. I joined last week because I've been having issues with my shoulder and neck. Also if you look around this site I think youll find people who are experiencing similar issues. Hope you get back to yourself

I'm 27 months from mastectomy and 15 months from reconstruction. For me it's been a journey. I did the exercises and I did a 3 month post-cancer fitness program plus daily exercise and two rounds of physical therapy. I am better now but not 100%, maybe 85. I did have shooting pain sometimes. If you have the energy I'd ask for pt and ask for a mastectomy expert. I found varying my exercises helped and adding yoga.

I think every woman should see a physical therapist specializing in post-mastectomy issues soon after mastectomy. This made big difference to me even though I saw PT no more than 3 times total. The first time was very soon after mastectomy, the second time - a month later and a third time another month later. At each appointment she showed me the exercises appropriate for my level of recovery. Strongly recommend a couple of sessions with PT and then "graduation" to a regular fitness class at the gym.
Best.

Notmyself, I started having the same issues about 5 months out. No swelling or evidence of lymphedema, but my arm and shoulder had mild pain, and I had fairly strong arm pain with movements that involved reaching behind me or to the side as well as less general range of motion than pre surgery, and it hurt to twist the arm (as in the motion you use turning a door knob or tightening a screw). I think the PT idea is a good one. I should have done so myself, but was so sick of doctor's offices and insurance wrangling that I just wanted to get back to normal life. The pain did eventually subside, and within a year post-op I was pain free. I found that doing shoulder rolls (move your shoulder in a circular pattern with arms relaxed by your sides, do a set rolling to the front, then to the back) several times a day, hot showers in the AM and PM, and putting on PAS pads on my shoulder, back, and top of arm before bed really helped. PAS pads are stick-on pain reliever pads available in CVS and other drug stores--they are non prescription and I have always found them helpful. I also stopped picking up anything heavier than a few pounds with the bad arm, and gradually over a couple of months worked myself up to higher weights. Happily, the pain completely resolved.