Flank lymphedema

cattledoglv

I had three left side axillary lymph nodes removed December 27. They were enlarged when removed. Starting in about October I noticed left side flank pain. A weird fullness and pain under my rib cage and it felt bad to lean on that side or even sometimes sleep on that side. My pcp had me do an abdominal US which found nothing. I had mentioned this to him several times and he didn’t really believe me. I saw my breast surgeon last week and I mentioned this to her in passing thinking maybe she had some advice. She immediately said it was lymphedema deep in my upper abdomen from my lymph system being messed up on that side. I also have the LE in my armpit and breast. I am so glad to have an answer, but I only had three removed and yet I seem to be having major side effects. Anyone else have flank issues?

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gb2115

Yes, I get a little fluid that collects on my flank, sort of under the armpit and sort of near the breast. It started after a deep skin biopsy near the area. I also had 3 lymph nodes removed. To control this, I either skip wearing a bra so the area drains, or I put a gauze pad in my bra for light compression on the area. It has been ok since I started doing all of this. I think I'm lucky that it's been controlled easily.

cattledoglv

I get that too but I don’t even wear a bra anymore. Since my reconstruction and implant removal, I’m barely a C cup. My right boob is usually my bigger boob, but now more often than not it’s my left that is bigger. I have noticeable swelling in my armpit area. The flank pain is weird. It’s under my rib cage and I feel like I have something pushing on my ribs below my breast. The area on my rib cage under my left breast is also swollen. I’m supposed to go see an occupational therapist. Hopefully this will help.

gb2115

Definitely! My OT is great. It's good that you are getting it looked at, there are all sorts of things they can do to make that better.

LymphActivist

Breast, chest, and torso lymphedema is an unfortunate, and all too common, result of nodal biopsy (even one!) or dissection and radiation. See the presentation on Breast and Truncal Lymphedema (the one for therapists) on my web site at www.lymphactivist.org. Then get a referral to a physical or occupational therapist who is certified in complex decongestive therapy (CDT) for an evaluation, possible therapy, and possible compression garments.

blah333

I do but I think mine is coupled with costochondritis. I also had surgery in 2017. Most of my swelling occurs between my armpit and shoulderblade. I was shown by a PT that there are nodes in our back as well. I think the damage to the area is making it difficult for my axilla and nodes on that side of my back to handle things. I am trying to learn lymphatic massage but haven't had enough appointments yet and need to write the instructions down more.

Rah2464

I get just a mild bit still of lymphedema on my sentinel node biopsy side. I had decent swelling in the same area for about two weeks after my BMx. The surgeon had me wear a couple of pads stuffed into my surgical bra to put light compression on the area. But I still get some lingering swelling. My medical massage therapist does a lymphatic massage in the entire area and it really helps.