Numbness after surgery?
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Numbness after surgery?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Numbness after surgery?

  • Post
    • December 20, 2012 at 8:39 pm
    krem
    Participant

      I had surgery on my outer quad/thigh to remove a melanoma in situ about 6 months ago. I'm finally starting to regain feeling on the surface of my skin surrounding the incision site, but now I have a new problem: more widespread numbness.

      I had surgery on my outer quad/thigh to remove a melanoma in situ about 6 months ago. I'm finally starting to regain feeling on the surface of my skin surrounding the incision site, but now I have a new problem: more widespread numbness.

      Whenever I have something (like a laptop) resting on my lap, it's painful all down my leg. Also if I sleep on my side, either one oddly enough, the same pain occurs. I'd call it numbness because that's what I'd assume the pressure would be creating… but I guess it's more of a pain. It is almost like the feeling that happens right before a pins and needles sensation.

      The real question here is this: Will this go away? Is it cause for concern? I know it's not uncommon for nerves to be cut in this type of surgery, but I don't know much about nerve regeneration symptoms. 

      Thanks,

      Emily

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    • Replies
        • December 20, 2012 at 9:55 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          I've had many surgeries and many scars.  I had one smaller WLE on my back under the bra band.  That scar gave me no end of trouble for several years.  I could not stand the pressure of a normal bra on the scar.  I'd get shooting pains and just general discomfort.  You could find me reaching behind my back to lift the bra off the scar until I changed bra types.  This lasted for maybe 3 years before it gradually subsided.  None of my other 6 WLE scars have given me any long term problems after the initial healing period.  I do have other scars where I have permanent numbness.  Nerve regeneration is a slow process if it happens, and it's hard to tell who will be affected and if you will have "extra" side effects.  I'd just discuss the issue with your doctor to make sure s/he thinks nothing is out of the ordinary and go from there.  I wouldn't be overly worried, though.

          Best wishes,

          Janner

          • December 20, 2012 at 9:55 pm
          Janner
          Participant

            I've had many surgeries and many scars.  I had one smaller WLE on my back under the bra band.  That scar gave me no end of trouble for several years.  I could not stand the pressure of a normal bra on the scar.  I'd get shooting pains and just general discomfort.  You could find me reaching behind my back to lift the bra off the scar until I changed bra types.  This lasted for maybe 3 years before it gradually subsided.  None of my other 6 WLE scars have given me any long term problems after the initial healing period.  I do have other scars where I have permanent numbness.  Nerve regeneration is a slow process if it happens, and it's hard to tell who will be affected and if you will have "extra" side effects.  I'd just discuss the issue with your doctor to make sure s/he thinks nothing is out of the ordinary and go from there.  I wouldn't be overly worried, though.

            Best wishes,

            Janner

              • December 21, 2012 at 12:43 am
              _Paul_
              Participant
                I had a woe on the vertex of my scalp, a node removed below my right ear and another behind it. My ear became numb but most of the feeling is back now 5 months later. During that process I had just the type of pain you are describing.

                My skull around the wle is just now “waking up”, and I got random shooting pains, but not intense or for too long. I suspect I will get the pins and needles feeling in my scalp too.

                – Paul

                • December 21, 2012 at 12:43 am
                _Paul_
                Participant
                  I had a woe on the vertex of my scalp, a node removed below my right ear and another behind it. My ear became numb but most of the feeling is back now 5 months later. During that process I had just the type of pain you are describing.

                  My skull around the wle is just now “waking up”, and I got random shooting pains, but not intense or for too long. I suspect I will get the pins and needles feeling in my scalp too.

                  – Paul

                  • December 21, 2012 at 6:25 am
                  krem
                  Participant

                    Thanks very much to both of you! It sounds like the "waking up" side effects are to blame, but if they keep up I'll check with my doctor to be sure.

                    Emily

                    • December 21, 2012 at 6:25 am
                    krem
                    Participant

                      Thanks very much to both of you! It sounds like the "waking up" side effects are to blame, but if they keep up I'll check with my doctor to be sure.

                      Emily

                      • December 21, 2012 at 6:25 am
                      krem
                      Participant

                        Thanks very much to both of you! It sounds like the "waking up" side effects are to blame, but if they keep up I'll check with my doctor to be sure.

                        Emily

                        • December 21, 2012 at 12:43 am
                        _Paul_
                        Participant
                          I had a woe on the vertex of my scalp, a node removed below my right ear and another behind it. My ear became numb but most of the feeling is back now 5 months later. During that process I had just the type of pain you are describing.

                          My skull around the wle is just now “waking up”, and I got random shooting pains, but not intense or for too long. I suspect I will get the pins and needles feeling in my scalp too.

                          – Paul

                        • December 20, 2012 at 9:55 pm
                        Janner
                        Participant

                          I've had many surgeries and many scars.  I had one smaller WLE on my back under the bra band.  That scar gave me no end of trouble for several years.  I could not stand the pressure of a normal bra on the scar.  I'd get shooting pains and just general discomfort.  You could find me reaching behind my back to lift the bra off the scar until I changed bra types.  This lasted for maybe 3 years before it gradually subsided.  None of my other 6 WLE scars have given me any long term problems after the initial healing period.  I do have other scars where I have permanent numbness.  Nerve regeneration is a slow process if it happens, and it's hard to tell who will be affected and if you will have "extra" side effects.  I'd just discuss the issue with your doctor to make sure s/he thinks nothing is out of the ordinary and go from there.  I wouldn't be overly worried, though.

                          Best wishes,

                          Janner

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