Clothes fitting around lymphoedema

[butiinside]

I have had left arm lympoedema for 16 years. Does anyone else have trouble finding bras and tops to fit. Tried new bra this arming. It seemed to push the fluid along and was able to get into smaller size top for a while. Then bra started to hurt under armpit so put old bra back on with said smaller top. However, arm fillled up with fluid again, then top too small again so had to revert back to bigger top. Can not wear compression sleeve as cuts off my circulation. Can anyone please recommend something? Thanks

[HazieC]

I have similar problem with my legs but I think it must be harder with your top half. The only thing I could think of would be to wear the bigger top do your arm is comfortable, and use a tie on the rest of the top to stop it looking too baggy.

[sleeviejeebies]

I'd get in touch with your lymphoedema clinic if you have one. Maybe they can offer something that doesn't cut off your circulation, e.g. a wrap. A wrap would be bulky though, but it could make you more comfortable (I wear one on top of a compression sleeve.)I wear mostly vest tops in summer and then wide-sleeved tops in the winter - so it's just the arms that are bigger and then the body fits normally (although it sounds as though you have swelling in your chest too, so maybe that wouldn't help in your case?). Coats and jackets are harder, especially with wide-sleeved tops contributing to the bulk of compression garments. Sometimes (often!) it puts me off going out at all...

I hope you manage to find something that works for you. 🤞