After pains from lymph node removal

Hi. I've had my lymph nodes removed at same time and lumpectomy. 3 and half years ago. Still have lots of nerve pain. Arm feels like it's in a vice at times. Tendons feel stretched beyond their limits. Often tight dwellings under arm. Is this natural after surgery. I know it takes time but ..... tx

  • Welcome to the Cancer Chat forum Catlady although I'm sorry you're still experiencing a lot of pain since your surgery 3 years ago. It must be very frustrating.

    Hopefully some of our members who have had this procedure will share their advice and experiences with you soon but as it's worrying you maybe you could try booking an appointment to talk things through with your GP? Our cancer nurses are also available for a chat on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m. 

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Catlady

    Oh gosh how awful

    Ive got to.have all my lympth nodes removed  and a lumpectomy, this is worrying me now. 

    Hope i dont experience this , you poor lady 3yrs is a very long time to suffer  .I hope others who have had this procedure done who are not suffering can come on.and reasure me that this isnt always the case.

    But i do hope you can get some help, maybe some more physio mighr be needed. X

     

  • Hi there!

    Catlady,

    I would suggest that you raise this with your GP and also at your next open access follow up session as it sounds like you're suffering unnecessarily and am sure there's something that can & should be done to alleviate your pain.

    Jassoscared,

    To reassure you I had a lumpectomy LHS, mx RHS with separate op for RHS node clearance mid March this year, its is really uncomfortable to start with (though not painful for me) with the upper part of RHS arm left quite numb as nerves were cut (please ask if they will need to/are likely to do this to you as it was a surprise to me after the event!).  3 months on and discomfort is pretty much settled and the feeling in upper arm is definitely returning..amazing how the body rebuilds & recovers after such trauma!

    Now all I need is for seromas to be reabsorbed, but these are more annoying than anything else.

    Good luck to you both

    Sam

  • I too had a lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed just over 2 years ago. I did all the exercises and still do and even changed my job to a manual job to help strengthen and use my arm more which helped to start with however it seems worse at the moment than when I had the surgery. I was going to the gym and using machines which definitely helped however obviously closed at the moment due to COVID-19.

  • Hey my lovely I had a mastectomy and full lymph node removal I had it on the 2nd of December so just a month and I'm fine no pain other then a weird touch pain to the skin as the nerves knit back together but it's not bad I have full movement it's so important to do the physio I used to do my own by watching TV and putting my arms behind my hard leaning back so it wasn't a continuous thing also cleaning , the same movemts as the physio , also you get no pain after the mastectomy as it's numb as the nurves have been cut , it is what it is but you have to just adapt, I have just cut my grass ...as bored lol and used edging shears I can do everything I did before the op, your body tells you when to stop.dont let you veryone wrap you in cotton wool I'm well because I wash up put things in the cupboard make my bed, I honestly think that's why I'm doing so well I was out walking two days after surgery , also I'm overweight I had put on alot when having chemo , so please don't read posts and get scared it's ok xxx

  • Hi,, I had lumpectomy and sentinel nodes removed 15 days ago, tumour  wound no problem at all, just been taking paracetamol, but the underarm  wound is very uncomfortable and severe shooting pains, is this normal after 2 weeks? I like you, was  out and about and do all my usual light house work as live alone, agree the general jobs are equal to physio. 

  • Hi my name Sandra I go into hospital 17 march to have left breast removed and lymph node removed I'm so scared is it painful after operation

  • Thank you I've just found your post and you have really out me at ease, I had a lump removed and 4 lymph nodes removed on Tuesday the wounds themselves seem fine and don't hurt but my upper are is so numb, the exercises are good I can do them no problem, I'm hoping the numbness goes down soon as it is really uncomfortable, I'm overweight so reading all the info about lymphoedema scare me and worried the numbness is a sign of this even tho I only had surgery 4 days ago

  • I got operation on. 17 th march I'm still having lot of pain trying to raise my arm I've to get radiotherapy but I have to get CT scan on 15 th I know I won't be able to lift arm arm I'm worried about radiotherapy 

  • Hi

    I had masectomy and lymph node removal followed by chemo and radiotherapy. Recovered quite quickly from surgery. I did my exercises and now can function normally, just a tightness around the scar. Radiotherapy is not painful at all and lasts a short time each session. I did get some redness of the skin but was given dressings and it soon healed . The nurses will look after you. You've come a long way and you'll soon be through it all

    Best wishes

    Silver