I have the above in my armpit where the lymph nodes were removed. It is itchy and puffy and the skin is a bit mottled and I get little bumps on it in that area. I also had a skin infection previously in my underarm so I would like to get on top of it!
Has anyone had any success in reducing lymphoedema in their armpit and if so what worked? Was wondering if any compression garments might help? I’m doing MLD but not sure if I’m doing it correctly. I’m doing quite a few physio prescribed exercises with some light weights as well as I also have cording in the armpit.
Any advice would be much appreciated if anyone has been in a similar situation?!
Hi, could you ask for a referral to a lymphoedema therapist? I am one myself and have never come across lymphoedema actually in the armpit, nor an accompanying itch, so it sounds to me like there might be something else going on. I’d recommend being assessed in person by a qualified lymphoedema therapist and also (maybe first) a visit to the GP for their opinion. Compression garments for that area might be tricky to get and would probably need to be custom made, but you could maybe try something like a skintight base layer top in the meantime. However, this wouldn’t be recommended if there’s any active infection. Regular moisturiser is important and the therapist would also be able to check your MLD technique. I’m finding it hard enough to do a little MLD on myself, despite years of practice doing it on others! It’s also maybe worth considering if the weights have exacerbated the problem. There’s not a lot of definitive guidance out there regarding the actual size of weights and which specific exercises are beneficial or otherwise. Recommendations are all a bit vague unfortunately, but maybe you could ease off the weights and assess for any changes. Hope this helps.
Thank you @pod123, the lymphoedema clinic wanted me to come in but I didn’t think it was bad enough to warrant a trip in but think I will take them up on their offer when I’m back from my holiday. Thankfully the skin infection has gone, was on antibiotics for a while for it, I also have cording so the clinic thought that wasn’t helping with drainage.
I have mild edema in my breast and some recent cording in my armpit .
I’m seeing a physio anyway but she’s asked surgeon to refer me to lymphoedema team anyway.
Does your physio massage? Mine does and it releases the scar tissue .
Keep moving . I’ve gone back to the gym lifting light weights .
Lymphoedema Support Network have some videos on their YouTube channel
. There is defo a breast one, not sure about armpit …
There is a lady called Vicky Fox, yoga for cancer book . Exercises for scar tissue, lymphoedema and cording x
Thanks for the tips, I will look them both up! Yes, my physio has been doing a lot of massage to try and help with the cording.
Yep, the cording is so annoying! I’m realising it’s going to be a longer time than I realised initially to get my body back to a state that I’m happy with!
Hi Emmeline, After axillary lymph node clearance I have a lump about the size of a satsuma that’s expanded towards my armpit. I’ve also still got a swollen breast. I saw the lymphoedema nurse just before my chemo started and she showed me various self-massage techniques that I now do every day to try to get the lymph fluid moving. She explained that lymph fluid travels round the body on A-roads and when a section has been removed they have to find another route round via the B-roads to link up again. While you’re waiting for an appt with the lymph nurses the massage techniques are on YouTube if you want to give them a try.
Well that sounds reasonably hopeful. I will have a look at some videos, I probably need an appointment with a nurse to show me like you say, if I’m honest I didn’t think it was bad enough, but the itchy is quite annoying and when I brush down my arm towards my armpit and down the side of the armpit I can feel all the lymph fluid moving under the skin!
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