pain after lymph node removal

ktwist
ktwist Member Posts: 70
edited July 2014 in Lymphedema
Just wondered...how long did it hurt others in armpit area after lymph nodes were removed? Also, has anyone experienced pain behind arm on back or on the back side of the arm? I had surgery only a week and a half ago, so maybe this is all normal, but I have an area that is totally numb still and the other parts on the upper arm are ultra sensitive to touch. Also, I get very sharp pains going down my arm and behind my armpit on my back. Anyone else have this? One more thing...how long until you can lift light things again? I can't seem to lift anything without pain...even laundry. Only a tiny bit of swelling. Thanks-

Karen
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Comments

  • Lhunhen
    Lhunhen Member Posts: 96
    edited June 2006
    Karen,

    It does get better with time. I had my SNB in April and it did take time to feel better. I am still numb in the armpit but not as bad as when I first had the surgery. Also those shooting pains your talking about do get less. Every once ina while (especially if I'm sleeping on that side) it will not feel good for a little bit.

    When you go back to see your surgeon they will give you exersices to do to help get your arm muscles back to working. Do them as they do help. I have total movement in my arm now.

    Take care and give it some time. It will get better. (smile)
    Cathy
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2006
    Karen-

    My surgery was June 5 and I still have some pain. I have numbness in my armpit...I have the "electric shock" pains you're talking about...my surgeon says that's the nerves knitting back together and coming to life!! My skin is also extremely sensitive...surgeon also told me this was normal.

    I have a question...when did you have your surgery and WHY are you doing laundry??? LMAO

    Hugs,
    Peggy
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  • Sandra1957
    Sandra1957 Member Posts: 1,701
    edited June 2006

    Quit doing the laundry. My drains stayed in for 3 weeks and the mast. surgeon continued draining by needle for another 3 weeks. Started doing laundry at 2 weeks post bi-lat. as I felt so good, but was too much. When I saw the PS at 4 weeks post bi-lat. for my first consult. he told me not to do anything for two weeks and see if the drainage stops. He knew that my right side was draining more cc's because I'm right handed and was doing more with my right side. Even lifting the detergent container was too much. I

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  • ktwist
    ktwist Member Posts: 70
    edited June 2006
    ha...so I take it that's a NO on the laundry? I actually started doing in only a few days after surgery...but only lifted with the "ok" arm. It was a pain because it took so long doing it that way so I started using both...hence the problems. You know, 4 kids and a husband who is a contractor (hence "lots" of laundry) and things add up. I guess everyone will have to start pitching in. The most difficult part is my 3 year old who is trying so hard to be good..but still wants to jump into mommy's arms. (who is sitting on my lap right now..ha) I guess I will have to try to let things heal. I'm happy that the symptoms sound pretty normal. Thanks-
    Karen
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  • windygail
    windygail Member Posts: 7
    edited June 2006
    my surgery was in Oct 2005 and still get pain now especially after lifting (without realising), the numbness is still in armpit - it takes about 1 year after surgery to get proper feeling but not everyone gets full feeling so prob something to just get used to. Keep doing arm exervises to stop fluid building up and remember to protect your arm from scratches and burns to avoid lymphodema.

    Hugs

    Gail
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  • Lhunhen
    Lhunhen Member Posts: 96
    edited June 2006
    Karen,

    (smile) Yes, I would not be doing the laundry so soon. Take it easy in the lifting and putting too much strain on that arm. The numbness is a strange feeling for sure.

    Have you seen your surgeon for your post of visit yet?

    Cathy
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  • moogie
    moogie Member Posts: 499
    edited June 2006
    Hi! I had SNB and have had all manner of weird feelings in and around that arm. It seems to change as time goes on. My PS said there is a nerve involved in my case that has been excruciating and prevented me from opening even the fridge door with that arm.She has me massaging a big lump of scar tissue in the armpit that is near the nerve and exacerbating the pain. Apparently when the nerves heal it can resolve. Other sensations ( a creepy crawly thing on my side, an itching in an area that is completely numb from the outside, and sharp pins/needles like pain) seem to come and go with the healing process. a NURSE TOLD ME ITS THE NERVES " WAKING UP" from the ordeal. Everyone has told me that time is the best medecine, so I'm doing my best to be patient.Hope yours resolves soon!!!
    moogie
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  • ktwist
    ktwist Member Posts: 70
    edited June 2006
    Thanks moogie...it helps to know that these syptoms are nothing to worry about. I hope you start feeling back to normal soon too!

