Top tips on managing fluid build up post OP for men

Hi there and sorry you’re going through this fun time!! It may be early days for you (im 18mths down the line from mastectomy but have only just developed a lymphoedema). you’re obviously getting the right help. I was advised by the clinic to lie down with my arm above my head and with the side of my hand, massage the fluid towards the middle of my chest. It does work but I have to do it approx once a month.  Check with your clinician tho that you should do it that way.  I really wish you well.

Thanks for the reply. That sounds like something I might have to try I'll ask my breast care team first. It's still early days for me after the opp and things are still a bit sore. I have had chemo since March and now have to carry on having it until next June but it's a different type and from what I gather the side affects aren't as bad as the last six months. They weren't even that bad tbh just felt crappy for a few days four or five days after infusion. 

Good grief that’s a long haul with chemo! Have you got a PICC? I had to have infusion via cannulas as both my PICCs caused skin issues but I only had to tolerate 4 months of the ‘red devil’ (carboplatin and doxitaxel). You seem to have ‘sailed’ through it for which I’m happy for you. I whinged all the way and I’m sure they groaned when the chemo unit saw me coming! Lol! It’s a case of grit yer teeth and think of the appointments as your new social life! Xx

Had one removed and 2nd opp for lymph node removal .Personally for me i use 6" paint roller to push fluid away, works for me .nearly 2 years down the line now and I still get stiff chest around scar area when i over do things then out comes paint roller. Kind regards

No I get a new line put in a vain each time I go, seems the easiest way to me. I used to say to the nurses are you sure you gave me the right stuff last time as it didn't really do much. Amazingly enough though my lump on my nipple started to shrink a few days after the first cycle. I was impressed with that. The first cycle was definitely the worst but it was slightly bigger than the rest. 

I also had to have a phesgo (I think that's spelt wrong) injection in my leg at the same time. That's also stopped now as the lump has been removed and the treatment is changing to this other drug.

Hi I did see you say this on a different post earlier thanks for the reply. I might have to give that a go when things settle down a bit more, still a bit painful atm.

Your going to be fine, early days but you will get there, are you going to have radio treatment . There seems to be so many different treatments given to us, I don't know if its the consultants from different areas trying things or  what, i skipped chemo but had radio and just tablets now for 10 years. Kind regards 

Yes I am going to radio therapy in October as there is a waiting list in Exeter hospital for it. I actually got a letter about that today.  I think the different treatments could be down to each case or even advances in the drug's used to treat it. My auntie had breast cancer 5 year's ago and two of the drug's I've been given for it weren't available then.

You will breeze through the radio treatment I still have square sun tan on my chest, I was cut right across my chest and lost the nipple so my square sun tan masks this. Kind regards