Lymphodema in my boob.Help please

Hello sweetheart, I'm sorry your in a pickle.  I can't help as such but just wanted to throw a few thoughts out to you.  ...

I'm thinking a lot went on when surgeon was having a rummage about - so a lot of healing and sore nerves etc needing time to heal. 
I'm wondering 'could you have an infection?' - does your boob have any redness or hot to the touch? (Thinking if so would a bourse if antibiotics be of help) 

Im trying to think of how you could encourage drainage - the thing is the lymph-node area may still have a fair bit of healing to do - hence not draining away..... if the area is okay when wearing the kieso tape - well this shows it's working, I'm wondering if you could wear it in the days you say are rest days - maybe for less time.  

You mention skin coming away - I think skin will be very delicate following the radiotherapy- just wondering though if you could be allergic to the actual tape?

Sorry I can't help more - I'm sure some of the Fruit Loops will be able to offer you better advise.  

sending love and hugs xxxxx

Hi What

Are you nocturnal now? Thank you for the back up.

My boob is not infected. I know because it has been twice, just before RADs started and at the beginning of the year. That's one of the worries when the fluid stops its like a stagnating pond and infection is more likely. 

I've wondered about being allergic to the tape but the skin is only affected at the ends of the tape not along the length. I am wondering about splitting my rest days but with the scabs the boob is beginning to look like spotted dick pudding. Very attractive. It's still blue tipped from the dye!!!

I hope you are asleep now. Rainy day expected so I'll have a rest day I think with lots of massage to my boob.

Have a safe day.

Hi , sorry you’re in this pickle, I have lympheodema in bad boob too but have got away with a milder version. You will probably have heard the advice I was given already but here’s what seems to have helped me.... 

Mine came to light at my post rads follow up, when I asked why bad boob was bigger than the other, despite having been scooped out and radiated (which I’d read could make it tighter and smaller). It also felt like the ‘engorgement’ I’d had when breastfeeding. And still tender, with horrible scabby inverted nipple. They said possibly lympheodema, referred me to the local lympheodema service, and also gave me antibiotics as they thought it looked like I could have an underlying infection. Fast forward, lympheodema nurse confirmed it, showed me simple massage, and recommended Nordic walking and/ or swimming/ aquarobics. And said I must get a much more supportive bra (I was still wearing soft front opening post op bras). I sorted the bras and signed up for Nordic walking which I’ve done ever since. I try to swim weekly when possible  but not a big fan. The other thing that I read early on after my op was to sleep on my back to avoid lympheodema. I hated it at first as I’m naturally a side sleeper, but have stuck to it as it still doesn’t feel comfortable to lie on either side. Boob feels either like it’s dangling with a stone inside, on one side, or like it’s being squashed on the other. So I sleep on my back, which is apparently better posturally anyway. I don’t if that also helps with the lympheodema now.

The main thing I credit with helping is the Nordic walking, it’s really become a passion for me. Obviously my outdoor classes are all cancelled atm but we are doing zoom exercise classes with poles and I walk every day myself, usually with the poles unless I have the dog. Don’t know if it could help you, once things start up again, whenever that is.... 

Sorry this is probably not much help as you have a more severe version, I have sometimes wondered if I’d have been better to have had a mastectomy as I’m quite small breasted anyway, but it wasn’t discussed as an option. Like you I still have blue tinges from the dye, 18 months on! I read somewhere here that it could be due to poor draining. 

Wishing you a restful day, grey here but so far not raining so will hopefully be out walking later. Love and hugs, HFxx

Hi I have lymphedema as well doesn’t need bandages or anything but as part of my after treatment I see hospitals Physio who gave me lymphatic drainage exercises to do also found some on net and YouTube they really help.
If it’s affordable you maybe able to find a lymphatic drainage massage clinic.

I use my weights to do arm exercises lots of positive information re exercises.

All the best

Hi I have lymphedema as well doesn’t need bandages or anything but as part of my after treatment I see hospitals Physio who gave me lymphatic drainage exercises to do also found some on net and YouTube they really help.
If it’s affordable you maybe able to find a lymphatic drainage massage clinic.

I use my weights to do arm exercises lots of positive information re exercises.

All the best