Lymphadema

Grandma-Diann

I have been dealing with lymphadema of the arm

 for over 6 mths.  Now all of a sudden my breast is swelling and extremely painful.  They have removed fluid 3 times.  Does anyone have any suggestions of how to bring down the swelling and lessen the pain?

Binney4

Diann, welcome to bc.org! Glad you found us, really sorry for the reason you had to!

Do you mean the doctor is removing fluid with a syringe, or that your lymphedema therapist is moving it out of the breast with Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) Massage?

You don't say what you've been doing to deal with your arm lymphedma, but if you don't have a lymphedema therapist (or the one you have hasn't done a Therapy Intensive with wrapping and MLD), here's how to find a well-trained one near you:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

The fluid build-up that happens with lymphedema isn't the sort that pools, like a seroma, so it can't be removed with a syringe. If what you're talking about, though, is lymphedema in your breast, then here's information about that (and at the bottom of that page are links to lots of different compression ideas for breast swelling):
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/breast_chest_trunckal_lymphedema.htm

Since you mention that the swelling was sudden and extremely painful, please do watch for any possible infection and get help AT ONCE if you suspect that. Here's a page about infection with lymphedma:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Emergencies_and_Medical_Care_lymphedema.htm

Diann, I sure hope some of that is helpful. Please let us know how we can help.

Gentle hugs,
Binney

Kicks

Are you working with a LE Therapist? Doing what for your LE?



When you say tha t they have removed fluid 3 times, are you saying that a needle was inserted and fluid was drawn out? If so - that's not LE. My thoughts would be either a seroma or infection if they are actually removing fluid from your body.