increased lymph edema with exercise

have2laugh · January 2021

Wondering if anyone can offer advise on what has helped them manage flare of lymph edema with exercise. It has been a year and a half since I finished 5 years of tamoxifen and since then I have put on 20 lbs likely a combination of diet/exercise changes, turning 50, starting low dose lexapro to help with perimenopausal symptoms, diagnosis of hypothyroid and this darn pandemic to top everything else! I have never had to lose weight in my life so I'm aggravated I let this sneak up on me and making small changes to lose over a reasonable amount of time to keep off. I am about six weeks into doing zumba couple times a week on zoom from home and much like the last time I started exercising more regularly I am having trouble with lymph edema in my left breast and nipple irritation with cracking and pain. I had a quadrantectomy with second surgery and had bad raditation burns especially on the nipple which took 6 months to heal but I am 5 1/2 yrs out from finishing treatment and lymph edema was much better until now. So my question is can anyone recommend a certain restrictive sports bra or insert or even a balm to prevent this irritation? Kind of frustrating as Gyn/primary have no idea what to make of post rads/lymph edema changes but as a nurse practitioner myself I reassured her I did not think this was an inflammatory breast cancer change just what happens to me sometimes with exercise. Might need to check back in with lymph edema PT but even then when I went to shop to look for inserts I met very kind hearted elderly volunteers but beyond mastectomy bras/inserts they really didn't have much to offer for compression on one side. Any input appreciated-even if it's just what you tried that didn't work so I save a step or two! Not giving up my exercise but need to be more comfortable. Thank you

Megan

Moderators · January 2021

have2laugh,

We're so sorry to hear you're having this complication. We're sure others will be by soon to weigh in with their advice and experience, but in the meantime, we wanted to share with you this page from the main Breastcancer.org site on Lymphedema & Exercise, which offers good advice for staying active and also protecting yourself from a flare-up.

We hope this helps!

--The Mods

SpecialK · January 2021

have2laugh - I have bilateral arm lymphedema, and breast and axillary swelling on the non cancer side, which had far fewer nodes removed, a 2 node SNB - go figure. I do wear sleeves and gauntlets but still have an occasional flare from exercise. There is a member here - minus two - who has breast lymphedema and she recommends this bra, linked below. Another thought is a compression shirt, I have used this type during long haul airline flights, but it needs to be tight. There are also long sleeved versions.

https://www.wearease.com/products/sydney-bra

https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/p/tops/womens-ua-tactical-heatgear-compression-t/1235253.html?dwvar_1235253_color=001&dwvar_1235253_size=MD&country=US&currency=USD&scid=scplp1235253-001_Medium&sc_intid=1235253-001_Medium&cid=PLA_SC_US_135_KOHD0JLEWX&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIt7u3lsSw7gIVQYKGCh0ygQ0JEAQYCSABEgICePD_BwE

MinusTwo · January 2021

thanks Special. Yes have2laugh - I have breast & truncal LE. I swear by this compression bra. I wear one 24/7. My LTPT was so excited so see something that comes up high under the arms and in the back. It's lightweight, they wash beautifully and dry quickly. I even wear one under my swim suit for water aerobics. It's a woman owned company based in the US and they are really great about helping you get the right size and returns if necessary. The Sydney Bra also has pockets for a prosthesis if necessary.

And as Special says, lots of people have found relief with compression shirts. That is probably a less expensive proposition.

Below is a link about all things LE is you haven't seen it.

https://www.stepup-speakout.org/

increased lymph edema with exercise

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