Topic: Under arm pain and depression

Hi Mari, and welcome.

I have underarm neuropathy, it also extends right down to my elbow.

I was told it would 'probably' go within 6 months....someone lied !!

Here I am , almost 5 years past double mastectomy, and it hasn't really changed much at all.

I went for 2 years, complaining, and asking for some help, was told 'it will settle'...it didn't.

I had to get snotty in the end, and really pushed for something. I was given Gabapentin, which wasn't very effective, I went with this for about 2 years, had another complain, and was changed to Lyrica, about Christmas time 07. Lyrica was very slightly better, but on the whole, not much.

These two drugs sometimes give a very dramatic result for some, just not for me, so you could have a go at either of these, and find one will work well for you.

I find its easier to just not use my arm whenever I can, not good, I know, but there doesn't seem to be much else.

As you are feeling depressed, and this is a VERY common thing after breast cancer perhaps an anti depressant would do both jobs. I did read that Amytriptiline, a very old anti depressant was being used for neuropathy, with good effect.

How far out are you from treatment? If not too far out, it COULD be early days yet, and could have time to settle (it does go completely with some of us)

The anxiety of reccurrence is a whole different ball game! We all learn to deal with it, and live along side this in our own way, and at different speeds. This is probably one of the worst aspects of this whole thing.

Come back and ask away with your questions, everyone will be pleased to help if they can.

Isabella.

it has been 4 years for me and i still have underarm down to the elbow numbness but the pain now in minimal.  It seems to get a little better each year but dr. said it probably would never have the feeling back it use to have.