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Lymphedema

Talk with others about how to lower your risk of lymphedema and how to manage it if you've been diagnosed with this side effect of treatment.

 

Discussion List

• New to Lymphedema? Start here.

  The main Breastcancer.org site offers helpful information in the extensive Lymphedema section, including: Lymphedema Signs and Symptoms Reducing Risk of Lymphedema and Lymphedema Flare-Ups Lymphedema …

  Announcement

  Lymphedema

  6527 views

  0 point

  Started by moderators

  May 5, 2012

  Lymphedema
• Lymph-bypass in forearm after unsuccessful axilla surgery

  Hello, I was supposed to have LYMPHA (bypass) during my double mastectomy/ALND in 2023. The surgeon at that time could not find any good vessels to make the connection in the axilla. So, I wear a slee…

  Lymphedema

  58 views

  3 comments

  0 point

  Started by kmkerr58

  Most recent by maggie15

  Mar 29, 2025

  Lymphedema
• Lymphedema - breast twice the size of other one

  My arm did not swell up but my breast did by a lot after my lymph nodes were removed. It has been over 4 months now and my effected breast is twice the size of my other breast. My oncologist said oh w…

  Lymphedema

  160 views

  7 comments

  0 point

  Started by cdnangel

  Most recent by cdnangel

  Mar 1, 2025

  Lymphedema
• Breast lymphadema (what does it feel like)?

  I am newly diagnosed with breast and arm lymphadema. My symptoms are a tightness across my breast/chest and upper arm. Swelling and aches in both my arm and chest. My breast almost feels like when you…

  689 views

  15 comments

  1 points

  Started by mama1416

  Most recent by cdnangel

  Jan 15, 2025

  Lymphedema
• Axillary Lymph Node Dissection Dissection

  hello, I just completed chemo and am scheduled to have ALND. I am concerned with lymphedema. (Cancer was found in two of my lymph nodes , luckily were very small which was warranted chemo) I recently …

  266 views

  39 comments

  0 point

  Started by Warrior2019

  Most recent by maggie15

  Jan 12, 2025

  Lymphedema
• Hip joint pain is it lymphedema? anyone else experience hip pain?

  Hi all, about two months ago I started with groin pain, did everything to rehab, stretching, gentle strength training, rest.. you name it, pain is still there. Not in the mornings when I wake but gets…

  63 views

  0 point

  Started by lynn1946

  Dec 15, 2024

  Lymphedema
• ALL THINGS Gloves and sleeves

  Can't stand the idea of continually hi-jacking threads so here I go ... Pls. list your best bets with gloves/ sleeves/ ins challenges , things that go awry - you name it. How do you wash yours ? Which…

  39783 views

  1926 comments

  0 point

  Started by purple32

  Most recent by kathncduke2023

  Sep 19, 2024

  Lymphedema
• Lymphedema Support Group--Los Angeles

  Hello! I am starting a LE Support Group in Rancho Cascades (Sylmar) starting Oct 2024. It will be a combo of an easy exercise class, with potluck and discussion session. Please see the attached flyer …

  Lymphedema

  23 views

  -1 points

  Started by massagebyjulia

  Sep 15, 2024

  Lymphedema
• radiation-induced brachial plexopathy

  Looks like I'm special as I'm one of the <2% of patients who get this complication. Really tired of being special... I don't want to scare anyone off of radiation....it's an important part of breast c…

  2565 views

  765 comments

  1 points

  Started by Erica35

  Most recent by hippmark

  Sep 4, 2024

  Lymphedema
• Off on a road trip with altitude

  Hi friends. I have mildish most of my body lymphedema with a little swelling but not too much. I'm leaving on a road trip and DH is very concerned (more than me) about high altitudes for short periods…

  90 views

  7 comments

  0 point

  Started by lynn1946

  Most recent by lynn1946

  Aug 28, 2024

  Lymphedema
• Help my arm sleeve is discontinued!!

  Hi all.. my Sigvaris 15-20 arm sleeves which I've been happy with for years has gone and is replaced with new silicone button tops, which is turns out I'm allergic to. I've looked all over for a simil…

  42 views

  5 comments

  0 point

  Started by lynn1946

  Most recent by lynn1946

  Aug 1, 2024

  Lymphedema
• Avoid a recurrence of celluitis

  I'm just getting over a third bout of cellulitis over the past 4 years. I've had LE since 2006 and had not experienced cellulitis until these past few years. I'm not sure why. Maybe because my "mature…

  221 views

  6 comments

  0 point

  Started by rrs

  Most recent by lastar

  Jul 7, 2024

  Lymphedema
• Cellulitis from tight bra?

  Hi, All — I'm 11 years out from diagnosis and Lx/Mx. I have had issues with LE off and on since, but not much in the last 4 years or so. I wore a more substantial bra on Sunday. I usually only wear it…

  Lymphedema

  358 views

  5 comments

  0 point

  Started by lastar

  Most recent by lastar

  Jul 7, 2024

  Lymphedema
• Covid Vaccine - Lymph node swelling

  I have LE in my right arm. I had my first Covid vaccine shot in my left arm January 15. My arm was quite sore and a couple of days later I had a swollen lymph nodes under my arm. One was quite large a…

  92 views

  25 comments

  0 point

  Started by rrs

  Most recent by rrs

  May 30, 2024

  Lymphedema
• Self Care--All things MLD

  Edited since LE diagnosis confirmed... I have seen a LANA-certified PT and gotten my fist full of handouts, plus advised to buy a low-compression sleeve "just in case." I had an hour of hands-on instr…

  901 views

  62 comments

  0 point

  Started by lw422

  Most recent by rrs

  May 30, 2024

  Lymphedema
• Affording multiple compressions sleeves

  Hi all, Curious how many sleeves everyone has at one time. I've been told that you should replace them every 6 months but I can't even imagine doing that with the cost! They say you should have multip…

  82 views

  2 comments

  0 point

  Started by thegen37

  Most recent by sarahmaude

  May 14, 2024

  Lymphedema
• lymphedema - IV and blood pressure cuff in same arm for later surgery?

