edema in breast

sinee
sinee Member Posts: 196 Member
in Breast Cancer #1
any suggestions on how to move the fluid? I had a lumpectomy, and had all lymph nodes removed under my arm...arm is not swollen but my breast is, any thing working for anyone out there? I do several exercises~Doc's were no help~I have large breasts so they blamed it on that~thanks Sinee

Comments

  • beachmom
    beachmom Member Posts: 50
    #2
    suggestion
    Hi,
    So sorry you are having this problem. I had a great PT after my surgery in Oct., a breast cancer survivor herself. Here's what I did to reduce fluid build up. Do a series of exercises to get the fluid moving. Snow angels, raising arms straight in the air and making large circular motions. With the palm of your hand, from pinkie finger to thumb, gently massage your stomach beginning on the left, 10 times, move to the middle of your stomach, thumb to pinkie, 10 times, move to the right side, pinkie to thumb. You then gently massage under your arm and finally very gently massage the underside of your breast. Hope this helps you, it's my only suggestion!
  • beachmom
    beachmom Member Posts: 50
    #3
    suggestion
    Hi,
    So sorry you are having this problem. I had a great PT after my surgery in Oct., a breast cancer survivor herself. Here's what I did to reduce fluid build up. Do a series of exercises to get the fluid moving. Snow angels, raising arms straight in the air and making large circular motions. With the palm of your hand, from pinkie finger to thumb, gently massage your stomach beginning on the left, 10 times, move to the middle of your stomach, thumb to pinkie, 10 times, move to the right side, pinkie to thumb. You then gently massage under your arm and finally very gently massage the underside of your breast. Hope this helps you, it's my only suggestion!
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    #4
    beachmom said:

    suggestion
    Hi,
    So sorry you are having this problem. I had a great PT after my surgery in Oct., a breast cancer survivor herself. Here's what I did to reduce fluid build up. Do a series of exercises to get the fluid moving. Snow angels, raising arms straight in the air and making large circular motions. With the palm of your hand, from pinkie finger to thumb, gently massage your stomach beginning on the left, 10 times, move to the middle of your stomach, thumb to pinkie, 10 times, move to the right side, pinkie to thumb. You then gently massage under your arm and finally very gently massage the underside of your breast. Hope this helps you, it's my only suggestion!

    Hi Sinee
    I also had a lumpectomy, re-excision and 23 nodes removed back in Dec. '09. I have had fluid in that breast ever since. Some days are better than others and I find the weather can be a factor as well as to the severity. This is lymphedema--but in the breast. Luckily, my arm has been okay.

    I've seen a PT, done exercises and got a script for a Flexi-Touch machine. These all work to move the fluid to lymph nodes that can disperse it (neck nodes, chest nodes even groin nodes). There is really no "cure" because the fluid just comes back. However, you can get relief and manage it. My surgeon said this is very common with lumpectomies (especially if they are quite large and deep).

    By the way, my surgeon had never heard of a Flexi-Touch machine. I got that info from a great lymphedema therapist!

    Hope you find some relief.

    Hugs, Renee
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #5
    missrenee said:

    Hi Sinee
    I also had a lumpectomy, re-excision and 23 nodes removed back in Dec. '09. I have had fluid in that breast ever since. Some days are better than others and I find the weather can be a factor as well as to the severity. This is lymphedema--but in the breast. Luckily, my arm has been okay.

    I've seen a PT, done exercises and got a script for a Flexi-Touch machine. These all work to move the fluid to lymph nodes that can disperse it (neck nodes, chest nodes even groin nodes). There is really no "cure" because the fluid just comes back. However, you can get relief and manage it. My surgeon said this is very common with lumpectomies (especially if they are quite large and deep).

    By the way, my surgeon had never heard of a Flexi-Touch machine. I got that info from a great lymphedema therapist!

    Hope you find some relief.

    Hugs, Renee

    Flexi-Touch are great!
    I've had mine a bit over a year and it definately makes a BIG difference. There was a 'blow out' between a couple of the upper body chambers so couldn't use it for about a week til the new one came and definately a big difference.

    They aren't inexpensive. I'd been working with my Certified Lymphedemologist guy for at least 9 mths when he talked to others and they told him to order me one. He had never used a Flexi-Touch before but had used some other brands and didn't think they were worth the 'bother' or cost (all were cheaper than FT). He is now the Representative for them in this area - next closest is over 300 miles away.

