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 well it will just be like that forever but she never even looked at it. I am in Canada but I heard not all oncologists are like this. I just finished chemo this weel and I had finished radiation in September. The enlarged breast is effecting healing from the radiation burns and I am still going to wound care because of this. I have to buy a special bra even though I only had a lumpectomy because of how much bigger the right breat is now. Isn't there anything I can do to get rid of all this extra fluid or is this just a normal part I must accept that I was not aware of? 🤔
Comments
-
Although I am loathe to give anything even resembling medical advice, may I suggest you make an appointment with a physical therapist who has been trained to treat lymphedema? There are definitely things that can be done to mitigate the swelling. Take care
1 -
I second exbrnxgrl's advice. A LE therapist will teach you how to do the lymph clearing protocol and recommend a compression garment. There are videos of this online but having a professional analyze your situation is best. I still have breast LE but it is much improved 3+ years later. My lumpectomy breast which was a cup size smaller after surgery is now about a half cup size larger but things look more normal. The swelling might go down some on its own as you heal from radiation. All the best.
0 -
Thank you. I wasn't sure who to contact about this as my chemo oncologist just said it will always be like this. I have thought of calling my surgeon who took out my lumph nodes.
0 -
I contacted my RO's office since my LE followed radiation; an NP examined me and made the referral. The surgery is also a possible cause so someone in that office could probably refer you as well. I hope you can find someone to help.
1 -
I had the same issue after my lumpectomy and it worsened with radiation. I was told it was because I was overweight and had large, saggy breasts. After 4 months, my BS finally gave me a referral to a lymphedema specialist. Eventually it got better. The swelling lessened as did the redness and orange peel skin however, it took almost 2 years and I lost 50 pounds in the meantime which helped a little with the swelling. Even now, 4 years after surgery my cancer breast is a 1/2 to full cup larger than the non cancer breast.
I strongly recommend seeing a LE specialist.
1 -
I tried but my Radiation Oncologist refused to contact me back and only replied to my wound care nurse, saying, "Continue doing care as previously stated." over the computer without seeing me again.
0 -
I wish to see a lymphedema specialist… I do finally see my surgeon for my 6th month follow up in March.
As far as I can tell, since I lost 60 lbs in the last few months of chemo, I went from a D cup to a B, but the side that has gotten so swollen, I think, is a DD. It is currently hard to find a bra that fits BOTH breasts. 😒0
