Neuropathy Pain after Mastectomy

[michka]

I was operated 5,5 months ago. (mastectomy and axillary nodes removed). After three weeks, I had severe nerve pain under my arm. The surgeon gave me a medication you give to epileptic patients. (Rivotril in France, molecule called Clonazepan)
3 months later, as it was only giving me temporary relief, he sent me to a specialized "pain" center. They gave me another product of the same type (Neurontin, molecule called Gabapentine) and I started mild electricity putting electrodes on my arm and chest 4 hours a day. The result is worse.
Did anyone who had this kind of pain after surgery ever get rid of it?
It is just an additional pain to the rest but I can tell the difference between nerve pain and my other pains.
But the worse pain is in my head: the surgeon said I could not have reconstruction until this pain disappears. But what if it never disappears?
Please tell me about your experience if you have or had this problem.
What treatment did you get and did it work?
Thanks.
Michka

[Catherine]

Michka,

I had a bilateral mastectomy. But I did not have neropathy on my chest, or the nerve pain that you describe. I do not know much about this. Did the doctors "cut" something? I also had 14 axillary nodes removed under my right arm.

Surgery Sept 06, Finished with radiation Dec 7, 2006. Then in February 2007 I started physical therapy. The PT massaged my scars and worked the facia. My whole chest was tight, but the PT helped get my skin to "move" again. I am doing quite well now.

Please keep asking your doctors for answers. Some of the pain meds you mentioned just mask the problem. Yes, you want to be comfortable and free of pain. Can they tell you what causes the pain? I wish someone with your experience would answer your post. Maybe post the same question on the Komen site.

Keep asking your doctors for an answer. I sure hope it gets better.

All the best, Catherine