Pain, tenderness return 10 months after lumpectomy: What does it mean?

I am praying your mammogram is a negative result.

As for the pain and swelling, I had 20 radiation treatments after a partial mastectomy. About 10 months later, I was having tenderness and terrible pain & aching in that breast, the ribs just below the breast and under the arm, as well as new reduced range of motion in that arm after almost a year of healing from radiation. CT scan & mammo were clear. My surgeon said I had radiation-induced fibrosis. It’s when muscles, tendons, ligaments & skin get damaged and hardens, basically creating scarred tissue as a result of radiation therapy. It causes range of motion issues, pain, tightness, and sometimes skin changes. We tried Meloxicam and it didn’t help much and I didn’t like more potential medications & their issues as well. I was on this site when someone mentioned ‘swell spots’. They are a form of compression padding that gently puts pressure on the fibrosis spot and begins to break it up so it isn’t pulling & tightening that area, which is what is causing the pain, etc. I found some on Amazon, but wasn’t sure which size I needed, so I found a nurse’s blog who suggested a home remedy. I tried that and it worked perfectly!!! I wore my standard compression bra from the early days after surgery (Prairie Wear brand is what I have, zippers in the front) every time I was home until the pain went away (now I wear it a couple nights a week) I put a folded up men’s athletic sock, a thick one, like 3-4 inches when it’s folded in it at the side of my breast where my tumor was removed. It doesn’t hurt at all, the sock flattens a bit. It’s just gentle constant pressure and it breaks up/stretches the area and relieves the pain. I have since found that a ‘knitted swim knocker’ works easier. It has thick stuffing than a regular knitted knocker & gives perfect pressure. I got mine from my nurse navigator, but their website is http://www.knittedknockers.org. If it turns out that is your issue, these saved my life!
I also use their regular knitted knockers everyday in my bras. They breathe, washable and have no weight to them like normal prosthetics. You can adjust the filling inside to fit you. Fabulous invention and all made by volunteers and they are free to order.

It is Lymphedema and I cannot remember the other word that was used. I have been trying to find someone with Lymphedema training all afternoon. Most Physical therapists do not have that training.

Well I’ve gone back to wearing a compression bra every night. That does help, light pressure and support helps. I find myself holding my left breast around the house and sometimes away from home I hold on to the bra strap until the aching pain subsides. This is what I was doing after the surgery. I know something is not right. I dread that mammogram pain. I have started exercising at least 20 minutes every day hoping this will help in some way. Most days I get in about 45 minutes total. I try twice a day even if it’s only 10 minutes each.
My mammogram is July 26. Here we go again.
Glenda.

Watch the heat too. Mine lymphedema person gave me exercise to do too.

Thanks, I know my skin is itchy and dry. How do I find the exercises your lymphedema person gave you? I’ve been lightly massaging my surgery breast. It seems to help. My skin is so touchy and sensitive too. One day my face cream burns the next day it’s ok. It’s like all my senses nerve endings are inflamed through out my body. I take Letrozole in the mornings. I have to take my bra off in slow motion. I mean it. It’s not just the breast tissue that’s sore, but the skin also. The pressure helps. I wonder what this means??

Yes. I had 19 radiation treatments, prone position for left breast. I have not seen a lymphatic doctor. I have not been diagnosed with lymphedema. My mama gram is July 26 for both breast. Dreading this greatly. I’m gonna see if I can find those exercises for lymphatic drainage. I’m been stepping up the exercises, walking, riding my bike, stretching and using treadmill to get in at least 10 minutes 2x a day. It seemed to help me feel better. Wearing a compression bra helps too. Thanks for sharing and advice.
Glenda.