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Post-op pain/tightness due to radiation

First post and replies | Last post by janedoe7, 1 year ago

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I had a lumpectomy, which was a breeze. The anesthesiologist gave me a dose of gabapentin pre-op, said it was shown to reduce post-op pain. I only used Tylenol twice for pain. I had to go back and have an axillary lymph node dissection and did have a bit of pain from that, took two doses of hydrocodone with Tylenol, then just tylenol after that. Once it was time to start the range of motion exercises, that was uncomfortable. It was nothing that required medication (for me) but with time my shoulder range of motion was restored. Following...

By MindyLou 1 year ago
Me too. With PT, yoga and stretching, my radiated side is "darn close" to normal. Considering where I started, I'm very happy. I never thought I could make this much progress. I do have to stay on top of it though. I can tell the difference if I don't do it.

By janedoe7 1 year ago
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First post and replies | Last post by naan05, 1 year ago

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I had to do four rounds of TC chemo. I was lucky to be able to cold cap. Advent Health offered cold capping by DigniCap. By cold capping I was able to save half my hair. I would highly recommend cold capping if possible. DigniCap had great customer service and always answered all my questions.

By naan05 1 year ago

First post and replies | Last post by MindyLou, 1 year ago

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I had nail problems from my chemo (the taxane group is one culprit). My nails became loose. After chemo, I lost both of my big toenails, which did grow back. All of my toenails have become thickened and changed shape. I visited a Podiatrist, Brooks Young (he is great, BTW) who told me he has researched these issues in the literature since his mom also has issues from her breast cancer. He explained the importance of using Vicks Vaporub on them nightly, rubbed into the nails nd nail beds.

By MindyLou 1 year ago

Physical therapy helped!

First post and replies | Last post by janedoe7, 1 year ago

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I had some pretty thick scar tissue in my armpit from lymph node removal that caused restriction when I raised my arm, but physical therapy totally helped. The therapist worked on it with tools and a suction cup over the course of several sessions that were not pleasant, but I wouldn't describe them as painful either. Regardless, it was totally worth it as I can't feel or even see the scar anymore.

By janedoe7 1 year ago

Resolved with physical therapy

First post and replies | Last post by janedoe7, 1 year ago

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I had very painful cording but it did go away. It started a couple weeks after surgery and extended all the way down to just above the wrist on the surgery arm. It took a couple months of PT and home exercises to get back to normal. Several months later I discovered cording below the breast, but that went away after a couple weeks of massage and stretching. I remember thinking I would never have my normal range of motion again, but I do. It just took some work.

By janedoe7 1 year ago

Anything help with neuropathy?

First post and replies | Last post by jleeh, 1 year ago

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Has anyone found anything that can help with this? My mom really struggles with this in her hands.

By jleeh 1 year ago

Started a few months after the end of treatment

First post and replies | Last post by janedoe7, 1 year ago

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I developed fibrosis a few months after my final radiation treatment. I first noticed pulling in my collarbone on that side when I would lean over but I didn't put two and two together. Then I developed terrible tightness in my pec and armpit area. It was unlike any tightness I'd ever felt. I could loosen it up with a minute or two of stretching but it would become tight again right away. I ended up doing physical therapy and home exercises for about two months, and it's mostly gone. I make sure to stretch daily though. Just know that th...

By janedoe7 1 year ago

New research on prevention

First post and replies | Last post by janedoe7, 1 year ago

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If you're reading this it might be too late, but there is new research on preventing severe radiation dermatitis that came out in 2023. They had me wash with a chlorhexidine body cleaner (like Hibiclens, which you can buy over the counter at a place like Target) and put a little mupirocin (which requires a prescription) in my nose. Google "bacterial decolonization for prevention of radiation dermatitis." You may have to ask about this as it might not be standard practice yet.

By janedoe7 1 year ago

Itchy arm during Herceptin treatment

First post and replies | Last post by Iamasurvivor, 1 year ago

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I completed a year of Herceptin IV treatment given every 3 weeks for HER2+ cancer. After my breast surgery (right side) I noticed my right arm itched all the time. First I thought it was bug bites causing the itch. Finally my internal medicine doctor looked at it and treated it as a neuropathic itch and prescribed gabapentin. The gabapentin helped significantly the keep the itch under control. I noticed the itch was much stronger the week after my Herceptin treatment. Once I finished my year of treatment I tapered off the gabapentin and the ...

By Iamasurvi... 1 year ago

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