    Cathy, no...I have not had my post op appointment yet. My doc is out of town next week so I'm going the following week on the 12th. In the mean time, I'm just going to take others up on offers to help do the "big" stuff around the house. Thanks again!

    Karen
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  • jazziD
    jazziD Member Posts: 44
    edited August 2006
    I will be having an axillary node dissection Friday, August 25th... I wanted to know, what the drain is like and what I will have to do with it? empty it, etc... Also, I want to go back to work.. I have a job where I type, I don't have to lift anything, so is it possible to work within, say, a week after surgery? How do you find out about the exercises, from the doctor? I know I have a lot of questions, please forgive my rambling... but I would like to understand what's going on before the surgery, so that I will know what to expect. Please help ... Dee
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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited August 2006
    Hi, Dee, and welcome,

    Gee, you've got enough on your plate this week without having to apologize for asking questions! They're all good questions, and I'll try to answer what I can and trust others will be along too.

    The drains are longish tubes with bulbs on the end that draw out the accumulating fluid following surgery. You'll be taught to empty it, measure the drainage, and keep the fluid moving in it. Everybody agrees they're pesty and obnoxious, but try to think of them as your good friends, because they prevent even more obnoxious (and sometimes painful) fluid buildup that can lead to other troubles. They're a GOOD thing, and however you may feel about them after a couple of days or a couple of weeks, you definitely don't want them pulled early.

    You can find out about the exercises from your doctor or the nurse at the hospital, but you probably won't unless you ask them specifically. I believe the American Cancer Society also has a booklet about post-surg exercises, so call them up and ask for one (or ask your Reach to Recovery volunteer, if you have one).

    I don't know about going back to work -- do ask your surgeon. It will depend somewhat on YOU, since we're all different. Within a week after my surgery I would probably have been fine with it, though driving can be a trial.

    Small soft pillow for under the seat belt; a fanny pack to hold the drain bulbs; plenty of pillows to arrange around you when you get home; a long shoe lace or fabric bathrobe belt to tie around your neck when you shower to hang the drains on (if your surgeon lets you shower -- some don't); a couple of meals in the freezer; some good books or videos for while you're resting up afterward. It'll be good!

    And in the meantime, here's the web address of the National Lyphedema Network, where you'll find some guidelines for those of us who are now at risk for lymphedema (click on "Position Papers"):
    www.lymphnet.org
    Lots of great information there and, just like with bc, the more you know the quicker you regain control of your life.

    We'll be thinking of you on Friday, so let us know how it goes!
    Binney
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  • jazziD
    jazziD Member Posts: 44
    edited August 2006
    Thank you so much. This is great information. My surgeon's nurse called today and I will go in to see her tomorrow. She says she will go over the questions I asked about here, specifically the drain; and allthough it seems like it will be a challenging experience, I will be glad when this tumor/lymph node is removed. I will keep you posted and thanks for the suppport, it means a lot to me. Dee
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  • RenatheScot
    RenatheScot Member Posts: 6
    edited August 2006
    Hi Dee and everyone else......and my friend Gail xxxx
    I had a lumpectomy and 15 lymph nodes removed on 31st December 2005, initially I did not feel too much pain apart from the nerve endings which were real stingers...just got some good painkillers and took them for a time.....I had only one drain in while I was in the hospital and can honestly say I never felt it coming out. The nerve pains have stopped stinging now but I still have a numbness around the under arm area and the upper back of my arm. I took a touch of lymphadema in my breast where the lump was removed, I then saw a lymphatic nurse who taught my husband how to do the type of massage that would move the fluid to the other lymph nodes to ease it. It worked wonders. It is important that you keep the arm moving it really does help it even though its tender and you will feel it a bit tight, we all seem to hold it like a broken wing on a bird to start with. Dont do any lifting with the arm for a while and even when it starts to feel better take it easy after all you have had surgery and it will take some time to heal.
    I find even now I dont have as much strength in that arm as before but gradually it is getting stronger...keep exercising it....stretching it for a couple of minutes in all directions and eventually it will get easier to move.
    Stick in there Dee you will cope with it
    God Bless and hugs to you all
    Rena
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  • Lhunhen
    Lhunhen Member Posts: 96
    edited August 2006
    Rena,
    Quote:

