Newbee Questions

Options
LindeeLou
LindeeLou Member Posts: 5
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Hello, I have just been diagnosed with breast lymphedema.  I have not had cancer (just had a diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound, MRI, and biopsy), and the breast surgeon is not sure why I have this, but he has seen it come up without an apparent cause with other patients.  I am thinking that it might have to do with moving boxes on my job in a law firm (and sometimes hitting my chest hard when I pick them up), but I don't really know for sure.  Are there other posters here without cancer/radiation but this just happened?  I have been trying to read up on the subject because all I have heard from my care providers so far is that it is a "benign conditon" and it might go away.  I have to see the doctor in 3 months and he will continue to follow me.  I found a massage therapist near where I live who does lympthatic breast massage.  Have others found this helpful?  Thank you for any advice you might have.  I am nervous because I don't really understand what I am dealing with.  Thank you!.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2014

    It sounds like you may want to get a second opinion, and perhaps meet with an internist who can help identify the cause of your lymphedema. It is naturally a very different situation to lymphedema post surgery. 

    Wishing you the best, and hoping for a good recovery!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited March 2014

    Good morning LindeeLou, and welcome! Really sorry you've had to come looking for us, but glad you found us. As the mods suggest, a second opinion is always helpful. Then again, any trauma to the breast can provide a starting point for lymphedema, and a biopsy can sure qualify as trauma.

    A well-trained and experienced lymphedema threrapist should be able to help with both diagnosis and treatment. You'll want to check out the training of the therapist you found near you. Here's information on that:
    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified…

    And here's information about breast lymphedema, if you haven't already seen it:
    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/breast_chest_trunck...

    Sadly, your experience of having difficulty getting good information about lymphedema from your medical team is not unusual. They aren't much trained to deal with it, so finding a good lymphedema therapist can really make the difference. This is a confusing and anxious time, for sure, but hang in there and you'll soon have clear answers and be able to get your life back into control. Please keep us posted and tell us how we can help.

    Gentle hugs,
    Binney

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LindeeLou
    LindeeLou Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2014

    Hi, Binney, thank you so much.  I'm sorry I didn't explain well.  I had swelling, which led to all the testing.  The breast surgeon was confident that it was edema, but he did the biopsy when he felt I was nervous and needed reassurance. 

    I am interested in what you said that "any trauma to the breast can provide a starting point for lymphedema."  I lift and move a lot of boxes in my office, and I have more than once hit the heavy box against my chest and said to myself, "Oww, that was my breast."  Unfortunately, when you have something you do on a job, you are sometimes afraid to say to your boss that you can't do that anymore, so I have never said anything to my boss about lifting, except when my back has gone out because of it.  So It could very well be "my boxes," and it's my best guess.

    Thank you, I will make sure to chck out the therapist.

    I know what you mean -- I don't really want to be here on this site, but it seems to be a loving, caring environment, and I'm glad I found it.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited March 2014

    Any trauma can bring on lymphedema.  It does not have to be from surgery or removed lymph nodes but can come from severe impact or continual minor injuries to basically the same area.  Every surgery does not cause it to raise it's ugly head but even minor ones can.  I have a friend who has fairly severe LE in her leg from a  relatively minor non-invasive surgery.

    It might be a good idea to get an appointment with a Certified LymphEdema Therapist to be evaluated amd gain knowledge.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LindeeLou
    LindeeLou Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2014

    Thanks, Kicks, I am working on that now.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories