Lymphedema six years out?

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whatRstatsanyway
whatRstatsanyway Member Posts: 53
edited April 2015 in Lymphedema

Active lifestyle use my arms constantly. Had SNB, did chemo,Herceptin and 5 years AI. I did not do radiation as I had worked with gamma radiation and wasn't comfortable with more exposure. Noticed a couple of months back a bit of pain in my neck and along my shoulder, but no lumps, bumps or constant pain. It went away if I was busy and was never severe enough to take anything for it. Now Im noticing a bit of puffiness under my arm and along my trunk (had mastectomy). No loss of function and, I admit, I didn't let cancer stop me, so I lift, carry and carry on as I'm living with the cancer diagnosis, but not ready to die from it...I always did have slight puffiness, if I overdid it, but this isn't going away. I live 4 hours from any treatment center and there are no lymphedema specialists nor therapists where I reside. I have a follow-up appointment in 4 weeks with the surgeon ( who does the follow -up in this area - I get to see him every six months). Am I panicking thinking that I have a met on the collarbone or in the chain causing an issue after all this time? Aaaarrrghhh :>(

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  • Luvmydobies
    Luvmydobies Member Posts: 766
    edited April 2015

    Hi, I have truncal Lymphedema and have achiness, swelling and puffiness in the areas you described. My puffiness is mainly above my mastectomy scar but I do have some around and under the arm pit. Ugh. I can't tell you that's what is causing yours but I would definitely check with a therapist and your Oncologist. Truncal LE is challenging for me because it seems like nothing reduces the puffiness, such as compression and drainage exercises. It's just a tough area according to my LE therapist. Also you can develop it many years out from cancer treatment. I know a lady who developed it 15 years out!!

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