After lumpectomy: Still having pain

Posted by tculton @tculton, Mar 5 6:40am

I had a lumptecomy over 6 months ago. I have pre cancer cells. I'm 32. And I'm still having pain. Is this normal??

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Check with your physician - it could be just taking longer to heal on the inside. I had a bilateral about 14 months ago and I still get a weird random pain - I asked my physician and she said I might have this for a while and it should lessen over time. Fortunately the pain is random and doesn't last very long.

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It took me close to a year and a half to be able to sleep on my stomach again after lumpectomy. It still feels wired sometimes. Check with doctor to make sure.

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I still am uncomfortable with a lot of movement of with pressure where I had my surgery. My surgeon offered to try more surgery explaining sometimes the nerves end up kind of haywire where the surgery was.
I also grew a nasty scar that is kind of anchored to the chest wall where the tumor was.
I opted not to add insult to injury and have the second surgery. Sometimes I regret that decision but mostly I just try to stay comfortable. Meaning bra, no bra, level of bra depending on what I am doing.
Have you talked to your surgeon about this? Mine was very nice to schedule time to talk to me about this. Did you have radiation in that spot?

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Thanks guys! I have a mri tomorrow so if it's all clear I'll just tell my doctor! I'm relieved that I'm not the only one with pain. I wish there was no pain but pain equals something is wrong to me.

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I am a 25 year breast cancer survivor with no recurrence. I had Stage 1 no lymp nodes involvement ( I was -age 47) I did the normal 30 day radiation treatment. I opted for chemotherapy CMF) once a month for 8 months because my Mother died of BC at age 47. (My Doctor gave me the option of Chemo) I then did 4 years of Tamoxifen and then 4 years of Femara. My breast area is still tender! After conferring with an oncologist he said it is normal. I have been told before there is possibly nerve damage. I am interested if any other long term survivors have similar symptoms.

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@grandx6

I am a 25 year breast cancer survivor with no recurrence. I had Stage 1 no lymp nodes involvement ( I was -age 47) I did the normal 30 day radiation treatment. I opted for chemotherapy CMF) once a month for 8 months because my Mother died of BC at age 47. (My Doctor gave me the option of Chemo) I then did 4 years of Tamoxifen and then 4 years of Femara. My breast area is still tender! After conferring with an oncologist he said it is normal. I have been told before there is possibly nerve damage. I am interested if any other long term survivors have similar symptoms.

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My story above is from a 20 year old scar. Original diagnosis meant chemo every three week for a lifetime dose of a couple drugs. Radiation and surgeries, then an oopherectomy, tamoxifen for 5 yrs. and anastrozole for 10 more. Now in my 50s and still tender.
How do you try to manage this soreness?

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Hi
May I have a lumpectomy December 15th 2023 and I wondered if anybody else experiences this my breast hurts all the time it really aches at night like a toothache now I'll be starting radiation so I imagine it's just going to get worse

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@sue417

Hi
May I have a lumpectomy December 15th 2023 and I wondered if anybody else experiences this my breast hurts all the time it really aches at night like a toothache now I'll be starting radiation so I imagine it's just going to get worse

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Hi Sue,
I moved your post to this discussion on the same topic so you can connect with @tculton @grandx6 @gegost1955 and @auntieoakley.

See their comments here:
- After lumpectomy: Still having pain https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/still-having-pain/

Sue, have you talked to your cancer team about the persistent aching and your concern about starting radiation?

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@sue417

Hi
May I have a lumpectomy December 15th 2023 and I wondered if anybody else experiences this my breast hurts all the time it really aches at night like a toothache now I'll be starting radiation so I imagine it's just going to get worse

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Like @colleenyoung mentioned, I would definitely talk to my doctor about this. I can tell you I have had many conversations with many patients who have soreness for quite a few months after lumpectomy.
What is the plan for your radiation? Are you scheduled yet?

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@auntieoakley

My story above is from a 20 year old scar. Original diagnosis meant chemo every three week for a lifetime dose of a couple drugs. Radiation and surgeries, then an oopherectomy, tamoxifen for 5 yrs. and anastrozole for 10 more. Now in my 50s and still tender.
How do you try to manage this soreness?

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To combat the soreness ( I’m reluctant now to cause it pain) I limit what I do with my left arm (BC left breast). Since radiation shrunk my breast I do need to wear a breast form and this causes soreness if worn all day. I try not to wear it or a bra if not necessary. Tight bras are out. I try not to sleep on my left side for too long. I hope other women have thoughts on this.

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