Could my lymphedema be causing inflammation in my lower back?

Ah, the migrating swelling. Yes. It happens. For having only had one, lousy node removed (that's all the surgeon could find despite deeper cutting and deeper digging, her words for what happened) I have had what I consider widespread lymphedema. My boob, armpit, shoulder blade, side, ribs below bad boob, sometimes up into my neck and left side of face are commonly puffier than the right. When I take my bra off at night it's like pulling dental floss out a block of cheese, that bra is DUG IN! I can always tell how bad things are by how easily, or not, my wedding ring slides on and off.  

One night I was laying in bed, feeling my gut flab, which flops on the bed beside me like a deflated floaty device when I thought, hmm, I swear there is a bigger handful of flab on the left side than the right. No. That's crazy. Who gets fatter on one side? That doesn't happen! Does it? I don't know if it does or not but I am definitely thicker on the waist on the left (bad) side than on the right. This is detectable with the flab pinch test and the 'grab a handful of that stuff' test.  

My LE ebbs and flows. But I can FEEL it in my face and neck, as well as see it. Bulldog jowl meets penguin neck. I'm so sexy. I do some facial massage that's supposed to get the lymph flowing. I don't know if it helps. I've gone at my face and jaw with one of those massive old vibrators. All it does is make my nose run violently and jangles my eyeballs around very badly so I can't see very well. I do not think this device is refined enough for delicate facial use. I do some floor stretches on my back, the most effective exercise for me. As well in the spring strenuous outdoor work (raking, hauling, picking up, burning, splitting wood, turning soil by hand, etc) seems to get things flowing and i feel my best when more physically active. But in the winter when I am sloth-like, the LE gets bad and yes, all the way down my side to my abdomen, I am puffier. After my surgery (where shit went wrong) I was black and blue and green all the way down my ribs right to my pubic bone. I looked like I'd been hit by a truck. I often wonder if that didn't set the tone for future LE. 

Cowgal I don't know if LE can cause sciatic pain. But it sure can be its own misery. 

Is that you in your avatar pic hugging a cow? Is it a charlais?

As posted in many other threads, the average education that a doctor receives in medical school about lymphadema is 15 minutes - out of 7+ years. Most don't understand or accept LE. I have breast & truncal LE that was finally diagnosed by my RO. My BS, PS and MO all said... pooh pooh... I would make an appointment to meet with a trained LEPT.

Take a look at this link created with input from very smart BCO members. Not only is the information great but there are references covering most of the US. https://www.stepup-speakout.org/

Hi ladies,

I appreciate this thread, as I have been wondering lately if lymphedema must have arm swelling involved to be considered so? Ever since my mastectomy, I will get puffy on the side of my chest under my arm and it will last maybe a few days and then go down. My arm hasn't been an issue at all thus far. This week I'm puffy under my arm on the side of my chest again, but it's been more persistent. I'm definitely aware of it when I'm wearing my sweater, my coat etc. I have a slight build, and can see some puffiness. but what got me feeling nervous this week is that I feel some tightness in where my boob used to be and I've never felt that before...only puffiness in the side under the arm.

Have any of you had that tightness feeling in the chest where your breast was? Could lymphdema affect me there?

vl2 I had 2 nodes out as well and have issues as well. I did go to a specialist who works with breast cancer patients and taught me about massaging the arm to get the fluid back. I Often do that when I am in bed lying down and raise my arms arms and just push on it all the way down the arm and it is almost like honestly you can feel the fluid moving back into my body. Strange but true.

posey - hi! You might try a compression shirt to see if that helps - my LE is arm only for the most part, but I do have non-cancer breast side puffiness as well. Under Armour has some t-shirt type compression shirts and since it is winter something like this might work as a short term experiment.

https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/p/tops/womens-ua-tactical-heatgear-compression-t/1235253.html?start=0

Runor - I hadn't heard the story before and am grateful to hear your results. I'm going to try it on days when I feel tight & swollen.

Clynnejohn505, My truncal lymphedema seems to get bad when it is hot and humid. Therapy was able to help me with the swelling when it went up the side of my neck and across my shoulder. When it is hot its hard to wear the compression bras!