Just a thought, if she's had lymph nodes out, she could do damage if dogs pull on that arm ..  I can't even carry shopping with that arm any more ... jbains given you some good info ... get her oncology teams advice before she starts that again ... Chrissie 

Hello Jc2209. It's probably way too late for your partner now, but I had my surgery two weeks ago (tumour removed and lymph nodes removed from under my arm).  I have been in agony with a large seroma of lumph building up under my armpit every 48 hours or so.  The BCN has drained it twice now. My body is so far resisting readjusting regards lymph production! I couldn't wear a bra at all. But I bought some M & S cotton camisole vest tops which have a bust support 'shelf'.  These have been better than not wearing any support at all. Someone on the M&S customer review said that she had purchased them for the same (post breast cancer surgery) reason. She advised to buy at least one size above your normal size to accommodate sore and swollen boobs and other swollen tissue. I would agree that a size bigger than your normal size is beneficial. 

I wanted to post this in case it is useful for anyone else as it has sort of worked for me.

I hope your partner has recovered and is progressing with her treatment.

KTG

Hi, I know it's a few years ago that you posted but I'm having exact same problem. It's been over three weeks since my op and the burning sensitivity under and around my arm doesn't appear to be getting any better. How long did your wife have it before it got any better? 

Hi Kayjay,

I am sorry to hear about your problems, but it is very early days yet. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 11 years and have had a lumpectomy, followed by a double mastectomy a year later. I followed my exercise regme to the letter of the law, but must say that I have nowhere near the same strength as I had before surgery.

I have also developed bilateral lymphoedema in both arms, so cannot lift anything heavy and am still aware of discomfort, especially in my right breast and underarm. This is the breast that has has two operations, whereas, I've only had one in my left. I also cannot have any blood taken from my arm or hands and, have to have this, plus any injections/procedures done in my lower limbs.

I'm inclined to agree with Chriss that  'maybe it never goes quite so strong as before?'

I hope that this all settles down for you eventually.

Kind regards,
Jolamine xx

Hello Kajay8. I hope that you are a little bit better than when you posted. It's a very slow process which may take months or years.  I'm afraid you will need to grit your teeth and bare the pain for a while.  Keep doing the arm exercises and gentle walking/exercise if you can get out. Exercise is the absolute key and combined with fresh air and all those dopamines and chemicals that we get from the outside is so good for us.  Hopefully your pain will start to ease slowly over the coming months. My surgery was Oct 18.  I walked most days after surgery and during chemo/radiotherapy.  I used argon oil on the scars as soon as they had propeprly healed and still use it now two years down the line.  I found and still find that wearing different types of bra or support vest during the day helps to reduce the discomfort. By the evening I can still be rather uncomfortable and often swap into a bra vest (M&S) or nothing at all (bliss) for the evening.  I went back to the gym to do exercise classes - mostly yoga fitness yoga pilates etc - once I was over all the chemo crap and radiotherapy. That sort of class really helped me to get that particular bit of my body, but also the rest of me into better condition. I am really missing the yoga type stuff during lockdown. I did the couch to 5k running course in Dec/Jan 19/20 - that was about 15 or 16 months after the original surgery and  I also ride a bike regularly which is great. I do find that even two years down the line, I need at least a  day of rest between exercising, although I am sure that if I was getting a yoga/body balance type class once a week that would go a long way to sorting out all my aches and pains.  Mind you, I'm retired and 60, so maybe my body is just old and needs to pace itself these days. Be brave, take care, exercise a bit and rest a lot. Eat healthy and enjoy the little things in life. It must be even more stressful going through all this during this lockdown situation. Much love and lots of support for what you are going through.  KTG.

Hi thanks for that advice! I too am having severe intermittent pain from my underarm sentinel lymph node surgery, day 16 now, breast was no problem healing but this pain and swelling around the underarm wound  is quite   severe, is it too early to expect  to stop taking pain relief, have my follow up next week and biopsy results and will discuss with the consultant. I find it eases if I hold my arm abovemy head! 

Hi RoLailEm,

A very warm welcome to our forum. I have just found your post and realised that nobody has replied to you yet. It is perfectly normal to feel pain in the armpit after your operation. However, if it is getting worse and feels as if it's swelling, give your breast care nurse a phone and ask for her advice, as you could have an infection.

I hope that this pain settles down for you soon. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi, I am day 12 now and experiencing the same kind of pain you describe. Can you remember how longest it lasted? 

Hi Harriet 

I had full auxiliary node clearance in august , I'm now having pain no bra is comfy I find wearing a boob tube bra the best no straps if I wear a bra all day I'm in agony in the night x