Pain in Arm after mastectomy

Its been 2 months since I got operated[mastectomy]17 nodes were removed and were found negative.All pain killers available in the market are doing nothing to this stretching and tearing pain in my arm.It starts from where one my drains had been attched to my 2 middle fingers, all through the arm., i have even started seeing a physiotherapist.Can anyone tell me what to do?I m very good swimmer,i would like to swim again in my life,please can someone tell me about how long this may last.I feel desperate.My chemo has started and if i wouldn't have this pain, i would be like a totally healthy person.Please help.:(
Friends told me what I have is cording, but what should I do to make it better, even excercising is doing nothing now.

[katarina777]

It is normal, amrine, to have these problems two months, and longer, after mastectomy and removal of lymph nodes. That does not mean theta every one suffers exactly the same or the same length of time.

It is good that you are working with a PT (Physical Therapist) but that also takes time.

When you speak of all 'market painkillers', are you referring to over the counter drugs or also prescription painkillers? Because you may still need to use something stronger than OTC drugs.

Sometimes also, there is little pain after surgery but more pain a few months later, and that is because nerves that were cut and damaged are recuperating.

Hope this helps! Recovery takes a while.  Best, Katrin

[katarina777]

Chemo can also cause problems with pain, some more than others. And if you are getting a shot of something like Neulasta the day after chemo, then that can also cause bone pain.

[SueYoung55]

Stretching 10 minutes twice a day and massaging the scar tissue should help tremendously with the cording. Swimming can help too, start very slowly, gradually stretch more & do more strokes as your body allows. By the time you're back to 30 laps the cording should be gone.

Best wishes.

[amrine]

Thank you so much for all you advices,I hope swimming will help.thx for being there.