Lymphedema after all this time?

CarolnLA

I was dx with bc in 2004, stage 2b with 2 nodes positive, had a mastectomy on left side, 6 mos chemo, 6 wks rads and 2 years later tram flap reconstruction. A few months ago I started having some strange (to me) symptoms and after connecting the dots and reading here I am wondering if I could be experiencing a mild form of lymphedma  but of course worried it could be something more, like a recurrence.  First experience was a soreness in the upper arm on the bc side after driving for long periods of time. Next thing was I put on a rather tight fitting top and thought that the bc arm felt tighter then the other but still did not think much of it (had gained some weight so attributed to that).   I developed an abscess tooth a few months afterwards that took a while to treat and around the same time I noticed when showering that on my bc side, the arm and/or breast, wasn't sure which, was a bit larger.   My upper arm felt heavy  at times and sometimes a pins and needle feeling which sometimes carries to behind the shoulder or under the arm and down. The other weird thing I experience from time to time is a tighting where the scar on my stomach is from the tram flap and at times upward to the breast.  I then started to realize that all these symptoms could be related and started to read more which brought me to this site.

  I work as a secretary and I noticed the symptoms more at work. Had a check up last week,all my blood work done which was OK, told my internist about what I was feeling and she referred me to a physical therapist, which I have an app't in a week.  I do not see swelling in arm nor hand but some soreness in fingers from time to time.  I have to say that I got complacent about my bc arm thinking I didn't have to worry about lymphedema after all this time.  Now I am wondering if after 8 years this is what it is, since I never had these feelings before, is this what Lymphedema is like? 

kira66715

Carol, often symptoms do precede swelling, or swelling can be minor.

Is your PT specially trained in lymphedema? A well trained lymphedema therapist is essential to making a diagnosis and getting good care. Please check out the PT's training:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

It's good that you're aware of your body, and that you're getting it checked out. Please let us know what the therapist says.

Until then, stay hydrated, lots of deep breathes, you can elevate the arm on pillows and squeeze your fists over your head.

There is truncal/breast lymphedema, not just arm swelling, because the entire "quadrant" is at risk and it can be subtle and some PT's are less informed about it.

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/breast_chest_trunckal_lymphedema.htm

Hope you're not joining the "sorority of swell", but if it is early stage lymphedema, it's much more likely to respond very well to treatment.

Kira