painful breast 2yrs post lumpectomy

Hi!  I was diagnosed with breast cancer 2yrs ago and after lumpectomy i received 6 doses of chemo/25 rads/ and now tamoxifen (adverse reaction to arimidex) as it had spread to lymph nodes. I had a clear mammogram two months ago and the doctors/surgeon etc say everything is fine, however the pain is becoming unbearable and is now even sore when i walk,drive and especially after i eat (strange).  I am extremely worried and coming to the end of my tether with the pain but i don't want to bother anyone as i have been told it is fine. Can you throw any light on this or any reasonable explanations, I really am struggling? Thanks for listening, sque.


This discussion is related to hardening of scar tissur.

[zouzi]

Hi,
So sorry that you are having so much pain,but this is not an uncommon problem. It's a common phenomenon in at least 25 percent of women.Generally, when they have this syndrome, women will feel a lot of pain, numbness, and burning under the armpit and across the chest. Most of the time this occurs because of injury to a nerve. Commonly, there's a nerve called the Intercostal Brachial nerve, which is injured during surgery.

These sensations can last for a long period of time, and can actually occur anywhere from weeks after the surgery itself, to years later. Women who experience this pain should be seen in a pain center,because there are some nerve blocks that can be done. In particular, one that is sometimes helpful would be the Stellate Ganglion Block, which would be done by an anesthesiologist trained in pain medicine.

The other thing worth thinking about and considering ,would be acupuncture,many women seem to find relief rather quickly.
Best wishes and I hope that you'll feel better soon.

[sque]

Thanks for the comments Zouzi, and sorry to take so long to reply but I'm still finding my feet on this website. Your explanation sounds good but the pain seems to be deep seated into the middle of my breast (where the tumour was) so going to a pain centre could be helpful.  I am now going to research Stellate Ganglion Block on line so many thanks for the info once again.  Kind regards, susieque, x

[zouzi]

Hi again..
I am glad to know that you are going to a pain clinic to see what can be done about the pain you are experiencing.
I have added a link below,to get more information concerning the "Intercostal Brachial nerve) which could  have been injured during your surgery.
I truly hope that soon you'll be able to get some relief.

http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/90/10/731

Take care and good luck...