lymphodema in breast any suggestions

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sinee
sinee Member Posts: 196 Member
in Breast Cancer #1
Hi all, I am experienceing lymphodema in my breast, I had a lumpectomy along with chemo and rads~all my lymphnodes were removed on the one side, 5 presented with cancer~my RO said it sometimes happens in large breasted women, but didn't have any solutions to relieve the discomfort....anyone out there find a solution? I am now applying a cod liver oil pack to try to ger some relief~any other info would be helpful, Thanks so much, Sinee

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  • Gabe N Abby Mom
    Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
    #2
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    Ask for a referral for a
    Ask for a referral for a certified lymphedema specialist. They are usually physical therapists with additional training. You'll also want to look for one experienced with mastectomy/lumpectomy patients.

    They should show you some simple massage techniques that you can do once or twice a day to help move the lymph fluid through the lymph system.

    And of course you should drink lots and lots of water while reducing your salt intake. I was told 1500 mg or less of salt each day.

    I hope you get some relief soon.

    Hugs,

    Linda
  • sinee
    sinee Member Posts: 196 Member
    #3
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    Gabe N Abby Mom said:

    Ask for a referral for a
    Ask for a referral for a certified lymphedema specialist. They are usually physical therapists with additional training. You'll also want to look for one experienced with mastectomy/lumpectomy patients.

    They should show you some simple massage techniques that you can do once or twice a day to help move the lymph fluid through the lymph system.

    And of course you should drink lots and lots of water while reducing your salt intake. I was told 1500 mg or less of salt each day.

    I hope you get some relief soon.

    Hugs,

    Linda

    thank you!
    I will call the physical therapist tomorrow~and I never thought about the water intake or reducing the salt~silly of me~so thanks I will do all three~hope you are doing ok my dear~thinking of you, and all that you are enduring~love to you Linda~Sinee
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    #4
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    sinee said:

    thank you!
    I will call the physical therapist tomorrow~and I never thought about the water intake or reducing the salt~silly of me~so thanks I will do all three~hope you are doing ok my dear~thinking of you, and all that you are enduring~love to you Linda~Sinee

    Sinee I'm having the same
    Sinee I'm having the same issue and will be contacting a lyphedema therapist. I'm terrible when it comes to salt so I guess I better start drinking.
  • butterflylvr
    butterflylvr Member Posts: 944
    #5
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    natly15 said:

    Sinee I'm having the same
    Sinee I'm having the same issue and will be contacting a lyphedema therapist. I'm terrible when it comes to salt so I guess I better start drinking.

    Buddy...
    Nothing new to add.... Just wanted to give ya a gentle hug.

    Lorrie
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #6
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    See a Certified
    See a Certified Lymphedemologist. My Guy has a Masters in Occupational Therapy.

    Actually it's not all that unusual to have issues with lymphedema in the chest, under arm and/or around to the back. Learn MLD (Manual Lymphedema Drainage) massasge. There are garment designed for the areas also (like sleeves/gloves for arms). For me, my FlexiTouch (MLD machine) keeps mine faily well under control.

    See a CERTIFED Lymphedemologist for help.

    Susan
  • mamolady
    mamolady Member Posts: 796 Member
    #7
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    I was going to suggest the
    I was going to suggest the LE specialist too. I have getting blocked up under the armpit. The PT showed me a massage to help. With her help my arms measure the same now!!!!! Still need the sleeve but it shows how much a professional can help.

    Cindy
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    #8
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    mamolady said:

    I was going to suggest the
    I was going to suggest the LE specialist too. I have getting blocked up under the armpit. The PT showed me a massage to help. With her help my arms measure the same now!!!!! Still need the sleeve but it shows how much a professional can help.

    Cindy

    Sinee, my situation is very similar to yours
    In Dec. '09 I had a lumpectomy, re-excision for clean margins, 23 nodes removed, 6 rounds chemo and 33 rads. I haven't developed the typical lymphedema with swelling in the arm, but I do have breast and trunk swelling on that side. I've seen a cert. lymph specialist, gone for quite a few massage treatments from her and used a machine at the clinic called a "Flexi-Touch" machine for lymphedema. It is very expensive ($10,000+), but my insurance covered it and I now have one at home which I use frequently. My therapist also taught my husband to apply Kinesio Tape which acts to lift the skin layer so that fluid can move more freely and not build up. None of these are cures, but they do help.

    I'm hoping you find a good therapist in your area. Maybe you can mention the Flexitouch and Kinesio taping and see if they have experience with these.

    Good luck to you. I know this is a really annoying side effect of this miserable disease, but it is manageable and I try not to let it affect my life too much.

    Keep us posted.

    Hugs, Renee
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #9
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    missrenee said:

    Sinee, my situation is very similar to yours
    In Dec. '09 I had a lumpectomy, re-excision for clean margins, 23 nodes removed, 6 rounds chemo and 33 rads. I haven't developed the typical lymphedema with swelling in the arm, but I do have breast and trunk swelling on that side. I've seen a cert. lymph specialist, gone for quite a few massage treatments from her and used a machine at the clinic called a "Flexi-Touch" machine for lymphedema. It is very expensive ($10,000+), but my insurance covered it and I now have one at home which I use frequently. My therapist also taught my husband to apply Kinesio Tape which acts to lift the skin layer so that fluid can move more freely and not build up. None of these are cures, but they do help.

    I'm hoping you find a good therapist in your area. Maybe you can mention the Flexitouch and Kinesio taping and see if they have experience with these.

    Good luck to you. I know this is a really annoying side effect of this miserable disease, but it is manageable and I try not to let it affect my life too much.

    Keep us posted.

    Hugs, Renee

    FlexiTouch is great

    When mine was ordered, it sat at VA for about 3 weeks before they could get a Rep over here to set it up/fit it to me as the closest Rep was over 350 miles away and it was winter with blizzards. My LE Guy is now their Rep for this area. Back in June - I had a "blow out" between several sections in the upper body part of garment - called them and had a new one in 2 days.

    Kinesio tape does nothing for me at all - I know it works great for some but not me. But then I'm wierd - the higher compression garments I try to wear the more edema - light works best.

    Susan
  • sinee
    sinee Member Posts: 196 Member
    #10
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    Thanks Everyone
    I have written down everything you suggested~ I will keep you posted as to what works for me, and if I learn anything else about this~love to you all for responding~Sinee
  • sinee
    sinee Member Posts: 196 Member
    #11
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    butterflylvr said:

    Buddy...
    Nothing new to add.... Just wanted to give ya a gentle hug.

    Lorrie

    gentle hug
    accepted, and thank you~:)

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