    I took a touch of lymphadema in my breast where the lump was removed, I then saw a lymphatic nurse who taught my husband how to do the type of massage that would move the fluid to the other lymph nodes to ease it. It worked wonders.



    Can I ask you about this? How can you tell if it's lymphadema in the breast or the lump left by the surgery? I am only 4 months out from surgery and still get pains sometimes in the breast and under my arm. I had a total of 10 lymph nodes removed.

    Cathy
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  • RenatheScot
    RenatheScot Member Posts: 6
    edited October 2006
    HiCathy sorry never got back to you sooner. My breast is red and always has been since my surgery. It sort of swells up a bit and feels very heavy compared to the other side. Lymphadema sometimes has lumps in the breast but they do go with the massage. I still get some shooting pains in it but thats as far as I know "normal" for a while.
    It was settled down quite well until I had my rads and that flaired it up again but its beginning to get a lot easier now. I find I cannot not wear a bra of some kind even when in bed as the weight of the breast unsupported seems to pull on my scar and then it aches. So I have some nice soft but supporting bras.
    It is a long slow healing process but if your concerned why not have a wee word with your nurse they will be able to put your mind at ease
    keep well
    Rena
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  • try
    try Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2008

    I dont know where to start i found a lump under or around my armpit is lypnodes sore to touch .

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited February 2008

    Good morning, try, and welcome!

    I know you must be confused (and if you're anything like me, probably frightened too!Frown), but if you give us a bit more information I'd bet there are lots of women here who can help you get this sorted out. Have you had breast cancer? Are you in treatment now? What treatment have you had?

    I'll be thinking of you and hoping to hear back from you soon so we can all help steer you in the right direction. In the meantime, please don't worry too much, as there are many possible explanations for what you're describing that are easily treated and not any big problem.

    Be well!

    Binney 

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  • northern
    northern Member Posts: 31
    edited March 2008

    Hi, I just had a mastectomy one week wednesday.  I also had a lumpectomy/snb three weeks prior.  With the first op I had a lot of numbness and skin sensitivity.  The whole breast and underarm area was swollen.  On my visit to the surgeon for my pathology he examined and indicated all was normal and should subside with healing.  Now I have some pain from my ribcage to the back of my shoulder blade.  The incision sites are very swollen and appear to be filled with fluid.  I am seeing my new GP this afternoon for removal of my stitches.  As for housework, my family 19, 14, 12 year olds and a supportive husband have all taken over the chores.  About all I do is prepare supper.  ASK your family and friends to help you with these things.  Your healing is essential to your further treatments!  Feel better soon.

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  • anna47
    anna47 Member Posts: 62
    edited March 2008

    I had axillary lymphnode dissection on 1/3/08. I'm 8 weeks out now and still feeling numbness under my arm and on my upper back. I also have the nerve sensations- burning, tingling, sensitivity - underneath my upper arm. I still have some swelling and am seeing a certified lymphedema therapist. I have a compression sleeve and glove that I wear every day for now. I do stretching exercises and have lymphedema massages 2X a week for now. I also have a lot of tightness all the way around my affected shoulder and into my breast area. It almost feels like a vise around my shoulder/arm. Is this normal after surgery or is it the mild lymphedema I'm experiencing? My range of motion has improved and the swelling has reduced in my arm, but I still feel really tight around the shoulder. Anyone out there experienced that feeling? and does it get better?

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  • inspiewriter
    inspiewriter Member Posts: 876
    edited March 2008

    I am 2.5 years past last surgery and still have numb spots, and the occasional shooting pain.  My range of motion is much,much better than it was that first year after surgery!

