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@pemala im so sorry to read of your continued suffering. I hope you can find some relief as well. My swelling was not severe, and the Velcro wrap, called a Circaide Recovery banadage worked well for the two months I needed it. I now wear a compression sleeve , and since my insurance covered it, I also use a pneumatic pump which is a massager and that keeps the swelling in check. But I did not experience pain. In your pockets with support ❤️. Wishing you free of future suffering.

@maggie15 i love how ingenious you are. Love how you figured out that the red light therapy was an option to try , and so glad that worked for your DH. I’m so sorry to read of all the radiation complications you have endured. I cannot imagine the stamina it has taken to move forward. And yet, here you are. Loving and caring and sharing. ❤️

My husband had an arm like yours when severe LE developed post surgery for a complicated elbow break. His super swollen arm just hung there like a useless appendage; he had no feeling in it. He couldn't even attempt the prescribed physical therapy. The surgeon and PT had no ideal what to do so I came up with possible veterinary solutions since I have some background there and propsed pulsed magnetic therapy, ultrasound and photobiomodulation (red light therapy.) Ultrasound is used on humans in ortho but the doctor nixed it since it would heat the metal hardware. A fellow in the group had seen red light therapy used in neurological units when he did his residency so we tried that. It actually worked well and he was able to start the 18 month process of getting the use of his arm back. The plug in wraps are expensive but you might be able to borrow one or find someone who provides treatment with them. The animal ones work just like those for humans. The other therapies might work for you since you don't have metal in your arm. The cause of your LE is different but that shot in the dark worked for him.

Your statment about SEs being worse than the cancer itself is so true. My cancer was only stage 2 and radiation injured my lungs, thyroid, esophagus, trachea, nerves and now possibly liver (biopsy pending.) The brachial plexopathy is slowly advancing in my right arm. I'm hoping I never get to the stage where it doesn't work at all. Maybe a nerve block would help your pain. I had one done for intercostal nerves since breathing was excruciating; it still helped when it wore off six weeks later. I hope you can get some relief.

A quick update: Curiously, the arm pain from swelling and the swelling itself is creating the worst impact on my quality of life: My arm doesn't work = bandaging and putting on clothes is really difficult, as are a lot of things now; the opioids don't seem to numb the pain; people who see the swollen arm get really disturbed.

Who would have thought a side effect of cancer could be worse than the cancer itself? ;)

A smooth journey to all.