axillary node removal symptoms help

Hi all
just a quick question,
Has anyone found a way of reducing the weird tingling, numb, crawling sensation in their arm after lymph node removal, it has only been a week since my surgery but am finding this to be the most annoying symptom at the moment...any suggestions to ease or minimise this would be gratefully received.
Thanks
Twinkle

[zouzi]

Hi Twinkle,
Yes,the symptoms you describe is a normal occurrence.When we have surgery on any part of the body it can happen, because there are tiny nerves that are damaged during the procedure.
The axilla area is not unique when it comes to nerve damage that can radiate in the arm.  
Surgeons are careful to avoid damage to important nerves,but sometimes superficial ones are damaged without the surgeon even being aware that they are there.Nerves that have been severed,take quite sometime to heal.
In your case Twinkle,the symptoms are more felt because you had a complete axillary lymph nodes dissection.
Please call your Surgeon for advice on how to minimize these unpleasant sensations .We as members, cannot give you any advice that might be contrary to what your Breast Surgeon recommends in your particular case.
I hope you'll feel better soon!...
Best wishes...

[Tinabudde]

Hi twinkle, ahhh that is the worse, it's a creepy crawley feeling.  It's sort of a neuropathy type feeling.  It's hard because it's a fresh surgery, you are still healing so pain rubs in the area aren't good due to infection risk.  Have you had much swelling?  When my mother was healed we started doing the capasaicin cream and also using biofreeze pain cream as well.  

[twinkle2000]

hi, not had much swelling at all but am being religious with the exercises, i get my prognosis today and find out if the cancer has spread so am feeling a bit nervous at the moment, thank for the suggestions, will speak to my nurse today
Twinkle x

[zouzi]

Capasaicin cream is a good cream to relieve nerve damage,but please talk to your surgeon about it today,so that he/she can prescribe the right dosage for you.This cream contains the active ingredient in chili peppers and can cause an uncomfortable burning sensation in the area if the dosage is not the right one for you.
Other side effects could include coughing and skin redness. Higher doses can cause pain, inflammation, and skin blisters.
BioFreeze is also a good temporary pain relief gel,but it can cause a rash and irritation if you have a sensitive skin.So please talk to your physician just to be safe.

Take care...

[bluebutterfly2222]

Hi twinkle,

Just wanted to let you know you are in my thoughts today, as you wait for your results and prognosis.

Wishing you all the best,
bluebutterfly