Aa
pain/discomfort 6 months post surgery
my right mastectomy was 6 months ago, and the scar/armpit area seems to be recovering OK in terms of stiffness & discomfort. About 2-3 weeks ago, the area seemed to be a bit more stiff. When i sneezed, I would feel a jab in that area under my armpit.
I've been told the fascia needs to be loosen at my scar area, and that the lymphatic fluid needs to find an alternate route to drain since I had axillary node dissection and removal of 2/3 or my nodes.
The arm pit area towards the back is poofy... the scar that ends at the arm pit seems stiff still and the scar area on top of my chest is still somewhat stiff.
I'm not sure if the discomfort is normal, or if this is the start of lymphedema -- my arm seems to be OK.
I massage the area morning and night. I do the stretching exercises morning and night. When i lie down, my back near the should blade area is uncomfortable...it was not that way before.
Should I buy a sleeve to wear prophylactically during the day?
Should I be concerned??!! I was hoping the discomfort would ease over time, vs increasing. With the increased massage to loosen the fascia, is this contributing to the discomfort? When I wake up in the morning, my armpit and shoulder blade area is uncomfortable...i need to stretch and massage the area and then it eases up a bit.
I'd love to hear the experiences of other and from the experts!!
I've been told the fascia needs to be loosen at my scar area, and that the lymphatic fluid needs to find an alternate route to drain since I had axillary node dissection and removal of 2/3 or my nodes.
The arm pit area towards the back is poofy... the scar that ends at the arm pit seems stiff still and the scar area on top of my chest is still somewhat stiff.
I'm not sure if the discomfort is normal, or if this is the start of lymphedema -- my arm seems to be OK.
I massage the area morning and night. I do the stretching exercises morning and night. When i lie down, my back near the should blade area is uncomfortable...it was not that way before.
Should I buy a sleeve to wear prophylactically during the day?
Should I be concerned??!! I was hoping the discomfort would ease over time, vs increasing. With the increased massage to loosen the fascia, is this contributing to the discomfort? When I wake up in the morning, my armpit and shoulder blade area is uncomfortable...i need to stretch and massage the area and then it eases up a bit.
I'd love to hear the experiences of other and from the experts!!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dear merlot777, The answer provided by japdip is right on target.
From experience: You might consult a Physical Therapist who is treained in the treatment of Lymphedema for an evaluation. If the discomfort and slight swelling is in the underarm area a sleeve probably wouldn't help much. There is a certain type and pattern of massage specifically for LE. I don't believe that having some discomfort 6 months post-op is all that unusual and we must always be aware of the possibility of developing LE when the lymphatic system has been comprimised.I still do some stretching exercises and still have some occasional disomfort; 6 yrs. post-op.
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