Chronic pain following Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer surgery, chemo and radiation

[FlowerPreciousLover]

Is this normal? I'm new here and asking for my closest friend. Lymph nodes were removed and pain is underarm and continuous since lumpectomy.

Oncologist prescribed antibiotic for recent breast infection but did no tests and said nothing can be done to relieve the continuous pain which has been ongoing since initial surgery, treatment and to get "used to it". Swelling and temp from infection is cleared but pain continues.

Have others found some type of relief from or help for the pain? 4-5 months now since surgery and treatment. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Hidden]

Hi FlowerPreciousLover --

Gosh, you are such a wonderful friend!

I do not have experience with what you're describing but I understand that removing the axillary (near the breast/underarm) lymph nodes can cause nerve damage/pain. And so it makes sense that there really is not much that can be done for that pain....

...okay, I wanted to be sure that I wasn't giving bad information and found this great write-up along with things that can be done.

breastcancernow.org/informa...

[Hidden]

Has your friend had physical therapy? That might give her relief. I was also lucky to find a massage therapist — not PT — who specializes in myofascial work. Got rid of extreme tightness in implant and loosened tight scar tissue under my arm.

[FlowerPreciousLover in reply to Hidden]

Not yet but after doing a great deal of reading and printing out of information, I think when given the information printed out along with your suggestion, physical therapy may be her first choice when talking with her pcp. She also has a massage therapist and can talk with her as well. Thank you!

[mariootsi]

I'm going to suggest physical therapy. I had it with my first dx and it really helped!

[FlowerPreciousLover]

Thank you mariootsi for your suggestion. I still can't get over her oncology surgeon not suggesting something to help and hoping my friend will follow up with her primary doc. who has been her doc for many, many years and still believes in putting the patient first.

[Arisgram]

I'm sorry your friend is in pain. My mastectomy was 9 years ago followed by more than 30 reconstructive procedures. I haven't had a day without pain since the initial surgery.

My remedy is compression garments. I wear a Lymphediva tattoo sleeve and a Spanx camisole everyday. It doesn't completely solve the problem, but it helps. Nothing else seems to.

I hope she finds some relief...and finds a more compassionate physician.

Andi

[FlowerPreciousLover in reply to Arisgram]

Thank you, Arisgram. I'll share your suggestions and wish she'd find another oncologist, too!

[myrtice]

I had my double mastectomy 6 months ago. The 2 lymph nodes removed area was the only pain and the drainage tubes not bad as I only took 1 pain pill. I did exercises with my arms because of stiffness from the lymph node removal. Very slowly walking my fingers up the wall. Each day I would try to go a little further. It’s all good now.

[FlowerPreciousLover in reply to myrtice]

Myrtice, thank you for the suggestion. I will encourage my friend to get to p.t. for help!

[RLN-overcomer]

Greeting : Sister/Warrior we all have different levels of pain thresh holds. I thank God for the physical therapy I had, which was called walking the wall with your fingers. I also took a natural anti-inflammatory capsule for the pain. Actually my lymph node removal arm is more flexible than my right unaffected strong arm. You will have to push through the sometimes painful therapy to get at least your full flexibility that you had prior to the lymph node removal surgery. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Holy days, and if I missed any Seasons Greetings. XoXoXoXoX

[FlowerPreciousLover]

RLN-overcomer, thank you for your rec. for p.t. and "walking the wall". Will share them with my friend along with your cheerful "Happy" wishes which brightened my morning!