    Susan
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #6
    See a Certified Lymphedemologist
    There are massage techniques that help with drainage and garments. They can teach you how and evaluate you. I have day and night garments for my hand/arm as my elbow area is the worst. Have some issues on chest but at this time my LE guy doesn't think the chest garments are called for for me.

    Be sure to deal with a CERTIFIED Lymphedemologist - not some PT that says they know everything about LE (there are a few PT's that are also a Certified LE). LE is not going to go away but with proper care it can be managed. If not properly managed it can progress. Massage done wrong can cause more problems.

    My Drs were all quite up on LE - Dr T. noticed it before I did and referred me. He did say that treating it wasn't in what he did but gett8ng me to an LE was - they deal with. It.

    Susan
  • GrammyKaren
    GrammyKaren Member Posts: 96
    #7
    Rague said:

    See a Certified Lymphedemologist
    There are massage techniques that help with drainage and garments. They can teach you how and evaluate you. I have day and night garments for my hand/arm as my elbow area is the worst. Have some issues on chest but at this time my LE guy doesn't think the chest garments are called for for me.

    Be sure to deal with a CERTIFIED Lymphedemologist - not some PT that says they know everything about LE (there are a few PT's that are also a Certified LE). LE is not going to go away but with proper care it can be managed. If not properly managed it can progress. Massage done wrong can cause more problems.

    My Drs were all quite up on LE - Dr T. noticed it before I did and referred me. He did say that treating it wasn't in what he did but gett8ng me to an LE was - they deal with. It.

    Susan

    I had this after lumpectomy
    I almost always follow instruction to the max. But in my case I stopped wearing the surgical bra after 2 weeks. thought it was ok....dumb.

    My breasts are heavy and dense and pulling of gravity gave my infection without the support. I had to be drained twice by my surgeon. Breast was pink like berries....Antibiotics and bra and I got thru it tho it delayed my treatment till infection were cleared up.

    Bra 24 hours a day is what she told me.
    I will listen from now on.

    Hugs,
    Karen
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #8
    missrenee said:

    Hi Sinee
    I also had a lumpectomy, re-excision and 23 nodes removed back in Dec. '09. I have had fluid in that breast ever since. Some days are better than others and I find the weather can be a factor as well as to the severity. This is lymphedema--but in the breast. Luckily, my arm has been okay.

    I've seen a PT, done exercises and got a script for a Flexi-Touch machine. These all work to move the fluid to lymph nodes that can disperse it (neck nodes, chest nodes even groin nodes). There is really no "cure" because the fluid just comes back. However, you can get relief and manage it. My surgeon said this is very common with lumpectomies (especially if they are quite large and deep).

    By the way, my surgeon had never heard of a Flexi-Touch machine. I got that info from a great lymphedema therapist!

    Hope you find some relief.

    Hugs, Renee

    If you can, see a lymphedema
    If you can, see a lymphedema specialist and if you don't have one of those in your area, a physical therapist can help you a lot. Good luck!


    Lex
  • pchinlq
    pchinlq Member Posts: 4
    #9
    Edema in breast
    First, there is a great book called "Lymphedema - A Breast Cancer Patient's Guide to Prevention and Healing", by Jeannie Burt and Gwen White, P.T. Available at Amazon. I purchase one for myself and my sister. It has great information for those of us dealing with lymphedema and there are also exercises to help.

    If you continue to have issues you have to be an advocate for yourself and demand treatment and this is why:

    I have been dealing/suffering, yes suffering, with this issue since in my left breast since the end of August 2011. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel lobe biopsy, followed by radiation. During radiation my breast was bright red and when I went for my one month follow-up it was not only red, but swollen and pitted. I was told I had edema and "released" by my radiation oncologist and left to my own devices. Thank God for the boards! (This is how I found out about the book.) By early November my breast was about twice its original size. My general practioner requested a referral to a lymphedema clinic, but this all takes time. The Sunday after Thanksgiving I became extremely ill with a fever of 103 and... My husband took me to emergency where we learned that I had "Celluitis" in my breast. I was hospitalized for 4 days and that was followed by 2 weeks of antibiotic IV infusions, twice a day at home.

    I finally saw a PT specializing in lymphedema at the end of December 2011. The exercises she gave me have done alot to help the situation. It's not gone, but it's so much better. I can't help but believe that I wouldn't have suffered so much and for so long if there was a good follow-up program once you have finished treatment.

