Pain Under Arm at Surgery Site

mj_weis
mj_weis Member Posts: 59
in Breast Cancer #1

Hi, everyone!  Haven't written on the board much but follow everyone very closely!  I am a 1 year survivor of Stage 2A IDC 1/1 node involvement had Chemo/Radiation with many complications, but made it through and am dealing with the aftermath pretty darn good!!!

What I have a question about is that several weeks ago I had a pretty bad fall, landed on my face and shoulder, went to ER and all checked out.  A week or so after the fall I started feeling pain under my arm and in my breast, where my surgeries were.  I just thought I probably pulled the scar tissue or something and it would resolve itself.  Well it's really not getting any better.  I seem a little swollen on the side of my breast and my arm feels "tight" although I have measured it and it is not swollen.

I thought about lymphedema, but I'm really not having much swelling.  All I can say as an explanation of the pain is really sore to the touch or movement mostly under my arm and the front of my breast.

I know I should probably go to see a doctor, but which doctor would I see?  My Oncologist, Surgeon, GP?

Has anyone had anything like this?  Should I be worried?  Could I have really damaged something?

 

Thanks in advance for anyones help!!

 

MJ

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

  • Puffin2014
    Puffin2014 Member Posts: 531 Member
    #2
    which doctor

    From your comment about arm feeling tight, I'm thinking lymphedema even though there's no obvious swelling. GP is not going to be tuned into the lymphedema aspect, I'd call the surgeon's office and see what they think.

  • mj_weis
    mj_weis Member Posts: 59
    #3
    Puffin2014 said:

    which doctor

    From your comment about arm feeling tight, I'm thinking lymphedema even though there's no obvious swelling. GP is not going to be tuned into the lymphedema aspect, I'd call the surgeon's office and see what they think.

    Thanks

    Thanks, Puffin!

    I was kind of afraid it might be that but didn't know where to turn.  It also has a burning type of pain when I am just sitting still.  Can't believe I might have stirred something up with that silly fall.

  • desertgirl947
    desertgirl947 Member Posts: 653 Member
    #4
    Puffin2014 said:

    which doctor

    From your comment about arm feeling tight, I'm thinking lymphedema even though there's no obvious swelling. GP is not going to be tuned into the lymphedema aspect, I'd call the surgeon's office and see what they think.

    I agree with talking to your

    I agree with talking to your surgeon about it.  I know that mine has been a real stickler about my not getting lymphedema and reviews with me what to not do -- even though I am, this week, three years past surgery. I tend to depend on him and my onc/onc PA more than my GP/PA on things that relate to my post-bc life.

  • mj_weis
    mj_weis Member Posts: 59
    #5
    desertgirl947 said:

    I agree with talking to your

    I agree with talking to your surgeon about it.  I know that mine has been a real stickler about my not getting lymphedema and reviews with me what to not do -- even though I am, this week, three years past surgery. I tend to depend on him and my onc/onc PA more than my GP/PA on things that relate to my post-bc life.

    I agree

    Made an appointment for next week.  The receptionist said she thought the fall probably didn't have anything to do with causing lyphedema and she didn't think it could be that, but if I was concerned, that I should come in.  I'm concerned.

  • BCancer2015
    BCancer2015 Member Posts: 7
    #6
    desertgirl947 said:

    I agree with talking to your

    I agree with talking to your surgeon about it.  I know that mine has been a real stickler about my not getting lymphedema and reviews with me what to not do -- even though I am, this week, three years past surgery. I tend to depend on him and my onc/onc PA more than my GP/PA on things that relate to my post-bc life.

    Lymphedema

    I would be interested in hearing about what your surgeon says to do / not do to keep from getting Lymphedema. 

  • mj_weis
    mj_weis Member Posts: 59
    #7
    BCancer2015 said:

    Lymphedema

    I would be interested in hearing about what your surgeon says to do / not do to keep from getting Lymphedema. 

    Will Do

    I will let you know.

  • mj_weis
    mj_weis Member Posts: 59
    #8
    mj_weis said:

    Will Do

    I will let you know.

    Yeah! I think?

    well, it's not lymphadema....not enough swelling to even consider that.  Thank heavens!  Appears that I have fractured a couple of ribs.  It is really painful, but will heal and I will survive.  Another scare averted.  Thanks for caringSmile

     

    MJ

  • Puffin2014
    Puffin2014 Member Posts: 531 Member
    #9
    mj_weis said:

    Yeah! I think?

    well, it's not lymphadema....not enough swelling to even consider that.  Thank heavens!  Appears that I have fractured a couple of ribs.  It is really painful, but will heal and I will survive.  Another scare averted.  Thanks for caringSmile

     

    MJ

    ouch

    Ouch, fractured ribs are sooo painful. At least they heal and what a relief it must be that it wasn't what you were fearing.

  • GlowMore
    GlowMore Member Posts: 789 Member
    #10
    mj_weis said:

    Yeah! I think?

    well, it's not lymphadema....not enough swelling to even consider that.  Thank heavens!  Appears that I have fractured a couple of ribs.  It is really painful, but will heal and I will survive.  Another scare averted.  Thanks for caringSmile

     

    MJ

    Fractured Ribs**

    Who would ever have thought you would be happy to learn of Fractured Ribs?  :)    (Besides Us).... 

    I have very sore spot on my ribs under my breast that had the radiation after the lumpectomy and I have always wondered if the radiation didn't cause it.........and I try to ignor it because I don't want it to be maybe a met to the rib or something.       How often do you have to see your Onc?  I know I used to have to see him so often that I just saved up all my aches and pains to tell him about..........but now he is retired and I don't know what I would do about a bad pain.... anyway........I'm glad it is fractured ribs and not something worse.  hugs ...on the other side away from those ribs though....  xxoo

  • mj_weis
    mj_weis Member Posts: 59
    #11
    GlowMore said:

    Fractured Ribs**

    Who would ever have thought you would be happy to learn of Fractured Ribs?  :)    (Besides Us).... 

    I have very sore spot on my ribs under my breast that had the radiation after the lumpectomy and I have always wondered if the radiation didn't cause it.........and I try to ignor it because I don't want it to be maybe a met to the rib or something.       How often do you have to see your Onc?  I know I used to have to see him so often that I just saved up all my aches and pains to tell him about..........but now he is retired and I don't know what I would do about a bad pain.... anyway........I'm glad it is fractured ribs and not something worse.  hugs ...on the other side away from those ribs though....  xxoo

    Visits

    GlowMore,

    Since I'm still kind of new (a little over a year) I see my oncologist every 3 months, so I can tell him about all my aches and pains.  I have a few "left over" problems from the chemo so he kind of keeps an eye on me a little closer I think.  Funny how we are happy that we have fractured ribs, right.....beats the other things it could be!  Hugs right back at ya!!!

     

    MJ

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