Lymphedema

roxanne53
roxanne53 Member Posts: 154
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Has anyone heard of lymphedema in the chest wall area that makes your cribs hurt near the masectomy and breast area? Or is this type of pain and discomfort due to the surgery, breast and lymph nodes taken, because they do alot of cutting and pulling in that area.

Thanks for the help.
Roxanne

Comments

  • hummingbyrd
    hummingbyrd Member Posts: 950 Member
    #2
    My guess is its related to the surgery. They cut and do a lot of damage to nerve endings that can cause chronic pain, but usually resolves in 6 months to a year. I'd be sure and mention it to your doctor. I haven't had a mastectomy, but I've heard lots of people complain of same pain. Most doctors blow it off, unfortunately, making women feel like it's their imagination. The pain is real so don't let your MD tell you different. Hopefully you have a sympathetic doc!
    God bless.
    hummingbyrd
  • roxanne53
    roxanne53 Member Posts: 154
    #3
    hummingbyrd said:

    My guess is its related to the surgery. They cut and do a lot of damage to nerve endings that can cause chronic pain, but usually resolves in 6 months to a year. I'd be sure and mention it to your doctor. I haven't had a mastectomy, but I've heard lots of people complain of same pain. Most doctors blow it off, unfortunately, making women feel like it's their imagination. The pain is real so don't let your MD tell you different. Hopefully you have a sympathetic doc!
    God bless.
    hummingbyrd

    Hummingbyrd,
    Thanks. Yes, I have good doctors. I think it part of the surgery, too. Sure can be painful. Feels like the ribs are jabbing me. Something like that.
    Will check with doctor soon.

    God Bless.
    Roxanne
  • hounddog
    hounddog Member Posts: 115
    #4
    Yes I have lymphedema in my right hand and arm a friend of ours that lives in Albuquerque NM taught me how to message my hand and arm .Put Lotion on the hand and arm and message the hand and arm up ward and do this every day.
    Marilyn
  • seeknpeace
    seeknpeace Member Posts: 259
    #5
    Hi Roxanne,

    I too have a lot of rib pain. I have attributed mine mostly to the tram flap reconstruction, but, I don't know that for sure. When I overdo it, my ribs facing toward each other on each side hurt so badly, and if I eat one bite too much, the left side kills me. I am five mos since surgery and hope that this gets better. The only thing that really helps me is to lay on my back.

    I don't think that I have ever read of lymphedema anywhere but the arms as relates to breast cancer. They cut us up pretty bad when we are operated on. And, move us around a lot. Has to be a lot of healing that happends.

    Good luck and hang in there.
  • KLLONG
    KLLONG Member Posts: 8
    #6
    You can have lymphedema anywhere because lymphatic fluid flows throughout your body. I developed lymphedema in my arm and I also had it at the waist on the affected side. I also know that my entire body on that side doesn't drain as well as the other side and sometimes even my foot is swollen. I haven't experienced rib pain so I don't know if lymphedema or surgery is to blame. Hope you get relief!! Take care.

    Karen

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