Lymphoedema in breast

Yes I developed swelling after rads. Down arm, armpit very puffy, back of arm  bottom of breast. It is sore, boob felt very heavy. I was monitored by physio, given a compression sleeve which was not nice to wear and kind of left to it.

I just monitor it myself. I went back to wearing an underwired bra 7 months after rads but now find when i get home from work, bra has to come off and i wear a supported vest. Not wanting to be negative but was told it will get better but never go away. I have my 2nd year mammogram next week at new hospital as i moved so am going to be quizzing them lots. I found painkillers and some gentle rubbing rather than massage has helped x

Thank you for your reply. I cannot wear underwire bras anymore, I bought non wired cotton bras but still find that I have to take it off at the end of the day.

My radiotherapy finished end of March and the redness of my breast has only just begun to fade. I really hope it does improve in time.

Good luck with the mammogram and hope you get some answers from the doctors

I finished rads 18th April, it’s been a bit mixed.  All good initially just redness, then rash, then good, now swelling and a bit of heat.  Checked by oncologist this week with an appointment to go back in a month.  Recommended anti inflammatory tablet when it flares.  Oh the joys!  Good boob 34F, bad boob even bigger!  Doctor recommended camomile tea compress.  It could be a long hot summer.

Hi Valleyside , I have mild lympheodema in my treated breast and the thing that has helped the most is Nordic walking. I am quite boring about it but it honestly improved it so much and continues to keep it under control. The lympheodema nurse recommended it as well as more supportive bras and she showed me massage but I didn’t find it easy. I’m still Nordic walking after my initial course 4 years ago. She also recommended aqua aerobics but I don’t really like water! I do go swimming sometimes but not regularly. Don’t like getting splashed so didn’t fancy the aqua aerobics. Hope you can get some resolution. My breast surgeon was very dismissive of it as I think he thought I was’blaming’ my surgery, even though I said I understood that it’s a possible side effect of radiotherapy. Anyway thankfully didn’t need his input as had been referred to the lympheodema service by oncologist. 
Love and hugs, HFxx 

I think perhaps that’s it, I need to get more active! Not sure Nordic walking is for me.  Aqua aerobics perhaps?    I’ve been doing some yoga which helps but need to do more.  My yoga teacher is also a physio and has given me some stretches, massage and movements to do to help.  She used to work as a hospital physio so is used to dealing with cancer patients.   Oh the bliss when the big sports bra comes off of a night and I can lie with the booble exposed under cold air con!  

Hi, yes, I have medium to serious lymphoedema in the breast, it's lumpy, swollen and ranges from some discomfort to downright annoying. I was referred to the long effects specialist team who helped with showing me how to do the massage, but I do have to admit I am not very good at making this part of my routine.  I think I have to be careful around infections as basically the lymphatic system isn't moving things around my body, but I’m learning to live with it. Best wishes 

Look up your community lymphoedema team online. They see women later after surgery. Call them up and explain. You need a treatment plan, advice and measuring for specialist supports. I got 2x bouts cellulitis, and hospital were not knowledgeable, lympho team see it all the time and we're fab.

Mine developed only in my breast. I was not told about lympho pre or post surgery, so had no clue.

The lympho nurses taught various massage techniques, as some suit better than others and also I had regular appointments for about 12x months. Weekly at the beginning, and mines mild (well it's possibly got worse this last 10x days, but that's how it goes being honest, I'm being seen within 2x weeks). Mine is only in the breast. Hospital knew nothing much about lympho as it's a late effect. But maybe some do depending on area. 

I wore a Comfiwave Breastband by Haddenham. My lymph nurse got it free for me as a 'sample'.

I still self massage. Lymphoedema is a lifetime risk from our treatment. 

NHS  in Bath, UK.