Mastectomy 30 years ago Stabbing pain near armpit
I had my first mastectomy 30 years ago, developed an infection in inplant, had it removed and 5 years transflap surgery. Chemo and radiation. Had a second, new breast cancer on the other side 13 years ago. Just a few days ago I am having intermittent, pain right above my armpit. It is almost in my upper, right, inside of arm. Comes all of the sudden and goes away suddenly. The pain is almost unbearable but it goes away fast. Has anyone had this? Trying not to freak out. Thanks for any feedback. Kelly
Comments
-
Me again. I started an exercise program 3 weeks ago and have done upper body work on machines. Could that be it? Kelly
0 -
Hi @azalea23, The intermittent intense pain in your upper right arm could have many causes but it sounds like something I developed over 8 months ago. After several weeks of being awakened by sharp pain in my axilla/biceps my right hand and arm up to that point gradually became numb and weak. It felt like I was wearing a tight long sleeved glove. The initial possible diagnoses were stroke, carpal and cubital tunnel syndromes, axillary breast cancer recurrence and cervical radiculopathy. After numerous scans, doctor's appointments and a hospitalization I was eventually diagnosed with a rare neurologic disease with three names: brachial neuritis, neuralgic amyotrophy, Parsonage-Turner Syndrome. Inflammation causes an autoimmune reaction which injures nerves coming from the brachial plexus. The inflammation can be triggered by a virus, vaccination, overuse from heavy lifting, childbirth and other things. They think mine was initiated by inflammation from statin induced liver injury and breast cancer treatment which had weakened my brachial plexus A neurosurgeon diagnosed it a month ago and I finally got an appointment with a neuromuscular neurologist (nearly impossible to do.) The only treatment is PT to preserve range of motion and eventually rebuild the wasted muscles as the nerves slowly regenerate. If the arm is paralyzed and doesn't improve in a year nerve transfer surgery is a possibility.
Hopefully your pain will clear and nothing else will happen. I'd stop the weight training. If things go down the wrong path get an appointment with a hand surgeon. They are more likely to have heard of this and can order an EMG (electromyography) to help with diagnosis. It does not show up on a regular MRI but some hospitals can do a MR Neurography which shows hourglass constrictions in the nerves. A hand surgery PA finally got me an appointment with the correct type of neurologist. My right arm is improving some toward the top (the nerves regenerate in the opposite order.) I'm told that 90% of people recover in 3 years. Unfortunately the same thing has just started in my left hand. I was doing OK learning to become left handed but this is another curve ball I'll just have to deal with.
This info probably won't help many people because of the rarity of PTS but those who have a weakened brachial plexus (breast cancer surgery, radiation, chemo) are more likely to be affected. All the best.
0
