armpit nerve pain

20 years ago"1987", I had a semi radical mastectomy for an invasive ductal carsonoma.  Lymph nodes were removed, and there was no spread in the nodes.  I had no further treatment after surgery.
I am 71 yrs old now and have episodes of nerve pain in the armpit.  each year They become more severe and longer episodes.  My meds. include Gabapentin 600mg twice a day, Flouxetine 40 mg, Valtrex 500mg. twice daily for mouth sores.  Tylenol with Darvon for severe pain.
Inspite of guarding against lifting the wrong way or stretching, it hits out of the blue at least 3 or 4 times a year.
Am I doing all that I can do to avoid this severe stabbing burning pain that lasts about four days in a row each time.  
Thanks for listening.
Loie

[DrBhumikaMD]

Hi,
It could be a scar tissue formation post mastectomy but the time period in your case is much. You need to schedule an appointment with your physician and need to get yourself investigated at the earliest. You could try some OTC pain killers, massage therapy and some breast exercises alonwith hot compressus. These should help in decreasing the severity but you would still need to see your physician to get to the accurate diagnosis. Goodluck.

[sonu78]

Hi,
You are already been loaded with medications for your pain symptom. Further supplementation of the pain killers would serve no purpose.
Kindly have immediate meeting scheduled with your doctor and discuss with him about the future course opf action.

[Loie]

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment on my post concerning armpit pain.
As often as I have complained about my discomfort, I have not received any definite answers to follow up on.  The last time I asked my pain clinic doctor where I get the shots for pain in my arthritic spine, he said it would probably involve surgery to solve the problem.  However..I know I should start over with this issue with my family doctor, as each year the condition gets worse.
Thanks again.
Loie

[Loie]

Thanks for commenting on my problem.  I will be making an appointment with my family doctor.  I feel I have reinjured my arm in the past three days..I am holding my breath hoping I don't get an inflamed nerve attach.  It doesn't take much to hurt it because I don't like to exercise for fear of starting the pain.  I know I need to get further advice.
Thanks again,
Loie

[sonu78]

Hi,
How did you manage to sustain an injury to your armpit region.
A week's rest can probably help, but more than that it is unlikely to do good. Further, not using any joint region for a week or more would make it prone for stiffness of joint. Hence do not unnecessary immobilise.

[Loie]

The injury must have been derived from the sacrificing of the intercostial nerves during the Mastectomy.  The fact that I also suffer from a Fibromyalgia factor that governs the brain receptors for pain.  I have the surgeons report of the procedure, but after all this time it is hard to know why I get the nerve attack from the wrong moves with my arm.  Some times just leaning on my elbow too long, or lifting something too heavy.  I must admit that It frightens me to try the arm exercise for fear it will throw me into a week of inflamed burning and itching
Again, thanks,
Loie

[sonu78]

HI,
Appreciate your feedback.
The division of intercoastal nerves will cause a loss of sensation along the side of the arm.
Now since you had mastectomy and there were damage to the lymphatics you may experience post mastectomy lymphedema. This can also explain to some extent the pain on leaning over the elbow for too long.
Do have some multivitamins especially B-complex group as they are good for nerve related problems.

[Loie]

Thank you so very much!  I will buy a vitamin B-complex and give it a try.  I have not given thought to  lymphedema, as my arm has never had any signs of swelling.  However, for now I will hold that thought.  I do take a multivitamin..a Centrum siver, and I see that it has B-12, but I will try the B-complex also.
I hang on any ideas to prevent this extreme discomfort that comes unexpectedly too often.
Thank you, Thank you!
Loie

[sonu78]

Hi,
If you are taking centrum tablets then you do need a separate multivitamins as it contains most of them.
JUST LOOK FOR - VITAMIN B12, B6,B1,B2,B4

[Loie]

Thank you for that inf.  I shall do so.
Much appreciated!!
Loie

[sonu78]

Hi,
You are most welcome.

[shannonknight]

thanks for your post, I had breast reconstruction after bilateral mastectomy and under my right armpit, I am now in excruciating pain (nerve damage) I've been prescribed gabapentin, I'm on day 3 of the RX and I'm praying for relief. I cannot use arm at all without severe pain. I'll try hot compresses. Thank you every one for input!