Sorry to hear you have been and are suffering so much, it realy is not fun at all, is it.

I suppose the only bit of good news is that you are seeing someone on Monday so you can hopefully find a solution then. In the meantime, all I can suggest is trying to distract yourself with family and friends plus hopefully receiving great advice from the wonderful poeple you will find here. 

I'm sorry to say that I do not any answers for you but can only recount my own experience, which at least shows that it cannot be all that unusual. Not very comforting I realise but at least I can confirm that you are not on your own in this..

I recently had bilateral WLE and SNB and found that all the way through the initial tests and procedures and now during the post op recovery that my left side has been far more troublesome than the right, even though it contained the lower grade cancer of the two.

I am currently 4 weeks post op and while my right side is doing well, I have so far had a large seroma in my left armpit, which thankfully is now subsiding,but just in time for what I suspect is cording beginning to develop in the same place. Also the scar on my left breast is taking longer to heal than the right side did.

I too would be interested to know if there is a straight forward reason why there is such a difference in reaction between the two sides but I suspect it may just be down to "luck of the draw".

Take care and lots of luck with the doctor on Monday. I hope they provide some bloody good pain relief for you. xx

Thanks for taking the time to reply, much appreciated.  I am trying to distract myself, as you suggest, and it really is the only solution at present.  That really is very good advice for anyone struggling with pain.  It is helpful to know that having such different reactions is not unusual.  Thank you.

Hi, Vivien, I, too, have a burniig pain in my back.  It isn't there all the time but is quite debilitating when it is.  My doctors have no idea what it is either.  I only have paracetamol.so I try to grit my teeth and put up with it, but its not easy, is it!  Good luck with the chemo, my very best wishes to you.

Gosh, you are really not having a good time are you, I am so sorry.

Good idea to call your nurse though and I hope she can see you asap. I have my fingers crossed that she can sort something out for you. xx

   I spoke to my breast care nurse and she managed to organise an appointment with my surgeon.  

   He thinks the pain is being caused by a haematoma where the drain was positioned so there is swelling and some bruising causing pressure at the site.  

   This should resolve itself in time as my body heals.  At least now I have an explanation and that is always helpful.  I hope this is useful to other people.

   Thanks for your interest and concern.

Hi there,

Glad you were able to see the consultant so quickly,and that he had an answer for you..

As you say, knowing the reason for the pain is half the battle.

Hope you start to feel better really soon xx

Thank you x

Hello again

I have discovered another reason for the pain.  It has become apparent that I have severe truncal cording that runs in a vertical line from my drain hole site down to my waist.  It feels like a piano wire but I hadn't read about any cording apart from in the arms and armpits and didn't realise it could be elsewhere.  That was only diagnosed when I emailed a breast care nurse with a description of the pain that was preventing me from exercising my arm and she phoned me to discuss it at length.  Her advice to gently massage the cords regularly has been very useful.  Hope this helps others.

Best wishes x

Hi Vivien,

That's great news, at least you now know what's causing it and can finally do something to help relieve the pain. I was lucky with mine and it was in my armpit and went away after a few days so fingers crossed for you that the mssaging wil do the trick. x

Thanks for caring, Susu

x

Hi Vivien,

Just checking to see how you are getting on, I really hope things have become a little easier for you? Take care  Sue x

Hello Sue

I had my first chemo on Thursday and was admitted to hospital in an ambulance on Friday morning as I was so poorly.  Just home and catching up with a few emails, will let you know how things go when I have more energy.  Still breathing in and out!

Thanks for the care

Vivien

Hello Sue

I had my first chemo on Thursday and was admitted to hospital in an ambulance on Friday morning as I was so poorly.  Just home and catching up with a few emails, will let you know how things go when I have more energy.  Still breathing in and out!

Thanks for the care

Vivien

Hi, so sorry you are havng such a hard time...

Will be thinking of you and yes, please keep breathing in and out !!

Look foward to hearing from you when you are more up to it.  Take good care  Sue xx

Hi, Vivien, so sorry to hear you have had a set back and do hope that you are feeling better now. I am sure you are very tired but, when you are feeling up to it, please let us know how you are.  With my best wishes. x

Feeling human again after a rough 10 days.  Next chemo June 4tth.  The sun is shining, the birds are singing, no nausea, still have hair, eating and drinking reasonably well.  Thanks for the care

Vivien x

Hi Vivien, that's great, so glad to hear you are feeling a bit better now. Enjoy the sunshine and fingers crossed the next batch doesn't hit you so hard. Take good care  Sue xx