lymph congestion

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maureen48
maureen48 Member Posts: 3
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer
lymph congestion
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  • maureen48
    maureen48 Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2008

    I just had a real scare, but my doctor says it is probably just 'Lymph node congestion' - pain and swelling.  I can't find anything on it.  Has anyone dealt with this?  I'm 2 years out and this is the first problem I've had.  Thanks for the help.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2008

    Maureen, is your arm swollen?  Or your breast or chest?  Have you ever heard of Lymphedema and is that what your doctor is referring to?  Have you had nodes removed?  There are a lot of questions before one can answer you.

    Shirley

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  • sccruiser
    sccruiser Member Posts: 1,119
    edited March 2008

    You might want to visit the lymphedema thread on this site. Some of the women are very experienced with all kinds of swelling.



    What did your doctor suggest you do about the pain and swelling? Did he give you a referral to a certified Lymphedema therapist who can take measurements and talk to you about lymphedema and how to avoid it and /or control it?



    Ask him for that referral right away if he did not give it to you. Any breast cancer patient who has had lymph nodes removed (yes, even less than 3) and radiation is at risk for developing Lymphedema. It can crop up right away and even after 30 years after bc treatment. You need to have the precautions, and learn the MLD (Manual Lymph Drainage) process.



    Are you having pain? Where is it located? I'm on the Lymphedema board all the time. I do have Lymphedema and urge you to find out what your swelling and pain mean for you.



    Better to rule it out, and then you can look elsewhere for a solution to your problem. If you have LE and don't treat it, it may get worse.



    grace

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  • maureen48
    maureen48 Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2008

    Thanks for your comments.  I'm having pain and swelling of my right breast - the same one that had cancer.  The nipple is especially swollen.  The doctor did a biopsy and said there isn't much she can do if it's lymph congestion.  She used that term - not lymphedema.  So I'm a little confused.  I only had 1 node removed on that side and haven't had any trouble for more than 2 years.  Is congestion different from lymphedema?

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2008

    Maureen, I'm not well educated on LE.  Please go to the lymphedema board.  The women there are so, SO knowledgeable and I'm sure they can help you.  They also can help you with any questions you may need to ask your doctor.  They will welcome their arms to you.  Wink

    Shirley

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited March 2008

    Hi, Maureen,

    I'm with bygrace on this. Ask your doctor (or any of the doctors on your medical team) for a referral to a lymphedema therapist. I'm guessing that since this doc doesn't know it can be treated, they also don't know where to send you. Sooooo...

    Maureen, this is important: BE SURE to check and make sure any therapist you see has at least 135 hours of lymphedema training beyond their PT or OT certification, and at least a year's experience treating lymphedema. And when you call to ask about that, also ask how much experience they have with breast lymphedema. Here's a web site that has a Therapist Locator to help you find qualified therapists in your area: www.mylymphedema.com Click on the Therapist Locator and then follow all four links to the graduate lists of four excellent therapist training schools. Two of them will list all their grads in your state right on the site, and the other two ask for your zip code and email address and they'll send you a list of their therapists near you.

    There are many of us here on the boards with lymphedema in our chests or breasts. It's called "truncal lymphedema," and it CAN be treated, the swelling reduced, and the pain controlled. As bygrace says, do it quickly for the best and easiest outcome.

    Do please feel welcome to post on the "Lymphedema After Surgery" board, where you'll find plenty of "sisterhood."

    Big gentle hugs,

    Binney 

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