I have just joined today and am wondering if any one with the same condition can give me any help.

[beadnellann]

In March I had a WLE&SNB on left breast then 15 sess of Radiotherapy. 2month ago I developed a very hard, red and very hot boob. My onc said it was cellulitus and gave me a course of penicillin. It has now been diagnosed as full blown breast oedema and I have been given some exercises to do to reduce the very bad swelling and the hardness.I didn't get much information from the nurse who just said that when the swelling goes down a bit at the next app in Jan she will try Kinesio Taping. Anybody out there know anything more to help condition

[lovesradio]

Hi beadnellan welcome to this very supportive forum. You have had a rough time of it between the breast surgery, radiotherapy and the cellulitis. I hope the exercises you have been given are helping to reduce the swelling/hardness. Exercise in general will help to move lymph fluid around and try contacting LSN if you have any questions.

Good luck with the kinesio taping.

[Pugmum]

Hi, take heart from us girls who've had this and got over it. Put plenty of thick moisturiser on and gentle exercise will help. It takes time but if you can do the mld twice a day that will ease things. If your lymph nurse hasn't shown you how to mld I suggest you get the DVD. Good Luck.

[Whitesugar]

Make sure you are in a really supportive bra. If the breast is not lifted, lymph will pool at the bottom. Ask your clinic about compression bras. Unfortunately these are not available on prescription. A sports bra will often be enough.

Have a patch test for Kinesio Tape before you start. If your skin is ok with it you can be taught to tape yourself. If your skin reacts, there are other brands with different adhesives. Simple lymphatic drainage massage (SLD) is a must for self management.

[Rebec]

Hi Beadnellann,

Hope the swelling of your breast has subsided by now. I had a similar problem and been helped by using tape around my breast for three days, followed by two days during which I wrapped my breast inside the bra in a kind of a weavy foam. Were you shown by a nurse how to use the tape? I found out that I am not allergic only to the tape used by the hospital and not the one used by the Lymphoedema Clinic.

Ask me any question, if you need more help? I can draw a diagram of how to wrap the tape around the breast, if you need it.