Topic: Numb Back still 1.5 yrs later

Sorry to hear you have this numbness also Lisa.

Huh, Well at least we are now not alone.  Makes one feel better to know someone else has it too...Doesnt give us answers...But it Does help.

I thought it would go away with time...And it may still...I think massaging it may help...But its impossible to reach- LOL

Do let me know what you hear.  Even some answers as to why would help us...As it jsut doesnt seem like our back sould have been effected by the surgery. (at least it doesnt seem that way to me)

Pam

I had a bilateral mastectomy (no recon) last september, and I am also still numb!  I was not prepared for the amount of numbness and thought I would have recovered more feeling by now.  I get itchy, but it seems to be far under my skin and can't be scratched - drives me crazy!  I only had a SNB, so I was not prepared for this outcome.  My surgeon said she cannot tell me if this will be permanent or I will recover more feeling. 

I have read online about some surgeons are developing a different approach and trying to design ways to remove lymph nodes without severing nerves.  Doesn't help us, but those in the future may benefit. 

physical therapy, the stretching and other exercises that I was given my the P.T. have helped me tremendously.  My latest problem is scar tissue which has become very painful. 

It has helped with the tightness and building up strength again.  Also various aches and pains over the past year.

You need a referral from your DR.  You also need a good P. T.  I had one that didn't help me much at first , then tried another one what she has done for me is a little short of a miracle.

Are all of you talking about Numbness in your Back?

That is what I am really asking...If others have numbness in their back.  Since we did not have incisions or nodes from our back....that is surprising to me to be numb & this far out after surgery.  My Back is numb where my Bra band is- All the way across my back.

Numbness in front, Under the arm & even the arm.  While It isnt good or fun.  I think it is very common & varies from person to person.

fogandroses.  It could be a pinched nerve I suppose.  At least he came up with something other then it was a big surgery.  Good Luck with the Neck specialist.  I hope he can help you.

Thanks for the well wishes on my Surgery.

Pam

Pam, that's exactly where my back is still numb - where the bra band goes around. But only on my left side where NO nodes were taken.  So it can't be typical from the surgery.

Scout - I told my PS I was going to draw on myself to show him where I'm numb and he said a woman came in who had marked all over her chest and arm with a magic marker.  His reaction was that everyone is different and it didn't do any good to show him where the numbess was because he couldn't change it. I get that but it still bothers me because my numbness isn't where I would have expected it. I don't believe it's normal!

My neighbor is a neurologist so I'm going to ask him about this again.  I asked him right after my surgery when my left back was burning and painful up to my shoulder blade (now "just" have this band of numbness after 15 months so that's progress at least).  At that time he said the nerves that give sensation to that part of my back come from my spine so the damage must be between my spine and the areas that were bothering me.

This is an outcome I was not expecting. It really nags at me - I want to know why! Hugs to you all.  Lisa

leftyAKAnancy - Several years ago, I developed a itchy area on my left back in the most unreachable spot. I asked my dermatologist when I was in for something else and he described it as a nerve that is "wiggling" for some reason. He gave me a cream that was supposed to help settle it down......but it was hard to get on the spot, and I have contacts. The cream seemed to stay on my fingers overnight even after washing several times - so I didn't bother for long. Since then, I have learned that when it starts acting up, I go to my chiropractor and the itch will go away!

Regarding the numbness after a mastectomy - my back numbness seems to have basically resolved although I still have underarm numbness, but I started going to my chiropractor about 2 - 3 weeks after surgery and it really seemed to help with the other nerve sensations of burning and discomfort. I did alot of massage also, and my husband helped too. Maybe myofascial release massage? Maybe a nerve is trapped in scar tissue? I'd pursue an answer, and think outside the box. Sometimes doctor's think they can't fix it so won't refer to someone who may be able to help with answers. It's OK to be assertive and manage your own care!

I had a right mastectomy in May 2006. I also have a numb area that itches on my back in that same bra band area.  I also get shooting pains there occasionally.  It's been 3 years for me now with no noticable change.  I had a prophylactic left mastectomy in June 2007 and never developed a problem on that side.