  I'm about to undergo hip replacement surgery and I know an IV will be placed and BP will be monitored at the same time. I have lymphedema in one arm. How is this accomplished when one arm should have …

  192 views

  3 comments

  0 point

  Started by jolly24

  Most recent by jolly24

  Mar 1, 2024

  Lymphedema
• Advice 15 years out

  I was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma in 2008. I had a bilateral mastectomy and lymph nodes removed (a few did test positive). I underwent chemo, radiation and reconstruction. Unfortunately,…

  569 views

  9 comments

  0 point

  Started by udpt82

  Most recent by lastar

  Jan 14, 2024

  Lymphedema
• Questions about care and wearing of compression sleeve/gauntlet

  What detergent do you use to wash the garments? How do you keep the gauntlet clean while working in the kitchen or cleaning at home as well as being out and about? Do you remove the gauntlet while pre…

  102 views

  0 point

  Started by vanisland

  Jan 10, 2024

  Lymphedema
• Lymphadenectomy - Right Breast Cancer

  Hi, I am presently undergoing chemotherapy for a Triple-negative Right Breast Cancer. Very soon, I will have to decide if I undergo a "Lymphadenectomy"! I have been reading a lot about the side effect…

  234 views

  9 comments

  1 points

  Started by puppyjack

  Most recent by puppyjack

  Nov 13, 2023

  Lymphedema
• Compression Sleeve for Long Flights?

  Background: I do not have lymphedema post lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node removal (May 2023). However I did end up with painful cording a few weeks after surgery which subsided with physio and mass…

  2251 views

  6 comments

  0 point

  Started by dsc

  Most recent by dsc

  Sep 8, 2023

  Lymphedema
• LVA surgery - bypass surgery - Have you done it?

  I recently traveled to the University of Iowa to meet with Dr. Wei Chen a supermirosurgeon/plastic surgeon. I was referred to him by my PS. I had the Indocyanine Green Lymphography done and was amazed…

  14887 views

  699 comments

  0 point

  Started by mjsgumbas

  Most recent by homemom

  Aug 22, 2023

  Lymphedema
• Video: Lymphedema and Exercise

  Lymphedema

  116 views

  0 point

  Started by moderators

  Aug 3, 2023

  Lymphedema
• 

  Lymphedema threat: are we ever out of the woods?

  Dear all, It's been nearly 10 years since my lumpectomy. I had 11 nodes removed total. Since then I've been religious about using my left arm (lumpectomy done on right) for everything-blood draws, BP …

  2751 views

  92 comments

  0 point

  Started by claireinaz

  Most recent by zjrosenthal

  Jun 30, 2023

  Lymphedema
• GRRRRRRRRR I HATE LE..........

  EVERYONE can tell I have it... my arm just looks so fat..... I have been to.... and going back to.... therapy..... with a LE specialist... I wrap... I wear compression garments when flying.. exercisin…

  213305 views

  9949 comments

  0 point

  Started by Estepp

  Most recent by minustwo

  Jun 25, 2023

  Lymphedema
• Mosquito bite

  Hi all! This evening(some two hours ago) I was bitten by a mosquito on the arm with axillary clearance, on the mastectomy side. I`m freaking out about lymphedema now. I washed it with soap and I`m kee…

  Lymphedema

  267 views

  7 comments

  0 point

  Started by nume

  Most recent by kotchaj

  Jun 16, 2023

  Lymphedema
• Big thumb, help please

  Hello, Doctor bandaged me. All my fingers became smaller, but my thumb became bigger! Please help. I'm very scared. Do you have an idea how to solve this? How to bandage this not to happen? Why this h…

  121 views

  4 comments

  0 point

  Started by lanna1

  Most recent by lw422

  Jun 15, 2023

  Lymphedema
• Lymphedema self massage

  Hi ladies! I wanted to share a link to a self lymphodema massage treatment that has helped me and my neighbor who also had breast cancer. Please ok it with your doctors before trying it, because our s…

  278 views

  1 comments

  1 points

  Started by flagmama

  Most recent by iamnobird

  Jun 3, 2023

  Lymphedema
• Resuming Pump After Cellulitis?

  I developed lymphedema in 2016 despite only having 3 nodes removed. I've evaded cellulitis until last week. My swelling & redness have improved significantly at the one week mark, but my armpit is sti…

  132 views

  3 comments

  0 point

  Started by vlh

  Most recent by vlh

  May 20, 2023

  Lymphedema
• Acupuncture treatment for lymphedema

  Hi everyone, I had a dmx and ended up with lymphodema under my breast and to the side area. I went for manual massages, but it didn't help. Recently I had to have ablat flap and the lymphodema area is…

  238 views

  2 comments

  0 point

  Started by dontwantthis

  Most recent by maggie15

  May 19, 2023

  Lymphedema
• LYMPHA (Lymphovenous Bypass) Procedure With Mastectomy?

  Hello all. Today I had a meeting with my surgical oncologist to discuss my upcoming single mastectomy. I was kind of bummed to hear that that many nodes will be removed, and mentioned that I have a fe…

  1053 views

  56 comments

  0 point

  Started by lw422

  Most recent by nickel103

  May 17, 2023

  Lymphedema