Yes, I do.
Actually, I point blank asked the question at my last Medical Oncology appointment and the answer was....that I may continue to have this pain which at times is sharp and stabbing in my underarm or aching ongoing for years.
Why? related to the surgery and the damage to the nerves and the removal of lymph nodes.
I am 4.5 years post surgery. So, I do all my normal housework. I also do daily range of motion (ROM) as well which I think is helping my every day function.
@A MyBCTeam Member......Hi Sue. About the only bad side effect I don't have is lymphadema. Fortunately when I had the armpit lymph nodes removed in 2024 they did the lymph node bypass at the same time. I've been high risk of lymphadema ever since the double mastectomy in 2017 and I have taken measures for years to prevent it. One big thing is never letting anyone take my blood pressure with an electric cuff or on my upper arm. My blood pressure is always taken manually on my left wrist since my left side has had less surgeries. The only time I am required to use an electric cuff is during surgery and then they have to place the cuff on my ankle and they aren't allowed to hit the "on" button until I'm knocked out.
What I do have is post mastectomy pain syndrome along with massive amounts of nerve damage, scar tissue, missing muscle tissue, and neuropathy. I get all types of nerve pains in my chest and armpit like shooting, stabbing, electric, phantom nipple/breast pain, etc. I also have muscle spasms, function with less than 50% range of mobility on both sides, and deal with iron bra syndrome. It doesn't help matters any either since I've had my gallbladder removed along with half of my right kidney because those 2 surgeries left me with lots of scar tissue and nerve damage below my right breast. Every time I have surgeries I tell my surgeons to cut out whatever scar tissue they can, but I'm just prone to developing thick keloid like scars internally. My most painful scars are from the aftermath of the drainage tubes.
I've had physical therapy a couple times which doesn't help me. My upper body can't tolerate having both physical therapy and doing normal daily activities so me and my doctor have come to an agreement that I need to do normal daily activities like showering, cooking, and some house keeping and take frequent breaks. Despite all this I am fairly active and I'm the type that does more than I really should and then pay the price and regret it afterwards. As long as I take my meds I can physically move around and do what I need to do within reason, but my days of heavy duty physical labor are over with.
Oh wow! I had my left breast removed 7 months ago and so far so good. I finally have full range of motion, can lift my arm straight up and above my head, no pain. Only issue I have is with excess fluid build up
Me too... every day. Massage and stretch.
Yes, I do. Anytime I vacuum, mop, clean anything at all, my underarm hurts where they removed the lymph nodes. I think it's a given....................