Numbness in Arm after Lumpectomy

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macdebbie
macdebbie Member Posts: 171
edited October 2021 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

I had a lumpectomy on 9/14 and SLN biopsy. 4 lymph nodes were removed. When I went to my post-op with the surgeon one week later, the back of my arm was numb. My surgeon said that would resolve. She said first it would get a "burning" feeling and then start to get better.

That seems to have gotten better, but not back to normal, but my underarm is still numb.

I have Dr. Susan Love's Breast Cancer book, and in it she said if the numbness does not resolve within a month, it likely is permanent. I hate to think the numbness under my arm is here to stay.

Has anyone had numbness after a lumpectomy that lasted more than a month but resolved later?

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited October 2021

    macdebbie - I still have some numbness on the back of my arm after 7 years. But if you didn't get measured pre-surgery for a base line so you can rule out possible lymphadema changes in the future, I'd for sure get to a certified, trained LEPT now. Many docs don't think it's a big deal so never talk about it. But it IS a big deal.

    Check out this web site, http://www.stepup-speakout.org/

    The other possibility is to make an appointment with a neurologist - but I think it's a little early for that. My neurologist told me things would probably get better (read improve) for up to two years. Not necessarily back to square #1, but relatively better than the first year or two.



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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited October 2021

    First time, 3 nodes removed. My arm was numb to the elbow for 3 months, underarm was numb for 6 months. Second time, 3 nodes removed. No significant numbness in arm but underarm was numb for more than a year. Over time, everything completely resolved with no remaining numbness.

    I don't think my experience is unusual - I recall seeing threads where lots of others have talked about having underarm numbness for an extended period of time before it finally resolved.


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  • Rubytoos
    Rubytoos Member Posts: 85
    edited October 2021

    Yes. Nerves regenerate very slowly and can take up to two years.

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  • MountainMia
    MountainMia Member Posts: 1,307
    edited October 2021

    Yes, I had numbness in my underarm and along a line down my arm from armpit to elbow. I have almost complete sensation in my underarm. The rest of it is much better, and most of the time I don't notice it as numb, though it is a bit. My surgery was 2.5 years ago and it has continued to improve over that time.

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  • WC3
    WC3 Member Posts: 1,540
    edited October 2021

    I had a bilateral BMX. On the cancer side I initially had numbness wrapping around to my back. I also haf numbess near my collar bone from some nerve injury from my port. The back numbness and collar bone numbness eventually resolved but I have a completely numb spot under my arm on the side of my rib cage near the base of my implants which I think is there to stay, and of course most of the skin over my implants is numb.

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  • macdebbie
    macdebbie Member Posts: 171
    edited October 2021

    Thanks Beesie and everyone else who posted. I won't stress about the numbness then. More important things to worry about like getting this darn seroma resolved so I can start my radiation!

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  • macdebbie
    macdebbie Member Posts: 171
    edited October 2021

    Minustwo. Thanks for the info. My BCS did go over the possibility of lymphedema with me, but said there was a less than 5% chance given that I am thin and only had 4 sentinel LN removed, no axillary nodes. I still with docs would be more cautious.

    I asked the PA at my last appt that I made regarding the seroma if she would refer me to a LEPT to help with the seroma and edema and she said it wasn't necessary.

    I checked lymphnet.org to see if I could find one on my own, and of course there are none in my state (SC). Is there another directory where I might be able to locate one?

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited October 2021

    macdebbie - sentinel lymph nodes are axillary nodes - they are referred to as sentinel nodes only because they are identified as the first ones away from the breast that take up the dye/tracer, but they are part of level 1 axillary nodes. Chances are slim that you would develop lymphedema with only sentinel nodes removed, but it does still happen. I am also thin and had nodes removed bi-laterally, two on the non-cancer side, initially one on the cancer side, then later more removed due to positivity, but I have bi-lateral lymphedema.

    There are a number of certified lymphedema therapists in SC, I am not sure where you are located but these came up with a simple Google search -

    https://muschealth.org/medical-services/pt-ot/pt/lymphedema-management

    https://anmedhealth.org/services/additional-services/rehabilitation/lymphedema-center

    https://hopelifeandlymphedema.com/hope-services/

    https://cocoon-wellness.com/

    https://makalanilmt.net/

    Here is the listing in LANA-CLT - I used my mother/father-in-laws zip code in Beaufort SC and used a 150 mile radius.

    https://clt-lana.org/therapists?radius=150&zip=29902

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