Armpit Pain and Swelling Months after RADS

I had my radiation in the prone position (face down).  You have to be a candidate for that which is early stage breast cancer and a breast that can hang down and the tumor should not be near the chest wall. Mine was at the 8 o'clock position.  So In that position only the breast gets irradiated, noit the armpit, nor the ribs, heart or lungs. 

I know this cannot help you now after the fact, but I am posting this so you can let your friends and family know about this position if they do ask you for advice.  My hospital (in NJ) didn't want to do it in the prone position, so I found a facility in NY that would.  I don't know why they are loathe to do this position for women if they are candidates. The doctors do not even mention that position when you go for the consultation - they only spoke about the supine (face up) position.

I am sorry to hear about your problems, and hope that you will find some answers and some relief.

Judy

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Hi again,

I'm pretty sure your lymph nodes do not show on mammogram.

When I had surgery they put a blue dye in my breast  it drains into the lymph nodes and stains them so they can see which are the main ones, Only one node took the dye in me - some people have 4 or 5. They  removed the one with the dye and did a biopsy while I was still having surgery. It clear so they left others. They said if there was any cancer in the nodes it would be in this 'sentinel' node. I'm pretty confident there is no cancer in my lymph nodes but I do still have the same symptoms as you. I think it is odema.

fingers crossed we win lotto soon

I can beat you tex, I got 5 dots!!

Texas and all,

After and breast cancer surgery (even prophylactic mastectomy with no nodes purposely removed) lymphedema can develop in the breast, chest, side, back, shoulder area, or axilla. In fact, it's actually quite common with lumpectomy and radiation, though it can be hard to get it diagnosed because many doctors aren't much aware of it. When it's in any of those places it's called "truncal" lymphedema. Here's an information page about it:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/breast_chest_trunckal_lymphedema.htm

It can even be present with no visible or measurable swelling, especially since post-surgery our breast "geography" is new and uncertain. If what you have is truncal lymphedema, then it's very important that you see a well-trained and experienced lymphedema therapist for treatment and to learn on-going self-care. Untreated, lymphedema will eventually create hardness of the tissues and skin changes (roughness, peau d'orange, weeping), and it greatly increases your risk of serious systemic infection.

The good news is that treatment doesn't involve either surgery or drugs. It involves a very gentle directional massage, exercises, skin care and some compression (see the bottom of that information page for some of the compression options). Early diagnosis and treatment means it'll be easier to reduce any swelling or discomfort and to keep it that way on-going.

Here's a page about finding a well-trained lymphedema therapist near you:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

And here's one with information about lymphedema for your doctors:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/essential%20informat%20for%20healthcare%20providers.htm

Do let us know what you discover tomorrom, Texas. Gentle hugs,
Binney

Thanks Binney,

Great information; think I need to go back to my Dr.

Texas, going to a Lymphedema P/T has certainly helped me.

I came back from the UK with a swollen breast and armpit.  I went for 3 days for 3 weeks and I am feeling so much better. She stretched out my tissue that was tight from rads and worked on my scar tissue. She gave me stretches and massages to do at home.  All of my other Dr's were telling me that it is a SE from rads/surgery but non were offering any solution.

Wished I could top you girls, but alas I only got 4 tattoo's. I'm feeling quite left out. LOL

Bertie, hear you are gettting some pretty nice weather  your way?

Enjoy your Tuesday evening ladies xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Jules

Texas, I would definitely check out a P/T even if you do not have Lymphedema.

The rads totally tightened up my muscles in my ribs and back. 

FYI my onc totally played down my swelling and stiffness. It was my surgeon who said I might have lymphedema. I already had a call into the P/T. My P/T also shared that we could have muscle pain/stiffness up to and beyond 2 years.

I have a stretch band to do exercises. Plus I reach up on the door frame and turn my body away.  These are just some basic stretches but help the area from getting tight.

The sun is out here in WA but we had a high of 55 deg. Brrr.

Keep me posted on what your onc says. I'm curious.

Good luck.

Jules

Texas, have only had one closed MRI.  Apparently some places will offer you a relaxant.  I never got offered and didn't know to ask. Just kept thinking I was on the beach in Mexico.

I get frustrated when we are told that our SE's are not from radiaition.  BULL!!!!!!

Stay strong xx

Jules

Texas, I too had radiation in Oct.2009, and only 2 mos ago got an infected seroma, edema, and swelling.  It had to come the rads as before the rads the skin on my L breast looked just like my non-radiated breast.  I never was warned of this side effect either.  You have to keep a close eye on it, if it becomes sore, swollen, red and/or tender you are to be placed immediately on antibiotics.  I put in an emergency call to my BS, who saw me the next day.   Karen  ps My PCP gave me a valium to take as I am claustrophobic too.

Texas, I'll help you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Texas, keep us posted.

Jules