How do you deal with numbness after mastectomy???????
For those of you that have had a mastectomy is it true and how do you deal with it? I do have an appointment to talk with a plastic surgeon but curious how you deal with the numbness. I can't even stand novacaine in my mouth. Is it terrible? Was anyone else worried about this and it turned out to be better then expected. Even during a c section I almost went crazy because I couldn't feel my body.
Thanks again in advance for all of your help
Michele
Comments
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I had a right modified
I had a right modified radical mastectomy and 15 nodes removed. I found the numbness was an advantage because when he pulled out the drains I didn't feel a thing. I just didn't think of the numbmess as a problem. But that's me. It gradually has feeling again which for me is a little sensitive.0 -
Numbness
Hi Michele,
I had a bilateral mastectomy on Nov 23rd & so far the numbness in my chest hasn't bothered me. However, the numbness under my arm does bother me like your's does. Of course, I'm am less then 4 wks out so my chest could get worse. I have been thankful for the numbness when they removed the drains & the 2 times I've had to have fluid drained. I am thankful I didn't know about the numbness before my surgery. Although, I had much rather deal with the numbness under my arm then with the thought of cancer still being in my body. Best of luck to you.
Tina0 -
I hadTinabug said:Numbness
Hi Michele,
I had a bilateral mastectomy on Nov 23rd & so far the numbness in my chest hasn't bothered me. However, the numbness under my arm does bother me like your's does. Of course, I'm am less then 4 wks out so my chest could get worse. I have been thankful for the numbness when they removed the drains & the 2 times I've had to have fluid drained. I am thankful I didn't know about the numbness before my surgery. Although, I had much rather deal with the numbness under my arm then with the thought of cancer still being in my body. Best of luck to you.
Tina
a double masectomy with immediate reconsturction using my body tissue (July 29th).. I kinda felt like the numbness as a blessing because since the nerves were cut I didn't have any pain.. I do admit it feels a bit creepy but I'll take it it's better than worrying about the cancer inside me.. I have more numbness on my cancer breast than the non caner one.. The feelings are graduly coming back and it feels like little tiny shocks of electricty.. at first I didn't know what it was then when I found out it made sense...0 -
I had a lot of numbness, butCalleen said:I had
a double masectomy with immediate reconsturction using my body tissue (July 29th).. I kinda felt like the numbness as a blessing because since the nerves were cut I didn't have any pain.. I do admit it feels a bit creepy but I'll take it it's better than worrying about the cancer inside me.. I have more numbness on my cancer breast than the non caner one.. The feelings are graduly coming back and it feels like little tiny shocks of electricty.. at first I didn't know what it was then when I found out it made sense...
I had a lot of numbness, but it is not terribly uncomforatable. Just strange. It does go away somewhat, but i think that you just get used to it, just like everything else, it becomes the new normal. Take care.0 -
I had a mod. rad. mastectomy
I had a mod. rad. mastectomy done Oct. 21, 2009. I had numbness over just about the entire surgery area and it running down upper arm immediately. Almost all the feeling is back now though. The area that is still numb is under armpit (no wider that arm pit and down about 3") along body for a short way. Honestly the only time I notice it, is when I bathe and bath mitt goes over it but can't feel it. Other times, arm is down over the area and it gives sensory input.0 -
I had a bilateral mastectomyRague said:I had a mod. rad. mastectomy
I had a mod. rad. mastectomy done Oct. 21, 2009. I had numbness over just about the entire surgery area and it running down upper arm immediately. Almost all the feeling is back now though. The area that is still numb is under armpit (no wider that arm pit and down about 3") along body for a short way. Honestly the only time I notice it, is when I bathe and bath mitt goes over it but can't feel it. Other times, arm is down over the area and it gives sensory input.
