LE in axillary and told I have to wear a bra...Please help.

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crystalphm
crystalphm Member Posts: 1,138
edited October 2014 in Lymphedema

I was recently diagnosed with mild LE in my left arm, with moderate LE in the axillary area, around to my back and around to the front. I am flat and intend to stay this way...I do not wear a bra and I do not wear breast forms. I am just me. And I am happy about my choice.

Today the LE therapist told me I will have to wear a bra in order to wear pieces (?) to compress back and chest. Anyone else? I just don't think I am going to do it as the area where lymph nodes were removed still hurts 5 years after surgery, and the bra band goes right over this area. I also stopped wearing the bra and forms because I noticed it made the LE worse 5 years ago.

I am in the process of being taught manual drain massage and about 6 exercises. I am wrapping right now, and in a few weeks will have to get a custom sleeve and glove.

I do have a panic disorder and I may be scaring myself, but I can't see wearing a bra to control LE. Any thoughts?

I should add while I was recently diagnosed with LE, I have had it for 5 years, it took a long time to get help in this area, for the doctor to see it and believe me. And I have noticed it is worse since I got that bee sting in my armpit this summer.

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  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 1,455
    edited October 2014

    I don't understand the need to wear a bra unless it is being used to hold forms in place.  I'd think you could just use a tight fitting shirt instead, using safety pins if necessary on the outside of the shirt to hold the forms.  I might be missing something though because I haven't had to use forms yet.  I am small breasted enough to go w/o a bra if I so chose.  Can't see how that would do anything but possibly help me LE when it flares.  I used oversized bra bands with extensions then.  

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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited October 2014

    Your therapist probably thinks you need a bra to hold the Swell Spots or other items in place to help with the compression. You don't need a bra to do that. You could use a compression top, or if you go to EAB Medical, they have "breast binders"   That's what I use to hold my Swell Spot in place. My LE is mostly truncal also.  I do sometimes wear a Wearease compression bra, cuz the breast binder misses a certain area that the bra strap hits for me.  However I find the bra uncomfortable after about 6 hours or so, and I need to come up with another solution for that area.   Check out the breast binders at EAB medical and see if those would work for you.  I do recommend the "lined" ones for comfort.

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited October 2014

    Or try the WearEase compression t-shirt or Slimmer (cami)--you might not even need the "pieces" (they're usually called Swell Spots or chip bags) if you get good coverage from a t-shirt or cami style.

    LE is a rotten thing to have with a panic disorder. Do take your time adjusting to new garments or management techniques, and ask your therapist how you might take short breaks from wrapping or garments so that you don't stress yourself out. Hopefully you have a good relationship with her and feel comfortable expressing your needs. LE care is crucial, but it shouldn't have to add to other issues we all deal with. Be gentle with you!

    Gentle hug,
    Binney

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