Lymphodema question

hopeful in tally
hopeful in tally Member Posts: 56
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I am truly looking forward to the opportunity to come to this website and be a strong source of support for all who will come after me. Although I do pray for everyone on this website, I seem to have more questions that answers at this point in my recovery. Diagnosed with DCIS on March 24 of this year ... followed by a quadrectomy on April 1st ... clear margins and 7 weeks of radiation ordered. After treatment #11 (yesterday), met with the Doctor with concerns about swollen and reddened breast that was being treated. Doctor was concerned enough to stop radiation until Monday and give me a heavy duty dose of antibiotics in case there was an infection. Additionally he sent me to see my surgeon today who diagnosed the problem as Lymphodema. Yet...another new term that I know nothing about. Doctor says it is a result of the surgery, the radiation and large, heavy breast tissue. So...what does this mean and how does it effect the ooutcome of my treatment? Once again, if anyone can shed some light on this new terminology, I would be very grateful. With love and prayers and much appreciation to all!

Comments

  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #2
    Lymphedema
    Lymphedema is a fairly common complication associated with anything that disrupts or destroys lymphatic circulation causing blockage and swelling. This can be radiation or surgery or many other causes. There are many treatments for lymphedema and the first thing I would do is google lymphedema. The Mayo Clinic has info at www.mayoclinic.com/health/lymphedema/DS00609. Emedicine has a more comprehensive article, but may be too technical. There are exercises, compression garments and therapies, and medications that can help. It will be important for you to keep the swelling under control as the swelling can make the affected area more prone to infection. Don't know where you live, but some large centers have lymphedema specialists who can really help. You might ask around. I hope this helps and, please know, big prayers are coming your way.
  • e_hope
    e_hope Member Posts: 370
    #3
    common
    lymphodema is quite common and the more nodes you had removed increases the risk.

    Management consist of meeting with a lymphodema specialist for massage therapist to help move the edema out of the area and kick start the lymphatic system (which rids body of junk) which is now compromised. They might also recommend you wear a sleeve which is made of a compression material to keep the swelling down...


    Your affected arm (the side where nodes have been removed) needs to be taken care of no blood pressures, no blood draws, if you get a injury to that arm it needs to be addressed immediately! washed, antibiotic ointment, and band aid.... lifting needs to start very light and built up to retrain the lymphatic system to handle the load...

    good luck
  • hopeful in tally
    hopeful in tally Member Posts: 56
    #4
    e_hope said:

    common
    lymphodema is quite common and the more nodes you had removed increases the risk.

    Management consist of meeting with a lymphodema specialist for massage therapist to help move the edema out of the area and kick start the lymphatic system (which rids body of junk) which is now compromised. They might also recommend you wear a sleeve which is made of a compression material to keep the swelling down...


    Your affected arm (the side where nodes have been removed) needs to be taken care of no blood pressures, no blood draws, if you get a injury to that arm it needs to be addressed immediately! washed, antibiotic ointment, and band aid.... lifting needs to start very light and built up to retrain the lymphatic system to handle the load...

    good luck

    Thank you for the swift
    Thank you for the swift responses. Doctor did not mention any of these remedies. I did not have any nodes removed ... should that make a difference? I am wondering if I have the same issue you have addressed. Right now, my breast is swollen and red. Only 11 treatments of radiation so far and it is now on hold until Monday. Radiology Oncologist prescribed antibiotics. Suggestions??????? THANK YOU!!
  • ladyg
    ladyg Member Posts: 1,577
    #5
    I didn't know either
    I didn't know what to do either. My rad onc sent me to a therapist in my area. She did a message treatment and while she was doing it she showed my husband how to do it so he could help me. She also told me to be careful and not lift anything heavy with that arm as it will also aggrevate it. I also got a compression sleeve which she said I should wear when I feel like my arm is swelling. I have done the massage almost every day and it does help. I am going in to see her again on Friday as Iwant to make sure we are doing the massages correctly. I will let you know if she has any other suggestions.

    Hugs
  • TawnyS
    TawnyS Member Posts: 144 Member
    #6
    Gosh...I'm not thinking it is lymphedema
    Now that you have said you didn't have any nodes removed that makes me wonder if you might want to get it checked out by a second opinion. It doesn't sound like lymphedema to me. I have severe lymphedema due to having all my nodes removed from my right arm. Now anyone with even one or two removed can get lymphedema, but as someone else posted, the more removed the higher risk. I have never had it affect my breast area. It is always the arm and hand and fingers. I am lucky that I go to a facility that has a physical therapist that deals just with lymphedema. There is a lot that is involved if you do have it. There are specific massage techniques, different compression sleeves and gloves and these sleeves are fitted for you. A therapist will measure several areas of your arm and hand (if a glove is needed). This isn't just a sleeve you go buy at the drug store. I actually just got approved for a massage machine at home called the flexitouch. I tried it out at the PT office and my insurance approved it and I will be getting it in about 6 weeks. Anyway, I hope that what I have described helps you out. I would definitely get a second opinion on this one. I didn't have radiation, so maybe it is an infection from that? I'm sure some ladies out there can advise on that. Please keep us posted. Hugs! Tawny
  • KayNYC
    KayNYC Member Posts: 495 Member
    #7
    Dear Hopeful in Tally,
    Your message is timely as I just returned from my 6th radiation treatment and meeting with the covering doctor. My ONC is away this week. I had left lumpectomy and six nodes removed in mid March. My tumor was tiny (3mm) and the nodes were clear and margins well defined.
    When the nurse took my vital signs and did the measurements, there was a clear difference between the right and left breast and arms. She suggested I look into the lymphedema sleeve and bra. She said she would get me more information about those tomorrow. The doctor did not seem at all concerned about the increased swelling as my skin condition on the affected side remains good with no redness or dryness. Matter of fact, she said "its too early to expect skin changes...". I am looking into a specific Yoga program for Breast Cancer, I have enjoyed yoga practice in the past and have been told it can relieve the fatigue that is usually associated with radiation treatment.Others have also recommended it to help with the lymph drainage. I have heard of specific PT for lymph edema but it appears that there is some difference in opinion between the covering doctor and the nurse. I am eagerly awaiting discussion of this with my regular Onc. on Monday.Now it leaves me wondering what is in store for me over the remainder of my radiation treatment.
    Putting in good thoughts and prayers that you get some answers and strategies to manage the edema. I have allergies to several antibiotics and I am praying I won't require them to deal with this problem.
    Keep me posted.
    Hugs, K

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