We are currently investigating the incidence and management of post-mastectomy pain. This appears to be an aspect of mastectomy surgery that is seldom mentioned or discussed and treatment of the condition can be somewhat random. If you have any experience of recurrent pain from mastectomy surgery and/or have received treatment for the condition, we would be very interested to hear from you. If you would prefer not to leave a comment below, please call or e-mail.
I had the same issue – pain due to nerve damage. it took me 9 years of going round different doctors/hospital departments to find a great doctor at the Pain clinic at the Western General in Edinburgh who had a real interest in Post Mastectomy pain syndrome. I would really recommend getting a referral to your local Pain clinic. I found acupunture really helped and now I have a new treatment which is a Capsacin patch which really helps.
I have had nerve pain across my bilateral mastectomy scar and down half my right arm since surgery in June 2009. I was told, “You shouldn’t have pain!” which was not very helpful. The sharp pains were somewhat relieved by Gabapentin or Lyrica, and now have reduced,but the crushing is unaffected by anything. Web sites were most helpful… to hear other women internationally talk of “hedghogsin the armpits” and know precisely what was meant! It reassured me I was not insane, nor alone in this type of pain!
I have to say though, I have yet to meet any woman with it, but I live in Far North Queensland, not a metropolis. Neither the Cancer Council nor Breast Cancer Network Australia gave me any information, and seemed unaware of this problem.
What chemo I had, [cut short.. 4/16], caused peripheral neuropathy, with dreadful pain in my hands in 2010. It seems to be working its way through my calves and feet now. They burn and feel swollen even when no swelling is visible, and my right ankle seems to “collapse” without warning.
For the chest pain I tried morphine, methadone, tramadol, massage, hot and cold packs, TENS machine, exercises etc. I attended for 2 weeks a live-in pain clinic. I now do my best to “ignore it”, as there seems little hope of a “cure”. However I do stay on the lookout, just in case!
Hi, I had a double masectomy july 2008, and while I am glad to be alive I wish that I did not have to deal with the pain that I’ve had. My doctor says that he has been doing this surgery for 15 years and no one else has ever had pain. No one seems to know what I can do about it. I have tried acupuncture, exercise, essential oils, etc. Lyrica has helped some. Time has helped too, but nothing has fixed the problem completely. Using my upper body muscles seems to make it worse. Especially lifting anything over 15 pounds. I live in the United States, so you see this is a problem all over the world.