Dull Ache 3 months post lumpectomy?

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kec1972
kec1972 Member Posts: 269
edited April 2019 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

My lumpia site was 2:00 on the left breast. Finished radiation 3 weeks ago. I have a constant dull ache at the scar site. Wondering if this is normal? Don’t really want to put a call into my BS so I thought I’d ask here first, Lumpectomy was 3 months ago

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  • santabarbarian
    santabarbarian Member Posts: 3,085
    edited April 2019

    Did the site heal prior to rads and get sore during/after rads? Or that after LX it never felt better again?

    Either way I would mention it to your surgeon. My LX healed easily and though it was 'sensitive' during rads (I got more sore/burned on incision areas), it is healing up thoroughly now. I am 3 weeks out from rads also. My surgery was done in late December.

    It could be well within normal healing range to still have pain... I am sure others will chime in.





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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited April 2019

    The tissue around the incision hardens and can stay that way for quite a while. If it doesn't hurt too much, massage can help soften it up. Some women are instructed to massage the area for several weeks/months (after it's healed!) to speed the process along.

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  • kec1972
    kec1972 Member Posts: 269
    edited April 2019

    The scar itself and the breast look great and appear to have healed beautifully. It's more a dull ache on the inside. If it doesn't subside, maybe I'll put a call into my BS's nurse. Thanks!


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  • santabarbarian
    santabarbarian Member Posts: 3,085
    edited April 2019

    I could be nerve pain, too, from either procedure. Good luck!

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited April 2019

    It could be nerve pain, it could be internal scarring and some of it could be due to radiation.

    My tumor was in almost exactly the same quadrant as yours. Surgery and radiation were almost four years ago.The skin and scar look gorgeous but I still feel soreness (especially to pressure) and sometimes that dull ache. Breast cancer oriented PT has helped a lot, including instruction in very light self-massage. I've been surprised at how long this has lingered but none of my treatment team are.

    It's a good idea to raise it with your surgeon or her NP but it's almost certainly nothing to worry about. Just something to learn to accommodate while your body continues to heal and adjust.

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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited April 2019

    Mine snarls at me occasionally, but it seems to be when I've slept on that side too much. I avoided that side during surgery, re-excision, an unrelated surgery on the same side, and radiation. It's also sensitive to some of my bras that I've always thought were comfortable. Poo. I think any surgery takes about a year for all the nerves to get back to normal, or a proximity of normal.

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  • kec1972
    kec1972 Member Posts: 269
    edited April 2019

    Alice, come to think of it, I HAVE been sleeping on that side...a lot! I think that may be the issue.

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited April 2019

    That sounds pretty normal to me. It took a long time (think years) before I didn't have aches/pains/zaps etc.

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