Breast oedema

FormerMember over 4 years ago

2 replies
471 subscribers
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Hi all

I am 18 months post lumpectomy for Stage 2b, grade 3 IDC with 3 positive lymph nodes. Also had 6 months chemo followed by 2 weeks radiotherapy to breast, axilla, supraclavicular area plus tumour bed boost. This completed a year ago. I still have a swollen breast & at times it is tender to the touch over the original tumour site. I carry out daily arm exercises & simple lymphatic drainage to the area.

Has anyone else experienced this ongoing side affect? Although there has been some improvement over the last year, my breast still feels bigger & heavier than the other. I thought it would have eased more by now.

Thank you

FormerMember over 4 years ago

Hi Floss621 welcome to the forum. That sounds remarkably similar to mine which turned out to be Lymphoedema in the Breast except mine started almost immediately after the surgery and lymph node removal and I had cellulitis in the breast as well so looked like orange peel to the eye. Due to the cellulitis I was placed on antibiotics and I'm wondering if that's maybe what you are needing, but the GP would need to prescribe these for you.

Does your breast team have access to a Lymphoedema clinic or Specialist Nurse at the hospital where you had the op?. If not your GP can refer you back to the breast team who will have seen this before and know right away what it is and how to treat this to return the breast to as near normal as can be. This is fixable and not something you need to keep putting up with so go see that GP and have a chat. xxx

FormerMember over 4 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Thank you for your advice

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