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 put a wet washcloth on it. Sounds weird, but it’s the only way to describe it! Does anyone else experience this? I’m seeing a certified lymphadema PT now twice a week. She’s using cold laser therapy to break up scar tissue and fat necrosis. I haven’t read much about it on this site. I’ll keep you all posted on my experience with it
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mama1416 - it's the perfect way to explain it, except mine stretches into my underarm due to lymph node removal. BS and PS want me to start PT again, but,I honestly don't want to unless a different approach is used. Had a US yesterday for a very hard and painful area in the upper quadrant of my right "breast" which turned out to be fat necrosis from BMX, and radiation and most recently, DIEP. I'm curious about cold laser therapy. Will have to ask about it as I refuse to waste another two years of going in two times per week for no relief. Please keep us posted.
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mama1416, Cold laser therapy is a type of photobiomodulation. My husband ended up using infrared / far infrared light therapy on his arm for severe lymphedema after elbow surgery four years ago. Nothing had worked so we suggested what would be used on a swollen horse leg, ESWT (sound waves) or far infrared light. The doctor nixed the ESWT since it would heat the metal in his arm but gave permission to try photobiomodulation. The surgeon's fellow had seen infrared light therapy used for brain injuries during a neuro rotation so he figured it would be safe. It worked quickly and effectively; my husband was able to begin to move the joints in his arm to complete the 18 months of physical therapy it took to get his range of motion back. The cold laser is stronger but needs to be administered by a trained professional.
I have breast LE caused by radiation and exacerbated by a thermal burn. My breast surgeon had planned to reduce my non-cancer breast since there was a cup size difference after surgery but diagnosed me with LE when she saw the lumpectomy side was a bit bigger than the untouched breast. My burn surgeon used a regular laser on my hand and face for nerve pain but told me lasers could not be used on the damage caused by the combination of radiation and burn. I only do light lymphatic drainage massage because the breast is painful to touch. It feels full and slightly heavy so your analogy of the wet washcloth is a good one.
I hope you have good results from the cold laser therapy. Photobiomodulation is considered to be a new treatment for people but has been successfully used by veterinarians for a while.
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serendipity09, Some chiropractors use cold laser therapy to reduce inflammation and pain. If you can't find an LE therapist who does it consulting a chiropractor who owns a cold laser might be an option.
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Thank you Maggie15!
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