Lingering aches + pins & needles?

I have the same--about 6 weeks ahead of you. My experience with another surgery is that it takes about a year to totally heal. My surgeon recommended arnica cream and that helped me. I also do a lot of gentle stretching. Ask your doc if it is ok to take some OTC pain killers if you need them--if you have a very long day or need to get through something special without pain. Basically I'd counsel an attitude of optimistic acceptance, if that makes sense. Wishing you the best.

Nerves take a while to rejuvenate (months to over a year) I've been told by my Dr & also my PT. Physical Therapy has helped me tremendously - you'll be instructed on stretching exercises & other techniques you can do at home.

My lumpectomy for ILC was Dec 22 and I finished radiation in Jan 23. I too have pins/needles feeling, numbness and hardening of skin more on edge near armpit. My next scan is full year since last mammo and am told it is because tissue must heal. I'm not sure we will ever feel the same in the radiation area. I am most worried about skin cancer in the radiation area as I have had melanoma (clean margins) 5 years ago but derm said any impact from radiation won't present for many years. At 57 yrs I'm hoping I can beat any further melanoma. Anyone have skin cancer from radiation? xoxo

annieisland @annieisland, @mir123
It took about a year for those electric shock/pins and needles to go away. The surgeon explained that was all the nerves that were cut healing. As for the hardening of the skin, check with your PT to see if they can suggest a swell spot to wear under a compression bra. I use mine every so often which helps soften the area that was hardened by scar tissue and radiation and also aids in breaking down any clogged lymphs.

@annieisland, have you noticed any improvement over the past couple of weeks? How are you doing?

Thanks for asking, but I haven’t really felt any improvement. My primary care physician said that nerves can take up to 1 yr to repair themselves (and I have a follow up appt w/ the surgeon in a few weeks so I’ll ask her about it as well).

I also was told the electric shock/pins and needles were the nerves regenerating, and would take about a year to heal and the pain to stop. It’s 9 months now since my lumpectomy (no lymph nodes involved) and I stopped feeling that pain about a month ago. It tapered off over that time, especially in the last few weeks. It is not the new normal, so take heart! Good luck in your recovery.

I had a single mastectomy. I have an implant and a breast lift. I am experiencing a sensation of electric shocks across my chest- both breast areas. It is intermittent, but when it starts, it is about 3 minutes. Then it goes away.
I can't bring it on... it just happens. Does this happen to anyone else?

This is normal, it’s the nerves grow back together

@edwendt, I moved your post about electric shocks across your chest following a mastectomy to this related discussion where members like @catbuddy @healinhand @annieisland @trixie1313 @babs25 and @mir123 share their experiences.

- Lingering aches + pins & needles?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lingering-aches-pins-needles/
How long ago did you have your surgery?