So sorry to hear you’re dealing with this! I know how uncomfortable it can be. Have you tried the lymphedema drainage massage? I find this helps me a lot whenever I actually do it. It takes a good 10 minutes to do it right and if you can have someone do it for you, it REALLY helps. Here are the links to my occupational therapist’s youtube videos, and I’m attaching the info sheet she gave me. I hope this helps!
Hiya,
Thanks for the suggestion. I will try that
I think the exercises are helping bring it down.
I would like to get to a point where I feel the flare up and bring the swelling down without worrying about it. That’s something to work on as I’ve got to that point with the daily management of it.
Take care x
Hi @Katie_S Sorry to hear of your flare up. Where I am, I had a lymphoedema clinic that I was referred to and given a leaflet for manual lymphatic drainage. Lucky for my I did t have any lymphoedema.
I was told I had an open appointment to call them direct at anytime if I wanted to be reassessed, so I’m wondering if you have the same and can give them a call to get it assessed.
The charity Penny Brohn do an online support group which I found very helpful. Here is the link but there is only 1 session to book, but you may want to ring to find out if they have more for later on.
I found Jen McKenzie a breast cancer physio on YouTubewith some very useful content.
Link to leaflets available in Wales for lymphoedema
I love your name on this site by the way! I know we’ve chatted before.
Thanks for your advice thankfully moving even more than I usually do for a few days has brought the swelling right down.
I go for a lot of very short walks throughout the day and do pilates. Sometimes it seems excessive to me but it’s the thing that helps the most and is healthy overall.
I do have the option to get an appointment with my lymphoedema clinic as well.
Hi @Katie_S I’m doing ok. But I have another cord appear in my armpit so I’m off to the cancer physio in 10 days for some deeper massage. Muddling through with hormone therapy but I’ve managed to get on a CBT course to help with menopausal symptoms.
I do like Pilates, I have a reformer in my garage that I’ve had for nearly 20 years ago but rarely use. But I’m committed to do more as it so supportive. I enjoy Tai Chi Shibashi, I’ve just completed a session online with www.pennybrohn.org.uk
Looking for a bit of advice or help. Have had lymphoedema in left arm since March 2025 following axillary clearance in Nov 2024. I find it very frustrating and uncomfortable, in fact, I probably hate it to be honest. I really don’t like wearing my compression sleeve even tho I do, it’s just the sight of it. Looked into LVA surgery thru the Oxford clinic, the doctor there was brilliant but unfortunately I am not a candidate for the surgery. My lymphoedema has progressed too much for the LVA to be effective that was a bitter pill to swallow.
Anyway I broke my wrist in August, was in a cast for 7 weeks. Now cast is off, my lymphoedema has flared up, I’d sort of got it under some sort of control before. My fingers and arm are quite swollen. Just wondering if anyone can recommend MLD machine I can use at home?
I’ve used something before at my lymphoedema clinic, it’s like a big sleeve that you slot your arm in, gives you massage for about 30mins. I’ve moved house now and we don’t have any specialist centres near me.
thankfully moving even more than I usually do for a few days has brought the swelling right down.
that was a bitter pill to swallow.