anyone else here with it in breast following surgery?

[jan-jan]

[alfie19]

My cousin aged 50yrs her right hand and arm swelled up following surgery to both breasts she had been fighting cancer since she was 30yrs old after having both breasts removed the cancer spread to her lungs and pelvis..

She wore a stocking support over her hand and arm for 5yrs.

She found it difficult to drive and write.

She eventually had MLD sadly she passed away 6months later aged 55yrs

[norberte]

hi jan-jan

you are not alone! there's loads of us in the same position but i expect people may be out shopping

i haven't strictly speaking got it in my breasts as i had all the breast tissue removed from both sides & no reconstruction but i've got it where my breasts used to be as well as the lower bit of torso, round the back, both arms & hands - when i'm having a really lymphy time i get a bit of cleavage back! yummmm (not)

you can do simple lymphatic drainage on top of any surgery or reconstruction (scars healed & no sign of infection, obviously), & draining it off a bit certainly helps for me

i'm assuming your surgery was for breast cancer if your nodes got interfered with - apologies if not

if it is, you might find the breast cancer care forums useful too - i'm allergic to them myself, but there's a biggish & helpful lymphoedema gang there too

hope it behaves over the festive period - being at the low end of your healthy bmi range is one of the best things you can do but i expect i may pay for the delicious morsels of blue cheese & nougat at my next slimming world weigh in!!

[Jules18]

Hi jan-jan,

I first developed lymphoedema in my arm about a year after breast surgery but after several years I also got it in the breast. I have had some sessions of MLD on the NHS and you can do SLD yourself. It isn't as bad as in the arm andit doesn't bother me too much. Hope yours isn't too troublesome.

[LymphSuppNetwork Partner LSN]

Hi Jules

Some people do find that kinesio tape works well with breast lymphoedema. There is also a two layer bandaging system that has been used for breast oedema.

[Boobilicious]

Like Norbete I find SLD does help and I certainly notice if I have missed a day. Coinicidently I have had a bad back and have been making myself address my posture and walk miles as its been the most comfortable position, I have found though that this has had a brilliant effect on my lymphodema and even my therapist double checked my measurements and appearance on my last clinic appointment. Interestingly I have been really sluggish over Christmas and my lymphodema has definately increased. Kinseotape has worked for me but I am alone so applying it poses a problem and in summer with hot flushes as well it does not stay in place.

Weight is another issue and I am going to join Slimming World next week, as I find post cancer it is much harder to loose weight than before.

[Hidden]

I have Lymphoedema in by breast and posterior chest wall (put simply in my back). Mine was caused by Radiotherapy after breast surgery and sentinal node removal. Luckily my local Hospice has a Lymph clinic with 2 trained nurses. Initially I went every other day for treatment and then once a week. I have been having MLD for 19 months and then my hubby and I have to do SLD every day to keep it under control. As from yesterday I have been told that I only need to go every 2 weeks providing we can keep it under control. At the moment the breast doesn't give much trouble but under my arm and the build up on the side and round my back gets very uncomfortable and heavy. It prevents me raising my arm and some days even lifting the kettle can be difficult. Ironing makes the whole side ache. I was allergic to the Kensio tape and it made me scratch lumps out of myself so had to stop using it. Do find I get very tired. Luckily I am able to say to my family and friends "I need to sleep", or "I can't do whatever today" and they are very understanding. I like to think that I have started this year in a very positive frame of mind compared to the last 2 years. Happy New Year.

[plaxy]

Hi got it a few months after mastectomy and all lymph nodes removed..What depresses me is i was doing exercises religiously after surgery..l have started radiotherapy now and not sure how my arm will be after radiotherapy..I was given a sleeve and gloves awaiting appt date to see the nurses or physio in our local Hospice..

[Boobilicious]

HI,

I was also fanatacal about doing exercises aftr mastectomy and axillary clearance. I have come to a conclusion that I have a predisposition as my hands and feet always have swollen in hot weather, travelling etc before my illness. I do get very tired as well and have to admit defeat. Times when I have experienced more stress ie divorce, bereavement have all had a negative effect as well.

My colleague who has ben going through treatment recently did not notice a huge increase folowing rads, but and I agree, weight is the worst trigger so we are both looking at 2013 to become skinng and sylph like!!!