I had a bilateral mastectomy 7 years ago. My underarms are still kind of numb. Over the years some feeling has come back. I remember I started using spray deodorant because I didn't like the non-feeling of using the stick. It's was and still is kind of weird feeling when shaving. Kind of thinking that I'll cut myself because I don't have total feeling. Never happened but you know how your mind will make things be true. Hope all works out for you. What I have found is that you just get use to the new stuff that comes with being a survivor. It becomes the norm. Take care of yourself.0 -
Hi Michele
I had a right side mod radical masectomy with 24 lymph nodes removed on Sept 24th...Yes, the numbness is still VERY present both on the underside of my right arm and on the right side of my body armpit and down.
I am also dealing with lymphedema which, in itself, is not fun!! The numbness doesn't bother me much (I also had a C-section by the way) After a masectomy, your underarm feels different parts of your body with no breast there, that will be your new norm.
I think I would be fine if not for the lymphedema - I am getting lymphatic massages and also she is massaging my breast scar as to loosen it up because it had hardened.
I wouldn't worry too much about the numbness..according to a lot of posts on here, I guess most of the feeling does come back eventually - good luck with whatever you decide.0 -
Bilattteral Numbness
Hi Michele!
I loved your question! I had the same one and learned a few things from the posts the ladies added. I can only tell you what my experience is having the bilatteral with DIEP Flap reconstruction. My bilatteral was in June of 2008 with the reconstruction in January of 2009. The first surgery was not that bad. There was numbness in my sides from the drain sites but the rest of the area felt okay. There was some feeling around where the breasts were and there was no pain. In January I had the DIEP Flap where they used my stomach fat and skin to recreate The Girls. It will be a year in January and I am just starting to get some of the feeling back...a lot of the time it is nerve pain and not sensation related. I found that taking Vitamin B6 helps with the nerve pain a lot and it is decreasing. There is some feeling coming back in the chest area which I am told is odd and under my arms things are getting better. I had to laugh at the shaving comment posted, I have the same fear! In time it will get better but there is a lot of scar tissue that needs to heal and soften. Vitamin E cream or Gold Bond lotion works great. I fell for the BC Scar repair onitment on the web (25.00 for an 8 oz. tube)I used it for a month and saw no difference or imporvement and decided I could not afford the product, both lotions work good. The tissue is starting to soften and it is feeling better but it takes time. I found that stretching exercises for my upper body help too, just don't over do it the first few times. And remember...if you have not had to shave in quite sometime check the razor before you do...mine had rusty blades! :-) Take care!0 -
I had a bilateral mastectomyblazytracy said:Hi Michele
I had a right side mod radical masectomy with 24 lymph nodes removed on Sept 24th...Yes, the numbness is still VERY present both on the underside of my right arm and on the right side of my body armpit and down.
I am also dealing with lymphedema which, in itself, is not fun!! The numbness doesn't bother me much (I also had a C-section by the way) After a masectomy, your underarm feels different parts of your body with no breast there, that will be your new norm.
I think I would be fine if not for the lymphedema - I am getting lymphatic massages and also she is massaging my breast scar as to loosen it up because it had hardened.
I wouldn't worry too much about the numbness..according to a lot of posts on here, I guess most of the feeling does come back eventually - good luck with whatever you decide.
I had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction using tummy tissue in April 2009. Like stillgood, the numbness bothers me most when I apply deodorant or shave under my arms: I will only shave when I can look in a mirror. Also, since abdominal tissue was used, there's a weird sensation when you do something like hold a clothes basket again your waste/abdomen. But, it's never been a constant discomfort and it does get better (or your body adjusts to it) over time.
Joyce0 -
Thank youTLynn0102 said:Bilattteral Numbness
Hi Michele!
