i noticed today that my arms dont look even. my op arm looks slightly swollen, not a deal, you do have to look properly but i asked a few people and they all picked out the same arm as bigger.
ive not really thought about it, after mx, anc, chemo, ive not paid much attention to my arm but today i felt a difference.
any ideas? what do i do with it?
angie xx
Hi Angiepops
Maybe you could give the helpline a call in the morning to ask them, the number is on 0808 800 6000, opening hours are Monday to Friday 9.00 – 5.00 and Saturday 10.00 – 2.00.
Best wishes
June, moderator
Hi Angie
It really is impossible for any of us to say whether or not its lymphoedema as you need to be seen by a lymphoedema specialist (quite often a specialist nurse or clinic although I believe some Breast care nurses also deal with this). I would suggest contacting your BCN and getting a referral as soon as possible. If it is lymphoedema, the sooner you get treatment and advice the better.
My experience is that it’s best to see a specialist in the field. GPs and even surgeons and Oncs don’t often have the specialist knowledge and when lymphoedema is very mild - as mine was when diagnosed - it can be dismissed as nothing. As soon as I had my arm measured, the lymphoedema nurse made a diagnosis and I started treatment immediately which got it right down again.
In the meantime, you could ensure that you’re arm is elevated while your sitting down, say watching tv. I do this by putting a pillow under my arm to raise it up. Don’t lift anything heavy with that arm including shopping bags. Try to do heavier activities like housework and gardening in short bursts rather than spending hours on those things which can increase the flow of lymph to the arm. I’d also recommend the BCC leaflet on lymphoedema as that gives advice on arm exercises and the dos and don’ts for those at risk or with lymphoedema.
It may not be lymphoedema of course and I hope that it isn’t. But the main thing is don’t delay in getting your arm seen. You may have a wait to see a specialist - I had to wait about a month - so the sooner the referral is done the better.
take care
Elinda x
Forgot to say that if you see any signs of redness or anything that might indicate an infection such as developing a temperature then you need to get seen urgently and get antibiotics.
@Angie- the best thing to Do is not be too active today. Keep the arm slightly elevated while sitting and avoid hanging it down low while walking around. Avoid vigorous activity today if poss. Ring yourBCN. Tomorrow and get an appointment asap to have it assessed.
@helena- deep tissue isolation is an unusual therapy in this country but widely used on the continent especially in Germany. It involves gentle electric cuteness which vibrate through the tissue and encourage the lymphatic flow. I don’t know where you live but I googled lymphoedema treatment in Kent and found a private Nurse specialist who lives near Dover. Want that expensive either. About£40 and I was there over 2 hours. Don’t know if it works but it seemed to help me and it certainly can’t do any harm!
Sorry meant that for Amber!!! X
Oh no! That’s pants. Hope they see you soon. X
Hi Karen, so sorry you’re having a tough time. It’s pants isn’t it? The lady I saw was called Chris wise and she works 2 days a week in London fir a lymphoedema consultant and from her home near Deal the rest of the time. If you Google " Chris wise lymphoedema" she comes up. She has a website with all the details on it. It’s Worth a try. Good luck. X
Good luck! X
The bra does not rub if i use triumph sports bra or mastectomy bra by Nicola Jane.triumph came from hospital and i ordered extra on line. Nicola Jane came from the bra clinic - also on line but she does visit hospitals. She was fab - had proper fitti g with wound etc… The wired bras of old do rub - but. I can’t feel it, so get red line if on too long. Numbness is weird - struggle still with it. People bump into you ,but can’t tell. Kids at work give a hug and hit implant! But onthe whole most days doesn’t feel too different til i do too much. Helen