LE and sleeping on tummy / resuming flexitouch

ayr1016

I use my flexi pump almost daily. I also sleep on my back always. Last week, I woke up on my stomach. No big deal I thought. At about 6pm, I noticed my breast felt hot. After a quick peek, it was flaming red, feverish, and uncomfortable. I immediately called oncologist and she prescribed antibiotics which are working slowly but surely. Could sleeping on my tummy for a few hours have caused this? I have had a few LE infections before, but nothing like this. Normally my infections involve a bit of my side torso and a bit of the side of breast. This was only the breast. Also, when would you resume using Flexitouch? I'm scared to do anything.

kira66715

The general “rule “ is light compression and hold off on MLD, but that makes more sense for extremities. I was at a LE conference recently and the true central clearing ability of the flexi touc is debatable.

Every infection damages the lymph system— vicious cycle.

Do you have compression garments and pads for the breast and trunk? Do you know how to clear your core with self MLD? Do you have a good lymphedema therapist?

I don't think sleeping on your stomach started the infection, it sounds like there's a lot of stagnant fluid and it's so easy to get infected.

I'd recommend a review by your lymphedema therapist and there are few doctors who specialize in lymphedema, but if you're near one, that would help you plan for the future.

Great that your oncologist is so responsive— don't stop the antibiotics until you're all clear. Some people need continued antibiotics to control frequent infections.

Flexitouch is just one piece of your treatment— it's just not that great at moving fluid out of the breast and trunk.

Sounds to me like you need a bit more support.

Long response to say, compression is fine, you want to get that infected fluid out of there but you should check in with your doctor.

Good luck! It gets better. So scary and frustrating

Wised

I wish there was more research done for LE that starts in the breast/truncal region! I am relying on my flexitouch to keep it in line as I have not found a good therapist and switching is really expensive. (Each place you go has to do a new assessment) My old therapist did not clear fluid from my trunk/breast, just my arm. AYR 1016 I hope your infection has cleared up.

Trishyla

Hey Wised. Have you tried dry brushing? I have moderate truncal lymphedema and the dry brushing works really well for me. It seems to be more effective than self MLD. Use the same pathways you would for MLD, just with a special brush instead of your fingertips. You can find the brushes on Amazon.

Good luck.

Trish