I loved your question! I had the same one and learned a few things from the posts the ladies added. I can only tell you what my experience is having the bilatteral with DIEP Flap reconstruction. My bilatteral was in June of 2008 with the reconstruction in January of 2009. The first surgery was not that bad. There was numbness in my sides from the drain sites but the rest of the area felt okay. There was some feeling around where the breasts were and there was no pain. In January I had the DIEP Flap where they used my stomach fat and skin to recreate The Girls. It will be a year in January and I am just starting to get some of the feeling back...a lot of the time it is nerve pain and not sensation related. I found that taking Vitamin B6 helps with the nerve pain a lot and it is decreasing. There is some feeling coming back in the chest area which I am told is odd and under my arms things are getting better. I had to laugh at the shaving comment posted, I have the same fear! In time it will get better but there is a lot of scar tissue that needs to heal and soften. Vitamin E cream or Gold Bond lotion works great. I fell for the BC Scar repair onitment on the web (25.00 for an 8 oz. tube)I used it for a month and saw no difference or imporvement and decided I could not afford the product, both lotions work good. The tissue is starting to soften and it is feeling better but it takes time. I found that stretching exercises for my upper body help too, just don't over do it the first few times. And remember...if you have not had to shave in quite sometime check the razor before you do...mine had rusty blades! :-) Take care!
Thank you all for your comments. I am sooooo nervous and scared, and don't know what to do. I am afraid the "not feeling" will drive me crazy. If I choose lumpectomy, then I have to fear chemo again and maybe not as many choices. Going to onco for the first time this coming week and plastic surgeon. Once I get more info and make up my mind I am sure I will feel better.
Thank you again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Michele0 -
Hi Michelejarsam said:Thank you
Thank you all for your comments. I am sooooo nervous and scared, and don't know what to do. I am afraid the "not feeling" will drive me crazy. If I choose lumpectomy, then I have to fear chemo again and maybe not as many choices. Going to onco for the first time this coming week and plastic surgeon. Once I get more info and make up my mind I am sure I will feel better.
Thank you again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Michele
I am so sorry that you are scared Michele. I wish we could do or say something to take that out of the picture for you. I had a lumpectomy, so, I can't answer about any numbness. Sending you hugs!
Leeza0 -
Hang in there. There are sojarsam said:Thank you
Thank you all for your comments. I am sooooo nervous and scared, and don't know what to do. I am afraid the "not feeling" will drive me crazy. If I choose lumpectomy, then I have to fear chemo again and maybe not as many choices. Going to onco for the first time this coming week and plastic surgeon. Once I get more info and make up my mind I am sure I will feel better.
Thank you again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Michele
Hang in there. There are so many things going on and many more will happen. My bilateral mast was 9/03/09 and I am still quite numb. I have gotten used to it but have the same issues as most of the others. It does become sort of the new norm. Take care. Marilyn0 -
I had a double mastectomy
I had a double mastectomy with reconstruction.. Didn't find the numbness a issue in beginning its kind of a blessing. You don't feel the drains come out and the fillings are painless. For me it didn't last forever. Had mastectomy in Feb and about 6 months later had some feeling in my chest again..0 -
thanks for asking...e_hope said:I had a double mastectomy
I had a double mastectomy with reconstruction.. Didn't find the numbness a issue in beginning its kind of a blessing. You don't feel the drains come out and the fillings are painless. For me it didn't last forever. Had mastectomy in Feb and about 6 months later had some feeling in my chest again..
I was wondering the same thing. AND getting sick and tired of the numbness under my arm, on my chest. Think I'll ask my onc about the massage. That sounds like it could help.
My surgery was July 2009 and still no feeling. It's kinda creepy, but could be worse! What if it was PAIN!!?? Gotta accept a lot of this (like the ladies said)as the new norm.0 -
DOUBLE M AND NUMB
HI
I HAD BOTH BREAST REMOVED ON APRIL 20TH 2009. I HAVE A VERY RARE BREAST CANCER. ONLY
1 PERCENT ALL THE WOMEN IN THE WORLD. I ELECTED NOT TO HAVE RECONSTRUCTION BECAUSE
IT WAS NOT ME IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. I HAVE NUMBNESS WITH A LITTLE FUNNY FEELING WHEN
I TOUCH MY CHEST. I'M JUST GETTING USE TO IT.
TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS YOU.
ARKANSASGIRL0
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