Constant pain after a lumpectomy and breast reduction.

Posted by pjharshey6193 @pjharshey6193, Aug 23 7:19pm

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2019. The surgeon talked me into getting a lump ectomy and a breast reduction. Which I did stupidly after the surgery everything went fine whatever I have constant pain like excruciating pain in my left breast since 2019 I can’t even have anyone to hug me on that side because it hurts too bad, that is not normal is it? My oncologist always says it’s scar tissue. But the kind of pain I am having I can’t believe that.

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I am so very sorry that you are suffering from this level of chronic pain. It can happen after a surgery. Not being a doctor, I can't explain why. But being a person with this condition (from emergency lung surgery many decades ago) I did learn that I had to address the pain any way I could.
How are you treating the pain? Can you talk to your PCP or is the oncologist most helpful? Either might refer you to a pain clinic, a PT, or suggest medication (OTC or prescription). I've been helped by rolphing, although for this and alternative bodywork you pay out of pocket. I've heard that acupuncture can help, and bio feedback. You've been in a pain a long time, which can really wear a person down. Do you see any possible avenues to help with the pain? What have you already tried? Does anything work? It seems the oncologist does not think this is more cancer--does that seem correct to you?

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According to my doctors at MD Anderson a high level of pain after a lumpectomy and breast reduction is not expected. We discussed there would be some ongoing “zings” of pain as the different areas that were cut and fit back together healed. Nerve endings need to heal. I believe generally 18 months after surgery most, but not all zings of pain have stopped.

I have a seroma, small fluid filled round area, in my left breast. This was the side that was only a reduction. Seroma usually happen when a pocket of space is left - where the two areas of tissue did not fit exactly together. Fluid fills the void. It can be absorbed over time, or harden and cause pain. I’m having a zing of mild pain in that area, I’m almost 2 years post surgery. It is still soft so I guess it’s changing. But if you have a seroma it could cause pain - but I don’t think it causes constant pain. Mine is visible on the MRI, looks like a bubble.

From what I’ve read, you might investigate if you have a traumatic neuroma. It’s a small tangle of nerves that cause constant pain. Here’s an article - in one instance the neuroma was cut out and all pain went away.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6119675/
I have a lot of scar tissue inside my left breast and a fair amount in my right. I do not have pain from these.
I hope your doctor can give you a better answer as to why you have pain . . . because scar by itself doesn’t have to hurt.

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@pjharshey6193, I hope you saw the helpful replies from @mir123 and @triciaot.

Have you had a second opinion regarding the pain you experience? Or consulted with a physiotherapist or other specialist?

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I think you need to see a pain specialist. They can determine what’s going on and start treatment. It could be a damaged nerve. I was diagnosed with CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome) in my foot after an injury. At the time my pain specialist says a nerve got damaged and was firing off. Like when you turn a light on and your brain doesn’t understand and the light will not go off. I’ve heard people getting it even with a shot. There are different therapies they can get for you as well as things like accupuncture. I did hot/cold therapies, and a number of other things. I think accupuncture was the best for me. I suffered with it for almost 5 years and after accupuncture the pain reduced so much. I give God all the glory for healing that pain! He led me to the Drs with the knowledge to treat me. Today I am pain free. I know it was my foot in pain and not my breast. But was nerve damage.
I was diagnosed with DCIS in situ in April. I had excisional biopsy then lumpectomy, radiation and now on Letrozole. I also had 4 lymph nodes removed. My left breast is tender feeling still but no pain.
Please go see a pain management Dr.
best of luck to you !

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