Confused: some more questions

Options
Luvmydobies
Luvmydobies Member Posts: 766
edited July 2014 in Lymphedema
Confused: some more questions
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Luvmydobies
    Luvmydobies Member Posts: 766
    edited July 2014

    Ok, ladies, now I'm confused. Today I went to a place to get fitted properly for another compression bra for truncal LE. The lady that fitted me said it didn't look like I had LE to her. She is the third person that's told me that! Even at my first consult with the LE Therapist she was asking if I was sure it wasn't just my pec muscle/fatty tissue. She then asked if my surgeon left any tissue. She then said if it IS LE, It's very slight. So I feel a bit at a loss here. I do know the area in question isn't any more puffy than it was but not smaller either, and I've been doing my MLD and wearing garments. It feels the same on both sides, it's only a little bigger on the right but my husband said it's ALWAYS been this size though. My Onc also has never thought anything of it. I do have an appointment next Tuesday with my surgeon for another opinion, since she's examined it before. Anyway, I'm not asking for a diagnosis here, but is it safe to do MLD, etc., even IF I don't have LE?? I don't want to do anything to do harm. I also see the LE Therapist this Thursday for massage therapy, so I'll ask her again if she's sure it's LE. She just didn't seem real sure after our consult. Thanks in advance. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited July 2014


    I don't think everyone can recognize LE,, especially truncal. I have it too, so I feel your pain.  And for me,, since my BS left excess skin ( for the recon I didn't want!)  I think that makes it even harder to see for some. But I can feel the swelling. I know when I'm getting poofy.  For me, it feels like a glob of wet gauze stuck to my chest that I can't get rid of. And if I press my arm against my side (think chicken dance arm flap!)  and my arm won't go completely flat against my side, I know I'm swollen.

    It's frustrating when you don't get good advice from the professionals.  I am sure I have learned more on this forum!!

    I got Swell Spots and EaB medical breast binder (lined), both read about on here.  I find that has helped me a lot so far. I would still like to find a bra, but so far I haven't had any luck. Either they ride too high in the armpit for me,,, or they put too much compression on my good side shoulder (where I have other issues).

    so when i want to dress up, I put on a mastectomy bra,, and use the smaller swell spots. They keep me ok until I can get home and put on the bigger swell spot and the breast binder. So it's not a perfect system! I see my LE therapist again on Friday and I'm going to talk with her more then.

    I don't see any reason why it wouldn't be safe to do MLD though. I hope you can get some answers when you see your therapist.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Luvmydobies
    Luvmydobies Member Posts: 766
    edited July 2014

    Thanks for the reply. My therapist even told me to use Spanx tops to start with and only to wear them at night or a few hours during the day and when I fly or exercise, heavy housework, etc. So that also makes me wonder if she's not really sure I even have LE, like I said, but who knows for sure. I thought with LE you need to wear compression a lot of the time. She just didn't sound like it was definite. I don't really feel swollen or anything, but if I do have it I obviously want to take the best care I can. It was my choice to get fitted for compression garments. Anyway, thanks again!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories