Symptoms from Mastectamty or Something Else Going On

No, clue at all but since your oncologist found nothing maybe it is time to see your General Prac or OBGYN to see what the deal is. That would be my next step were I you ... Oh and keeping a "symptom" journal to bring with you with times/days what you did leading up to the issue(s) might help pin point as well.

my vote is for continuing to seek answers on this issue. I truly don't believe it is related to your previous cancer, & is probably related to scar tissue or infection with lymph nodes. My son has been known to have swollen lymph nodes when his allergies flare up.....but the aching/tingling would suggest other. Good Luck!

To add on to Jennifer's post... sometimes shaving will cause ingrown hair which swells and creates bump under the arm and they are painful. Combined with what Jennifer says this could lead to lymph nodes reacting to a minor infection under your arm. Try the compression and movement but if that doesn;t help, go to a different doctor. It is best to be safe than sorry... Best wishes and God bless!

I agree with possible lymphodema, which is basically gathering of fluid. Sounds just like what my mom dealt with after her surgery/radiation. It is usually ongoing to a degree. She had to do some therapy and has to be very careful of mosquitoes, insects, etc. Just call the doctor. They may want you to do some therapy and compression bandages/wraps. She was diagnosed with breast cancer (stage 4) in 2001 and is still cancer free, but still deals with the lymphodema to a degree. Call the doctor and ease your mind.

Is it the same arm that you had the lymph nodes removed? If so, it's common to have swelling, especially if you are in 1 position for a long time. A compression garment on the arm will really help move the lymph. Stretching and raising your arms up several times a day will also. Since you have less lymph nodes in the region, they have difficulty moving the lymph effectively, so it gets swollen easily. The only way lymph is moved at all is through movement so, less movement=swelling. I'm surprised your oncologist didn't let you know this. It's very common. Especially if he didn't find anything else.

Blaming certain physical symptoms on cancer isn't a pat answer. Having gone through the whole nine yards myself I can tell you that it is not a good idea to dismiss anything that is out of the norm for you. Your body is telling you it is in distress. Trust me, you do NOT want to get lymphedema--it can be awful! Once you get full blown lymphedema there is no going back and it can affect your life in more ways than you can imagine. Hours and hours on a computer is simply too long. It is hard enough on a person who hasn't had surgery and even more critical that you baby the arm from which lymph nodes were removed. You need frequent breaks/rests from being on the computer. I highly recommend that you take them.

Sounds like the begining of lymphodema. The risk of developing lymphedema depends upon the type of surgery you had, the time since surgery, and if radiation therapy was used. Generally, women who undergo more extensive surgery, have many lymph nodes removed, or have radiation therapy to the axilla (arm pit) after surgery are more likely to develop lymphedema. Most women who develop lymphedema do so within four years after their surgery.
The initial symptoms of lymphedema may include

* A heavy sensation or an aching discomfort in the arm
* Swelling of the affected arm or upper chest
* Difficulty moving the arm
* Stiffness, weakness, or numbness

In some cases, these symptoms develop before swelling is noticeable. Recognizing and treating lymphedema in the early stages may prevent or slow its worsening over time.