    Yesterday I attended "Day of Caring" and there was a wonderful presentation about exercise for those with this disease. Check out www.gohealthysteps.com for information. There are things we can do to help ourselves when others don't hear us.

    I'm sure I shared more than you want to know, but if I'd known then what I know now my life would have been much easier.

    Best wishes.
  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    #10
    pchinlq said:

    Edema in breast
    First, there is a great book called "Lymphedema - A Breast Cancer Patient's Guide to Prevention and Healing", by Jeannie Burt and Gwen White, P.T. Available at Amazon. I purchase one for myself and my sister. It has great information for those of us dealing with lymphedema and there are also exercises to help.

    If you continue to have issues you have to be an advocate for yourself and demand treatment and this is why:

    I have been dealing/suffering, yes suffering, with this issue since in my left breast since the end of August 2011. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel lobe biopsy, followed by radiation. During radiation my breast was bright red and when I went for my one month follow-up it was not only red, but swollen and pitted. I was told I had edema and "released" by my radiation oncologist and left to my own devices. Thank God for the boards! (This is how I found out about the book.) By early November my breast was about twice its original size. My general practioner requested a referral to a lymphedema clinic, but this all takes time. The Sunday after Thanksgiving I became extremely ill with a fever of 103 and... My husband took me to emergency where we learned that I had "Celluitis" in my breast. I was hospitalized for 4 days and that was followed by 2 weeks of antibiotic IV infusions, twice a day at home.

    I finally saw a PT specializing in lymphedema at the end of December 2011. The exercises she gave me have done alot to help the situation. It's not gone, but it's so much better. I can't help but believe that I wouldn't have suffered so much and for so long if there was a good follow-up program once you have finished treatment.

    Yesterday I attended "Day of Caring" and there was a wonderful presentation about exercise for those with this disease. Check out www.gohealthysteps.com for information. There are things we can do to help ourselves when others don't hear us.

    I'm sure I shared more than you want to know, but if I'd known then what I know now my life would have been much easier.

    Best wishes.

    hmmm...
    I have been having problems with this since August too! Right after I finished my radiation, my breast became swollen, red, heavy, and annoying. With some pains in the surrounding areas. Does your breast hurt? Do you also feel swollen veins? I feel those right at the top. At first my Drs. thought I had an infection so they put me on antibiotics for 3 weeks, 4 times a day (not fun!). It didn't go away. So finally they said it was related to edema (or localized lymphedema). I must tell you it is very uncomfortable as I am sure it was for you too. I notice when I lay down the swollen goes down..but then when I start to walk around, all the water drops at the bottom of the breast, making it feel heavy and swollen.

    Thank you for the advice. I will def. look into massage therapy. When I massage it myself I also notice an improvement. Will this go away with time?
  • pchinlq
    pchinlq Member Posts: 4
    #11
    LoveBabyJesus said:

    hmmm...
    I have been having problems with this since August too! Right after I finished my radiation, my breast became swollen, red, heavy, and annoying. With some pains in the surrounding areas. Does your breast hurt? Do you also feel swollen veins? I feel those right at the top. At first my Drs. thought I had an infection so they put me on antibiotics for 3 weeks, 4 times a day (not fun!). It didn't go away. So finally they said it was related to edema (or localized lymphedema). I must tell you it is very uncomfortable as I am sure it was for you too. I notice when I lay down the swollen goes down..but then when I start to walk around, all the water drops at the bottom of the breast, making it feel heavy and swollen.

    Thank you for the advice. I will def. look into massage therapy. When I massage it myself I also notice an improvement. Will this go away with time?

    Lymphedema Specialist
    Yes, my breast still hurts and is still swollen in areas, but at least it's not twice it's size anymore. It drives me nuts and it seems like there's not a moment goes by that I'm not aware that the breast is there. As far as the issue going away, my understanding is it "may" or "may not", "It may get better over time" and "there is a good chance that it will never go completely away". I was told in a very loving way on Friday that I "need to be patient".

    Everyone's situation is a little different. Seeing a "Lymphedema Specialist" would be beneficial to you. In one session, my specialist taught me specific massage techniques to get the lymphatic system moving in the breast area. It has helped tremendously. I do the exercises when I wake up and when I go to bed. It takes less than 5 minutes each time and works wonders.

    Hope you find some relief soon.

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