swelling and radiation

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ksfc
ksfc Member Posts: 251
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I'd like to hear others experience with this.
I'm about 9 weeks out of radiation which followed a lumpectomy and chemo(AC). I also had a staph infection after surgery which left me with mild lymphadema. When I last saw the radiation onc at my 6 weeks checkup, I had some swelling, but in the last couple of weeks it has gotten worse, and I've got that lovely orange peely texture. I'm a D cup to start with so this is rather uncomfortable. I ordered larger bras and am wearing a cotton knit leasure bra at night. Is there anything else I should be doing? Could this be connected to my lymphadema or is it just the after-effects of radiation? I'm receiving lymphadema treatment and have a sleeve ordered. I'd like to hear from some of you that have experienced this. Thanks so much!
Diane

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  • prayerangel
    prayerangel Member Posts: 147
    #2
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    Gee, I haven't experienced or heard of that much swelling related to the radiation. The radiation burned me badly and I had a mastectomy. I took sponge baths, not showers, my skin didn't like the warm/hot water. I also used really great/expensive cream from the health food store 2X a day. My skin is just a little darker now (1.5 yrs. later)where the radiation was. I also had little bouts of lymphodema and when I layed down or sat up I put my whole arm on 2 pillows to raise it up. I noticed carrying groceries in that hand triggers swelling in my arm. The sleeve helps and so does the physical therapy. Good luck and keep us posted. Karen
  • hummingbyrd
    hummingbyrd Member Posts: 950 Member
    #3
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    I'm 2 yrs 4 mo out of surgery, lumpectomy w/ 27 lymph nodes removed. I too have had radiation. The Onc Rad MD told me if he did radiation to my posterior axillary area?, I think that was the area, that I would definitely get lymphedema. You might ck w/ your MD. I do know I am developing some mild swelling now by the end of the day esp if I'm active. No lifting >5-10# (yeah right) and no repetitous movement. Now that one I like means no sweeping, mopping, vacuming, scrubbing toilets... It really does make a difference, don't push it, the lymphedema will only get worse. There's a whole list of other things to avoid email me if u want 'the list.' Hummingbyrd
  • nasa2537
    nasa2537 Member Posts: 311
    #4
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    Hi Diane...I had breast swelling and peeling after radiation, and the radiation oncologist had me use gobs of Aquaphor ointment. I wore an old t-shirt to bed, and really slathered it on. This heals the skin. The swelling eventually goes down on it's own. I know it's a pain in the butt, but it will go away. I also took benadry generic at bedtime, which helped with some of the inflammation in the skin. Once the skin is no longer broken anywhere, you can also try 1% hydrocortisone cream over the counter...it helps take some of the redness & inflammation out of the skin, too, but you aren't supposed to use it on broken skin...just the Aquaphor. My oncologist gave me the Aquaphor, but you can buy it at Wal-Mart, and probably any drug store. Good luck! Cyndi
  • ksfc
    ksfc Member Posts: 251
    #5
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    nasa2537 said:

    Hi Diane...I had breast swelling and peeling after radiation, and the radiation oncologist had me use gobs of Aquaphor ointment. I wore an old t-shirt to bed, and really slathered it on. This heals the skin. The swelling eventually goes down on it's own. I know it's a pain in the butt, but it will go away. I also took benadry generic at bedtime, which helped with some of the inflammation in the skin. Once the skin is no longer broken anywhere, you can also try 1% hydrocortisone cream over the counter...it helps take some of the redness & inflammation out of the skin, too, but you aren't supposed to use it on broken skin...just the Aquaphor. My oncologist gave me the Aquaphor, but you can buy it at Wal-Mart, and probably any drug store. Good luck! Cyndi

    Thanks Cyndi, My burns have totally healed.
    It's the swelling I was concerned about. I'm glad to hear that yours went away eventually. I expected the burns but not the swelling and I didn't know if my lymphadema treatment was increasing the breast swelling or if it was just coincidence. Diane
  • ksfc
    ksfc Member Posts: 251
    #6
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    prayerangel said:

    Gee, I haven't experienced or heard of that much swelling related to the radiation. The radiation burned me badly and I had a mastectomy. I took sponge baths, not showers, my skin didn't like the warm/hot water. I also used really great/expensive cream from the health food store 2X a day. My skin is just a little darker now (1.5 yrs. later)where the radiation was. I also had little bouts of lymphodema and when I layed down or sat up I put my whole arm on 2 pillows to raise it up. I noticed carrying groceries in that hand triggers swelling in my arm. The sleeve helps and so does the physical therapy. Good luck and keep us posted. Karen

    Thanks Karen. I got burned pretty badly too, but the burns healed quickly with a prescription ointment from the rad onc.
    I'm having pretty good luck with my lymphadema treatment and the sleeve should be here next week - just not sure what to do about the breast swelling. Diane
  • ksfc
    ksfc Member Posts: 251
    #7
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    hummingbyrd said:

    I'm 2 yrs 4 mo out of surgery, lumpectomy w/ 27 lymph nodes removed. I too have had radiation. The Onc Rad MD told me if he did radiation to my posterior axillary area?, I think that was the area, that I would definitely get lymphedema. You might ck w/ your MD. I do know I am developing some mild swelling now by the end of the day esp if I'm active. No lifting >5-10# (yeah right) and no repetitous movement. Now that one I like means no sweeping, mopping, vacuming, scrubbing toilets... It really does make a difference, don't push it, the lymphedema will only get worse. There's a whole list of other things to avoid email me if u want 'the list.' Hummingbyrd

    Thanks Hummingbyrd! I knew the radiation was probably going to make the lymphadema worse because it had already started with the staph infection and they prepared me for that. I just wasn't prepared for the amount of breast swelling I have. I have that list of things to avoid and try to stick as close to it as I can. I also like some of it - my husband's still doing all the vacuuming - LOL! At least we get some good out of it, right? Diane
  • shirlann
    shirlann Member Posts: 229
    #8
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    GO AT ONCE FOR A 2ND OPINION AT A BREAST CANCER CLINIC!

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