Swelling and lymph problems continue after 3 years

Options
sherrbear
sherrbear Member Posts: 13
edited January 2018 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Hi; I’m just wondering if anyone else has had constant chest swelling or upper arm swelling on one side after bilateral masectomy with immediate reconstruction and also 20+ lymph nodes taken from the opposite side of where swelling occurs?

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited January 2018

    I had a BMX with 4 nodes removed on one side & 5 nodes removed on the other. The side with fewer nodes removed healed more slowly. That side continued to give me problems for about 5 years. The swelling(arm/chest) was mild & I could use compression to resolve it. Any pain associated with my BMX was always on this side. I'm 7 years out & seldom have associated discomfort. Some times I aggravate it at the gym/weights. It no longer worries me. I wasn't expecting residual effects to last this long. I didn't reconstruct. Your issues may very well be related to the BMX & not the recon. part of it. Hope things resolve for you soon.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lisa-e
    lisa-e Member Posts: 819
    edited January 2018

    To me, it sounds like you have lymphedema. You should see a therapist who knows how to treat it..

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories