1. < Breast Cancer

Nerve pain after lumpectomy and breast radiation

Posted by katrina123 @katrina123, Jan 3, 2021

I don't know if this has been addressed on this site before but I am having extremely painful nerve pain that goes from my finger tips up my arm. I wondered whether this is a common problem after breast cancer treatment. I am also having severe osteoarthritis in my finger joints so I am not sure what the cause is. I will talk to my oncologist about this on my next appointment.
Has anyone else had this kind of nerve pain after radiation treatment?
katrina123

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

sandrajo | @sandrajo | Jan 10, 2021

The pain in my arm extends from my shoulder down to my elbow and my first three fingers on that hand tingle. It’s a deep vague pain that comes and goes. Mostly bothers me at night. Nothing that I couldn’t live with but just a source of concern. Will see my oncologist in may but sometimes I think the experiences of others in the same situation provide more valuable information. Thanks for the reply and any further information you can share.

REPLY
mchler73 | @mchler73 | Nov 25, 2023
In reply to @lovethedesert "I had terrible pain from my partial mastectomy, not down to my fingers, but more where..." + (show)
@lovethedesert

I had terrible pain from my partial mastectomy, not down to my fingers, but more where the lymph nodes were done and inside where the mass was taken. My surgeon felt it was due to nerve endings trying to mend themselves. He told me to do ice packs and then wear like a sports bra which keeps what's left of my breast from moving around. Don't know if this helps, but it did help me, I'm 2 1/2 months now and my breast pain is all but gone, but still having discomfort where the lymph nodes were taken.

Jump to this post

@lovethedesert
I am having exactly what you described. It was really bad after my sentinel node surgery but then with PT it seemed to get better.
Now that I’ve started radiation, I’m having sharp pains in my breast and it feels like someone is shocking me near my armpit. Is that the type of pain you had?
Thank you!

REPLY
1 reply
lovethedesert | @lovethedesert | Nov 25, 2023
In reply to @mchler73 "@lovethedesert I am having exactly what you described. It was really bad after my sentinel node..." + (show)
@mchler73

@lovethedesert
I am having exactly what you described. It was really bad after my sentinel node surgery but then with PT it seemed to get better.
Now that I’ve started radiation, I’m having sharp pains in my breast and it feels like someone is shocking me near my armpit. Is that the type of pain you had?
Thank you!

Jump to this post

Yes and after 3 years I still have pain. Not as bad but still exists. I did not do any therapies. Just a week ago I had another breast surgery on the other breast. I discovered the node surgeon got the
Margins. I'm convinced the grief over the death of my 18 yr old dog brought on this cancer. My surgeon wanted to do the nodes in my left arm but insurance and me discouraged it. Too many ramifications and more long term pain

Stand up for yourself read and ask a zillion questions and then ask MORE! You are your Best doctor!

REPLY
1 reply
mchler73 | @mchler73 | Nov 25, 2023
In reply to @lovethedesert "Yes and after 3 years I still have pain. Not as bad but still exists. I..." + (show)
@lovethedesert

Yes and after 3 years I still have pain. Not as bad but still exists. I did not do any therapies. Just a week ago I had another breast surgery on the other breast. I discovered the node surgeon got the
Margins. I'm convinced the grief over the death of my 18 yr old dog brought on this cancer. My surgeon wanted to do the nodes in my left arm but insurance and me discouraged it. Too many ramifications and more long term pain

Stand up for yourself read and ask a zillion questions and then ask MORE! You are your Best doctor!

Jump to this post

Has your doc said the pain you’ve been having is nerve pain? And if so is there anything to help it?
I read it is supposed to go away after a while but if you are still having it 3 years later, that doesn’t sound too promising.
I will definitely ask my oncologist about it when I see her this week.

REPLY
karenvh | @karenvh | Nov 27, 2023

I had horrible nerve pain in my breast after lumpectomy-stabbing, bursts of pain and I had to keep my arm elevated out away from my side …. Surgeon prescribed gabapentin and it really helped me until a few months later most of that was gone. Off the medication and I only get minor random stabs of pain now

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.