Breast lymphedema

Merfactor,

It is so frustrating to think you are past the worst of BC treatment, the LE flares. There is hope with breast/truncal LE. Mine has finally subsided 4.5 years after rads treatment.

For several years I wore compression shirts. Finding what will work is trial and error. I started with UnderArmour mens small and tried several women control top brands. The best was a compression shirt gals here helped develop with Go Athletic Apparel. What works for one person will not work for another because our bodies are all so different, as is our LE.

I also exercise regularly. Jogging has always controlled my LE. I suspect any exercise that requires deep breaths will help, as will taking very deep breaths from time to time if you cannot exercise. There are in fact breathing exercises specific to truncal LE. Not sure where to find these now.

LE massage worked somewhat with mine. It is helpful for the therapist to help you find the lymph nodes to target and combine this with doing it in the arm.

What I avoid is underwire bras. I'm small breasted, but still used them off and on until I found good replacement bras.

I'm sure others will jump in to help.