PMPS

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Via
Via Member Posts: 55
edited July 2020 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

I think am suffering from PMPS. My surgery was February 14, 2019 and now it seems am in more pain. It is not a severe pain. But it can interrupt my sleep and sometimes even my armpits hurt. Anyone feeling this and what do you donfor the pain.


also I have one nerve in my nipple that hurts when water or anything hits it. I feel the surgeon left me a nerve all open or hurt. Anyone has that problem too?

Thanks!

Via



Doctor don't tell you everything

How common is PMPS?

Studies have shown that between 20% and 30% of women develop symptoms of PMPS after surgery. It's most common after operations that remove tissue in the upper outside portion of the breast or the underarm area.

PMPS is thought to be linked to damage done to the nerves in the armpit and chest during surgery. But the causes are not known for sure. Women who are younger, who have had a full axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) and not just a sentinel lymph node biopsy, or who were treated with radiation after surgery are more likely to have problems with PMPS. Because ALND is done less often now, PMPS is less common than it once was.

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    • AliceBastable
      AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
      edited April 2020

      I have no idea what PMPS is, but I had a lumpectomy in July 2018, and still get zaps of pain and some more steady discomfort. At my last MO appointment, I flinched when she did the manual exam, and she thought there was a thickening of the tissue in the lower breast, even though the tumor had been higher, so she scheduled a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. It's just scar tissue plus gravity. I've had several surgeries for a variety of things over the years, and every single one of them likes to make their presence felt at different times. My BS mentioned an appendectomy she had about ten years ago that still gives her zingy sensations.

      I find that sleeping holding a pillow helps when needed.

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    • magiclight
      magiclight Member Posts: 8,690
      edited August 2020

      Alice, unfortunately this is a recent thread. Most of the people with PMPS wanting information go to the Facebook group where information is exchanged very freely. Unfortunately, there is no current single treatment for this postoperative disorder. Most treatments are invasive and not significantly effective. You can look through the Post Mastectomy Pain Syndrome thread that has been going for a long time, but with no posting since February.

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    • magiclight
      magiclight Member Posts: 8,690
      edited August 2020

      For those suffering from PMPS and looking for relief, I've copied this from the Facebook group omitting identifiers. We are all looking for relief from this often debilitating pain, however, sadly too many therapies are not successful, including cryoablation.

      "I am so distraught I wasn't sure who to contact. I know I can always count on this support group for words of wisdom. As you know, I went to Atlanta to receive cryoablation on my chest and on my burning feet. It didn't work on my chest but I thought it worked on my feet. Well no longer. I took myself to the grocery store yesterday. I used my electric scooter while I was in the store. However, when I got home my feet started burning again and they haven't stopped."

      I'll definitely post any positive outcomes described by members in the Facebook group. Still hopeful!!!

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