Post-mastectomy pain syndrom (PMPS)

chessie

Hi, I am 4 years since dx; mastectomy; 8 rounds AC&Taxol; reconstruction (implant later removed); I'm so happy to report no recurrence of Ca. My problem is, chronic nerve pain under my arm, and across my chest wall, and side where my ribs are. I'm being treated for pain by pain specialists, and mostly pain is under control as long as I take the medicine 24/7. I was wondering if anyone out there has any advice as to alternate treatments for this (Other than accupuncture); I've been through PT - doesn't work for me; I have full range of motion, etc. Does anyone know if there is a specialist out there who actually knows how to treat this disorder, or if there are any studies being done of this problem?

3cbrca

Has anyone said it might be from a seroma. I had them post op and they were really obvious - under the arm and on the scar - they would drain them almost every week. It looked like they had gone away but on my PET/CT scan a really big one showed up. My surgeon said that they "pockets" develop in the surgical site and they fill up with fluid. The one I have now does not show up on physical exam so I am going in this afternoon to have an Ultrasound Guided drain (I know there's a medical term for what they're doing, but they basically stick in a needle and suck out the pocket of fluid) done and I know if it gives me the pain relief that I had from the other drains they did I will be in HEAVEN. If they haven't treated seromas ask them about it. I had perfect range of motion within a few weeks after surgery until this happened. Good luck.
She

chessie

3cbrca said:

Has anyone said it might be from a seroma. I had them post op and they were really obvious - under the arm and on the scar - they would drain them almost every week. It looked like they had gone away but on my PET/CT scan a really big one showed up. My surgeon said that they "pockets" develop in the surgical site and they fill up with fluid. The one I have now does not show up on physical exam so I am going in this afternoon to have an Ultrasound Guided drain (I know there's a medical term for what they're doing, but they basically stick in a needle and suck out the pocket of fluid) done and I know if it gives me the pain relief that I had from the other drains they did I will be in HEAVEN. If they haven't treated seromas ask them about it. I had perfect range of motion within a few weeks after surgery until this happened. Good luck.
She

Yes, I had a seroma after I had my implant removed (Had developed an acute infection)- they removed quite a bit of fluid. After that, they left the wound open for quite some time until it healed (4 months, finally, it healed!) No seroma now, just nerve damage and chronic, unrelenting pain. I take medicine which helps me quite a bit, but I'm always looking to see if there's anything new out there that can help me. I can't work anymore than 24 hours a week. A full 8 hour day wipes me out. I'm glad you had a solution to your problem - I hope you continue to heal.

babs49242

chessie said:

Yes, I had a seroma after I had my implant removed (Had developed an acute infection)- they removed quite a bit of fluid. After that, they left the wound open for quite some time until it healed (4 months, finally, it healed!) No seroma now, just nerve damage and chronic, unrelenting pain. I take medicine which helps me quite a bit, but I'm always looking to see if there's anything new out there that can help me. I can't work anymore than 24 hours a week. A full 8 hour day wipes me out. I'm glad you had a solution to your problem - I hope you continue to heal.

Have you tried GUIDED IMAGERY?
That seems to help me

Sharon912

Wow, I'm hoping the pain in my arm does not last 4 years...my lumpectomy/sentinel node was 10/25 and my left arm from elbow up and the underarm spreading into the breast area has that prickly, painful sensations. My surgeon says it will go away in time...I think after reading your post, I need to investigate further. Good luck to you.