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  • Carly68
    Carly68 Member Posts: 130
    edited March 2008

    yep you sound just like me mom (to the mark)....she is going through the same and her surgury was about 2 weeks also,,,every day is a new pain around that area.....

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  • tongeh
    tongeh Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2008

    yes i ve had those affects after my lymph node surgery iwent to hyperbarics for my therapy & i no longer have the same pains i did after my surgery i still have an occasional tingling like pain in my right arm & i was told to expect that for life because lymph nodes are nerve ends which i no longer have

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  • Summers
    Summers Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2008

    Hi

     I had surgery in Oct 2008, removed tumor, 18 nodes and a nerve.  I have not had any swelling in my arm, but I have pain in my breast, under arm and shoulder blade at times.  I do have alot of scar tissue that I am to message but it feels so gross not having feeling because of the nerve. 

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  • AliceJ
    AliceJ Member Posts: 1
    edited September 2008

    Yes, mine is painful too as you describe.  Mine is also not on the arm itself but on the BACK behind the arm.   Doesn't hurt much to touch but feels like a bad cut if I try to lie on it.  Simply can't.  In the daytime it just feels like a sunburn but is worse if I bend down to reach something. Just had lumpectomy, (2 breast lumps - 1/2 inch and 1 inch).  No radiation or chemo yet.  Haven't had it checked yet but will. 

    Over a month has passed and can't use massager to help it because sensitivity is too great. Need to return to work in a few days but really fear that constant heavy lifting all day long will worsen it tremendously.  It's very scary!  There are so many things to worry about aren't there  -- literally one thing after another in every aspect imaginable.  Not sure which torture is most, the physical or mental.   It didn't go to the lymph nodes but I still wonder many times, if the whole thing wouldn't have been best left alone.

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  • dukesm54
    dukesm54 Member Posts: 2
    edited September 2009

    This is my first time here and I'm so glad this forum is here.  I had a Lumpectomy on Sept 10th and they found cancer in my lymph nodes.  So of course they removed them.  As most of the women here.  I've had  surgery before like total knee replacement, gallbladder removal, three surgeries for vulva cancer so I'm not new to pain. The first few days I was recovering rather well but for the last 3 to 4 days WOW, It's bad. Not just under my arm but along the underside.  You know the flabby part.  Its almost impossible to get comfortable  to sleep.   IS THIS NORMAL?



     

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  • mind_boggling
    mind_boggling Member Posts: 21
    edited September 2009

    after reading all the discussions, i suddenly thought of my wife's drain after her left mastectomy with axilliary clearance done last 13th of Sept 2009... there were two drains and one drain was removed on the 3rd day post op and the second one was pulled out on day 4 since there were minimal drain on both drains. on the 5th day she was already discharged frm the hospital. how come you guys had the drains on for weeks? i'm afraid that there might be fluid accumulation on that area (left breast). actually she is doing execises on her arm just to prevent complications... please advise... thank you and God bless.

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  • Welga
    Welga Member Posts: 308
    edited September 2009

    Pain after lympnode removal is normal. Pain in the back of the arm also. I had PT and massages specially to help and it did. As far as I am concerned it took about 1 year to felle comfortable, but a lot of people recover quite faster. Good luck to all of you this place is great for informations, it has helped me a lot when recovering.

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  • grammyof4
    grammyof4 Member Posts: 11
    edited September 2009

    RenatheScot: I saw in your post of several years ago that you had redness in your breast. If you read this please let me know if it ever went away and how long it took as I have redness in mine also. I have been given several diagnosis, including lymphedima. Thank You grammyof4

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  • minnielee
    minnielee Member Posts: 9
    edited July 2014

    My surgery was june 2014,20 lympnodes removed all negative I will start chemo next week.  I to have a burning sensation in the back of my arm.guess what I do yoga , planks I do it all the numbness is getting better just keep on stretching it will get better. I am 68  had early stage 2bc all  was removed.  But at first they removed 3 nodes one was positive for carcinoma .I am feeling great .chemotherapy start July 31 and radiation after that.scared of the chemotherapy, but it is necessary to clean up anything that might be lingering. My doctor say  my goal is for cure. Thank god.durning surgery I had 20 nodes removed all negat

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