3 months after radiotherapy

Hello ,

I am replying to your question to 'pump your post back to first page' in hope others will be able to reply to you.

I can't really answer your question, I can give you a few 'ideas as food for thought'.....

I wonder if you have 'strained' the area - overworked it and it is created a swelling to protect the area.

Could you have an 'infection starting' - with this the area may become hot to the touch, skin can look red along with swelling.

I would say 'keep your eye on this' - if things start to get worse contact  Hospital again and maybe ask if you could take a photograph and send to them or if it is possible to have a 'video call' with a Doctor, this way you could show them the area of concern - this way you would avoid having to go to the hospital at this difficult time.

Hoping others will be along soon to offer you some guidance. 

Hi Breathdeeply

I had a lumpectomy and Rads with 8 nodes removed. 

My boon swells and goes hard and I've been diagnosed with lymphedema. It doesn't hurt if it is swollen like you say it feels tight. I can't sleep on my right side,surgery was on my left ,because it all pulls. The swelling isn't always uniform and the boob can feel quite lumpy at times. 

I know it's not a good day if I put my hand over my nipple and press. The slack skin looks like orange peel with the pores in the skin showing very clearly. As you move the pressure around I can see how much of the area is affected. 

If you can see that dimpling in the skin you must contact the BC nurse and tell her. It's not a major issue and it can be managed but you need referring to lymphedema clinic. The fluid isn't moving as it should and like stagnant water the risk of infection is increased.

While your waiting massage the area. Start high on the chest stroking firmly and go down and round the boob gradually with the strokes getting longer and going up. If you look on you tube there are a few videos about breast massage. Lie on your back to do it. The area feels slightly softer when you've done, but the more times you can do it the better.

Wear a firm well supporting bra that feels a little tight in the cup.

Don't worry, IF it is lymphedema it can be sorted. 

I hope that helps

I’ve had similar to breatdeeply for the last couple weeks, thought all going well and then started having swelling with pain around nipple and scars. I’ve had three ops for dcis. My  radiotherapy finished beginning of April. I also have pins needles in the arm on that side.

I started work again two weeks ago, worried working on a laptop at home has aggravated it. I have been doing the arm exercises and lots walking, but quite stressed about working again; and thought it might be down to that. Now I wonder if I should stop working for a week or two and see if it improves. Not sure that’s a long term solution though!

I have decided to ring the bc nurse next week, but worried they’ll say it’s too soon as isn’t it a long term side effect, also what can they do? I’m not sure if they’ll see me... 

Hi there

Based on my experience, I would suggest you keep an eye on it but do push for more help if you feel it isn't improving. I spent months being fobbed off by a large London hospital before being diagnosed with lymphedema and cellulitis in my treated breast which are both now permanent. I also had an infection in the breast for 7 months which was finally diagnosed by a private lymph specialist as the hospital failed to diagnose it. 

Things I have found which do help - wear a super supportive bra (think 1990's Madonna!) which lifts the breast up so that there is little or no overhang on the lower part of the breast, wear a bra overnight, try not to sleep on the affected side so that the lymph flows better, exercise lots (specific lymph exercises such as those on the Haven website, but also lots of walking makes a big difference), check out Self Lymphatic Drainage techniques online and use them to massage the breast.

Hopefully this will be short term and will clear over time, but don't ignore it.

xx

I’m so glad I found your post.  I finished radiotherapy at the end of Feb.  I was red and sore but no blisters or broken skin.  

Now 4 months later, with only a couple of telephone appointments due to CV, I find my nipple and surrounding area is very dark brown, it was very pale before.  Really hard and wrinkled like leather.  My scars are both virtually under my left arm but underneath my boob feels lumpy and ridged.  My whole breast feels a bit warm inside, not to touch, tender and very heavy.  The pores on my breast are dark brown and feel like little tiny spots.  I have tightness under my arm and down to my nipple when I lift my arm to do stretches (that’s where my scars are). 

The BCN said it’s part of RT the gift that keeps on giving.  Does anyone else have these sort of after effects?  I did wonder if I should contact BCN again.  I’m very well otherwise.

Keep well everybody xx