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Tightness and swelling under arm after double mastectomy

Posted by jane2024 @jane2024, May 9 9:17am

Hi I had double mastectomy and went flat 4 weeks ago. Everything is fine except that I still fell tightness under arms, which areas are still a bit swollen although the nurse said that she did not think there is any fluid buildup. Otherwise I have no issues of moving my arms. I wanted to check if any of you have similar symptoms under the arms and how long it lasted. Many thanks!

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drummergirl | @drummergirl | May 11 12:23pm
In reply to @jane2024 "Thanks very much. I noticed that a seroma is developing on the left above the incision...." + (show)
@jane2024

Thanks very much. I noticed that a seroma is developing on the left above the incision. I only had the drain taken out this Monday, 4 weeks after the surgery. The drain on the right side was taken out earlier and there seems to be no issues. The fluid buildup does not seem a lot but it concerns me. Not sure what to do over the weekend. I will check with the doctor’s office on Monday. This is a never ending battle.

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I had needle extractions in the office and for most people 1 or 2 of those will clear up the seroma. It was not enough for my very persistent seroma. Mayo eventually had to do an image guided positioning of a drain for 10 days. After it was removed, it did not come back.
Yes, a constant battle and advocating and researching are very important things to do, I have found. You have lots of company in your challenges.

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jane2024 | @jane2024 | May 11 12:46pm

Thanks. I have found this group very helpful since I started this journey early this year. I will discuss the seroma with the doctor and see what needs to be done.

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kayhaun | @kayhaun | May 11 1:36pm
In reply to @yani2023 "Hi, I am also experienced breast surgery and experience similar scar tissue and tightness under the..." + (show)
@yani2023

Hi, I am also experienced breast surgery and experience similar scar tissue and tightness under the arm. Most advantageous to see been treated by an occupational/physical therapist who will teach you the many excercise which will help.
DEfiniately massage is a must. IT stimulates the whole area. I actually felt tingling after massage which was a good thing. I used castor oil and after therapist worked on me she would place a warn wool pad which had been soaked in Castor oil. Read up on Castor oil and uses. There are many benefits. Lastly the best reccomendation and postion I was taught to do was to sleep in a recliner tilted back/ I was instructed to purchase two stainless steel poles on each side of my recliner .( they are used to give patient IV DRIP medication or Blood). THey must be very secure to the floor so they do not tilt over. Therapist had me straighten my arm and postion them straight up toward the left and right side of my head. Both arms were secure to look this this.
| | with my head between, totally straight up. According to therapist. THis procedure helps to drain fluid that often builds up after a masectomy or lymph node removal. I questioned this procedure as I had never hear of such practice used by anyone before.
You have to know your body and how much it can tolerate. I build up the time from 30 minutes up to a couple of hours. I would take a rest and if the swelling had gone down even just a bit it helped a great deal. Over several weeks. the swelling went down. There is no formula set in stone on how long you should have hour arms in the upright position. IT was up to me ,, At one point I even slept over night and only speaking for myself. I was okay. Nothing happened beside the swelling or water puffiness decreased. This is just a suggestion.... ask you doctor if they would approve before you do such a procedure. My doctors said it was okay and non invasive. Every patient is different so this is why it's important to ask. your doctor first. For myself it made the world of difference as I also had 9 positive lymph nodes removed. Best of luck

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Thank you for this interesting info! So far I do not have lymphedema, which is a surprise since I had 29 nodes removed! What I do have is scar tissue across my rib cage now, so stiffness and numbness there. I do exercise the arm and massage the area. Maybe I’ll just have to accept the scarring, then. I wondered if others of us are living with this sensation. Thanks again!

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kayhaun | @kayhaun | May 11 1:41pm
In reply to @jane2024 "Thanks for sharing. I am planning to see an occupational / physical therapist. Have you worked..." + (show)
@jane2024

Thanks for sharing. I am planning to see an occupational / physical therapist. Have you worked with a therapist or just done exercises on your own?

Best,
Jane

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Hi. I did see a therapist who showed me exercises which would be helpful with regaining motion and dealing with lymphedema. I do the exercises she showed me. Maybe I should go to PT and do more work. Thanks!

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jackiefo | @jackiefo | May 13 8:30am

Get yourself checked and then you must do your arm stretching exercises. I’d walk my hand up a wall, getting higher and higher. Even started playing tennis again.
Good luck!

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