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Joanne S · 02-14-2008, 05:02 PM

Ceesun, I sympathize with you as I can certainly relate. My pain started 2 months after my mastectomies. It is not unusual to suffer from should pain after mastectomies---a few woman even suffer from a torn rotator cuff after mastectomy, especially if you had lymph nodes removed ---the arm and shoulder take quite a bit of abuse during surgery. Along with mastectomy, reconstruction surgery increases the pain too. Radiation was also a big enemy to my shoulder, upper arm, armpit and chest. I went for several months of physical therapy.

Moving the shoulder every day is the key. Stretch until you feel a mild stretch, not pain--- otherwise you can cause damage. If you can tolerate Motrin, it helps with the inflamation. Talk to your doctor about prescribing physical therapy.

The sisters hear certainly offer great advice.

02-14-2008, 05:02 PM	#7
Joanne S Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Detroit Metropolitan Area, Michigan Posts: 592	Ceesun, I sympathize with you as I can certainly relate. My pain started 2 months after my mastectomies. It is not unusual to suffer from should pain after mastectomies---a few woman even suffer from a torn rotator cuff after mastectomy, especially if you had lymph nodes removed ---the arm and shoulder take quite a bit of abuse during surgery. Along with mastectomy, reconstruction surgery increases the pain too. Radiation was also a big enemy to my shoulder, upper arm, armpit and chest. I went for several months of physical therapy. Moving the shoulder every day is the key. Stretch until you feel a mild stretch, not pain--- otherwise you can cause damage. If you can tolerate Motrin, it helps with the inflamation. Talk to your doctor about prescribing physical therapy. The sisters hear certainly offer great advice. __________________ Aug06...Dx Age 50, IDC Left Breast, 6+/16 lymph nodes, Stg 3, ER+/PR+/HER2+ Sep06-Jan07...Mediport. Chemo: AC x 4, T x 4 Dec06-Nov07...Herceptin Feb12,2007...Surg MRM Left & SM Right, reconstruct w/expanders Mar07-Jun07...Saline Exp Jun07...Start Tamoxifen Jun07-Aug07...Rad x 25 Jun07-Oct07...Persistent fevers-unknown origin Jun07-Nov07...PT for Severe PMPS & Capsular Contracture Nov07...Surg Capsulectomy, Gel Implants, PMPS pain gone instantly. Feb08...NED 1st CANCERVERSARY!!!!! Feb08...2 months post surgery Caps Cont again :( Mar08...Stop Tamoxifen. Start Arimidex. Apr08...Sudden high fever, Hosp ICU 10 days, staph infect, emerg surg, implants removed. Outpt IVantibiotics Daily x 6 weeks Feb11...NED 5th CANCERVERSARY!!!!! Feb12...NED 6th CANCERVERSARY!!!!! Aug12...Spotting. Surg=D&C Sep12...STAGE IV = RARE BC METS TO UTERUS ILC ER+/PR+/HER2-Negative) (Different BC than originally diagnosed = IDC ER+/PR+/HER2+). Sep12...Stop Arimidex. Start Afinitor & Aromasin. Jan13...MRI = no progression no reduction Apr13...Progression. Stop Afinitor & Aromasin. Apr13...Start Chemo: Taxol & Carboplatin. Nov13...Scans & Pelvic 95+% Reduction. Nueropathy>Stop chemo start Fareston. Jan14...PET scan = no progression stable. May14...Pelvic > Bleeding & cramps. TMs up. May14...PET scan = uterine progression :( May14...Stop Fareston. Start Chemo: Xeloda.