Seroma

Hi Angua1 I had a seroma after my surgery which was drained and then promptly came back within hours and it actually seemed worse.  The radiologist advised we leave it alone as they have a habit of coming back and each time it's drained there is a risk of infection.  He said the body eventually reabsorbs them (mine took over 6 months to go).

I don't think there is much you can do other than keep having it drained if it's bothering you too much.  Mine was uncomfortable but tolerable.  If you can bear it, it might be worth leaving it alone -  but discuss this with your medical team.

I don't like the sound of it being red though as that might indicate an infection so I would let your medical team know and see what they advise.  Other signs of an infection are if the area feels warm, if you start to feel unwell or develop a fever - so keep an eye out for these.

Sorry to hear of this jip with fluid build up . I think in my hazy , shock filled early days we were on the same pathway or similar ? I had an infection and a drain . 3 weeks of AB . Under my arm is still a bit swollen but I have been put on amitriptyline for my nerves and to help sleep ( not always working as you can see by the time !) this has helped tremendously .

I’m not trying to give answers here but thought it may help to hear my journey dealing with the swollen feeling . I also, through my oncologist , finally got physio and this is helping with the swollen feeling . I have cording from the infection which will take a while to go , who knows the time frame , we are all so different but I feel better in myself just having someone manipulate this area in such a positive way 

Saying that when I thought I had an infection and my BC nurse was buggering  about I went straight into my GP and got AB . Don’t hang around . Not for a second . If it feels warm chances are a bit of infection has come back . Better to be safe than sorry .

Oh we go through it ! 
Lotd of love 

Penelope xx

I have an appointment today so will see what they say. The skin is very red and there is warmth to it so I guess it’s AB’s again. 
It needs to settle down before the surgical team will refer me to oncology. 

Hi Penelope I think we are on a similar timeline. I’m seeing the surgical team today so we’ll see where this goes. It’s taken longer to build up this time but has gone red and warm. I feel ok, not feverish, just uncomfortable. 
look after yourself 

I have a seroma which the nurse noted last week.  It has become more painful under my arm when I do my exercises so I have left a message for the nurse to phone me today to discuss.  I am seeing oncologist tomorrow to discuss further treatment so not sure why your team wont refer you. I think my surgeon referred me before she had even checked the wound post op  xx

Angua1Just on this point and it is just my personal experience . I found my oncologist more sympathetic to my pain / uncomfortable situation than my surgical team . That team seemed more interested in wound recovery . This must be frustrating for you . 
Look after yourself . Also look out for bladder infection . I got a nasty one and was given 3 days of the AB beginning with T . ( sorry brains gone ) it worked a treat.

Love

Penelope xx 

If you are taking antibiotics Angua1 I think it's a good idea to also take a good probiotic.  In short my understanding is (I'm not medical qualified) antibiotics kill everything good and bad and the probiotic puts the good bacteria back not allowing any resistant bad bacteria not killed off by the antibiotic free licence to fill the gap left behind.  Hope this makes sense but speak to your GP.

When I said my seroma took over 6 months to go I forgot to add that I could only feel it in the first month, after that it had shrunk enough that I no longer felt it.  It was during my 6 month check that the radiologist saw that it was still there.  At 9 months it was no longer there.

If your seroma is already getting infected if I were you I would try and avoid getting it drained again.  Leaving stagnant fluid there can also lead to infection (didn't happen with me) but my radiologist felt it was far less likely to than if I kept getting it drained.  Again something to discuss with your medical team.

Hope it all resolves for you soon.

PenelopeJ57 Each time I saw and felt cording beginning to develop I increased the amount of times I did the exercises.  I more or less did the sideways arm lift or the arm above your head lift constantly through the day and the cording would go.  

I found the exercises were easier to do after being in the shower for a bit till the muscles or tendons warmed up or I would put a hot water bottle under my arm to warm everything up.  This lessened the pain and improved the range of motion.

We're all different so don't know if this will help you but it worked a treat for me.

Just back from seeing my surgeon and BCN. He’s drained it again and is satisfied that there’s nothing infected in the wound but has sent swabs jus in case. I’m now on two types of AB’s and been told I can’t have my covid or flu jabs :( yet. 

Well at least you have seen the experts today and I’m glad there is some sort of closure . 
Nothing seems straightforward but we will get through it .

Together we are stronger 

Penelope xxx