VISIBLE SIGNS OF LYMPHEDEMA - A PICTORIAL

ChiSandy, this sounds more like Axillary Web Syndrome (also called cording) than lymphedema (although the pain from the cording can certainly cause a lymphedema flare (pain draws more lymph fluid to the area). Hopefully your lymphedema therapist should be able to help with cording. Hang in there!

Have you learned to wrap yourself? An important skill to have for future flares.

Please keep us posted. Gentle hugs,
Binney

Cyndi I have heard of it. Also just wanted to let you know I had cording in my right arm and none in my left. I ended up getting LE in my left and still to this day no LE in my right.

I am awaiting biopsy results to even find out if I have BC, it was 2/4/2016. However I have one thing that's more than annoying. I do have pain in breast and lymphedema including extreme tingling in fingers. There's is swelling under arm, as well. I showed radiologist and they took US pictures of axillary area when did bx. I have not heard of this prior to surgery. it doesn't effect doing stuff, but it's always there. Anyone? Is there anything natural I can do to help also?

Thank you for the helpful advice. I am struggling with LE now and need my right arm/hand to write and type, etc for work, let alone life in general. I just recently started therapy as my upper arm has really swollen a lot and my hand and fingers are swelling lately also. They have used the arm and chest pump on me prior to wrapping to try to decongest and bring the size down so that I will then be able to get a sleeve. Found out my measurements suggest that I will need a custom sleeve (expensive). Hoping my insurance will cover it but, not too confident in that.

Do the sleeves help a lot? I was told I will have to wear a sleeve pretty much the rest of my life. How cumbersome does this become? Or, do we just acclimate and get used to it? I was terrified of the possibility of lymphedema and now having it, hate it. I have been very positive thru the whole cancer diagnoses (two primarys at same time), chemo, mastectomy, lobectomy, radiation, pneumonitis from radiation and chemo, pneumonia, now LE. So many side effects from so many drugs, some lasting with CIPN, on Lyrica possibly forever to combat the pain. That causes hair thinning and weight gain on top of the prednisone I have been on for almost six months. (Sorry, venting......because family, friends and coworkers truly have NO idea.) Have to have ovaries removed next week due to inability to take tamoxifen and my estrogen/progesterone positive diagnoses. I will have my second mastectomy this fall due to high cancer risk in family. Just want to look forward to something....something good! I know, I am still here and that is good but, want to feel good about myself again. That"s a daily struggle for me right now.

Anyway, just looking for some good news that this will get easier.

Hope everyone is doing well.

I don't need my sleeve everyday,, but I do feel better when I need it and put in on. I do wear my truncal compression every day,, and I definitely feel better with it on. I think you will find that compression does feel good once you get used to wearing it. It is a struggle in the beginning,, I know I had a lot of trouble finding the right combination to help me with my truncal problems,, but now that I have it down,, it is no big deal. Where I used to (long ago!) put on a bra every day,, now I just put on my truncal stuff. No biggie. Hang in there sunshine,, it will get better.

Insurance can be tricky. Be sure and get an RX from your doctor stating the medical necessity for a custom sleeve,,, or whatever other LE equipment you need. Hoping that wherever you purchase from, can help you with filing insurance.

Grandma I have LE in my left arm (10 nodes, no rads). My other arm had 4 nodes. I get PB once year (occasionally more but try to keep it to a minimum) and do have to get blood work on that arm but won't let them use a tourniquet. Lucky me I have good veins. I also have a family history of LE in legs but so far left arm is fine. I would discuss with doctors and make sure they don't put the pressure up too high but…

untreated peripheral artery disease can lead to gangrene or amputation. I know I would rather live with LE than have my arm or leg removed. You have to weight the risk reward.

I wear lined breast binders from EAB Medical. With a Swell Spot on the affected area.