Shoulder pain post mastectomy

• Yes, but on a much bigger scale. It is like a boob tube. Called a comfi-wave breast band. So massages and supports the chest wall, side and back also. I got lymphodoema in all those places, so that’s why I was given one. Part of the Haddenham healthcare range if you Google. X

That lymphedema is a pain and so common.  I had lumpectomy and radiation and finished radiation about 2months ago.  Yippee!!  The radiation oncologist told me that after 3 weeks post radiation I was to massage my breasts everyday for 6 months to prevent fibrosis as scars like to pull in from radiation.  I am being diligent doing it and also using some silicone scar cream on the scar.  Working good.  That comfier wave sounds great and good for fibrosis too and the best thing is that it makes you feel better.  I think once you get that lymphedema under control you will be good.
I don’t know if you have fibrosis but I saw that taking selenium 200 mcg could be helpful and I don’t take the supplement I just eat 2 Brazil nuts everyday.  I enjoy that as much rather eat it than take a supplement.  Saw it in YouTube under Florida proton.  Was excellent and showed how to do breast massage too.  I laugh so much when I go to bed at night as I have my sleep mask on, dental retainers in, cream all over my boobies, and thumb splints on.  Gotta laugh for sure.  Now that I look back another funny was when the radiologist was going to do the MRI biopsy and he came in after measurements were done and told me  he couldn’t do it as breasts too small.  He said I was the first one he couldn’t do in his 15 years of doing them.  Boy did I feel small.  Didn’t laugh at the time but now it is funny to me.  Well enjoy the day.  Very hot and humid here in Florida.  
Barbara

Hi.  I’ve been referred to the lymphoedema clinic but also for another ct scan due to the rib pain I think it’s fluid. I have red patches on my back slightly raised but 2 consultants scratched their heads over it. I’m sure I can feel fluid. It’s across my chest and goes to bottom of my shoulder blade and then down my back. The pain is like a stingy tender skin pain. The armpit is stingy too I’m really annoyed as it was all settling down well. They did say they usually see lymphoedema after about a year from the op. Spot on for me if it is. 
could you tell me what exercises they got you doing to keep it out of the arm? Thanks for your help it made me go and get referred. 
hooe your doing ok. 
gwills x

Hi Gwills, really glad that you have been referred and are having a scan for reassurance. The exercises that I do can be found on the Breast Cancer website:
https://www.breastcancerhaven.org.uk/project/lymphoedema-exercise-classes-and-reducing-your-risk-2/

The charity is currently suspended, but their videos are still available, and the lymphodoema exercise one is still there (I checked this morning). It’s a very short class that you can watch and do yourself with them. I also do some resistance exercises using bands. The clinic told me that this is particularly effective as contracting the muscles across my chest wall will help push the fluid out. 

Im glad you wrote, because my lymphodoema had been pretty much under control by wearing the comfy-band. However, the last few days, and yesterday in particular, I noticed a return of the ache and stingy feeling under the armpit, and also considerable swelling. Due to the hot weather I haven’t been as active as usual (moving around and using my arms does improve it / keep it under control for me), and I wondered also if the hot weather wasn’t helping with the swelling.  So last night I did the exercises twice, and then went out for a brisk walk swinging my arms. By the time I returned, the swelling had gone down by a fair bit and the stinging feeling had gone. I did the exercises again before bed, and will do them again in a mo. I used to do them about four times a day, and have realised that my condition definitely needs to be managed for the long term. I had been told that by the clinic, but I took the comfy band for granted I guess. 
Hope that helps, and that you locate the video on the website. X

Well I’ve had all the tests and it turns out I’ve got arthritis! I’m a bit fed up - it’s in my shoulders, knees, feet, hands and possibly back and hips. The shoulders the worst though. So not lymphadema - or at least not significant lymphadema. Doctors say the arthritis could have been coming for years and the cancer treatment has just exacerbated it. 

Thank you so much. I think I need to do the exercises whilst I wait for my appointment. I did actually dread lymphoedema and the constant management however nothing I can do about it. I think the hoT weather doesn’t help as mine feels bigger. I sure I can feel fluid moving when I lie on my bad side. It’s really weird. I am fortunately able to swim whenever I want and I try to do it every other day  as  I think it feels better afterwards. I will watch the video and start. How many lymph did you have removed? I had 23 

I had 19 removed. I’ve kept up with the exercises today, and the walking (I did that very early in the morning though) and it’s not been as bad. 

Also, I did think about swimming, but our pool is closed for refurbishment, it re opens in September. I couldn’t afford to go more than twice a week, but do you find that the breast stroke is effective please ? It’s the only one I can do.

Yes breaststroke is great for it as it works shoulders/shoulder blade and chest. I feel it working the whole area and the resistance from the water massages your arm too. I am swimming 10 miles for breast cancer now this month xx keep up the walking and the exercises 

Good for you!! That’s a brilliant thing to do. Well done!! X