Forum Discussion

Suzf's avatar
Suzf
Member
15 years ago

Breast lymphoedema

The big L has stuck with a vengeance, has anyone have good tips for keeping breast and trunk area cool. 

I am using small saline flat packs and freezing them, placing them in a small cotton pack and placing under my crop top. 

They are working well but the edges are sharp.  Is there a spacial cool pack I could buy that would be better. The only ones I can find are too large and thick. 

I'm sure some beautiful bc member has experience with this and can give me some good advice.

Suzf

3 Replies

  • Suzf's avatar
    Suzf
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Lyn,

    I'm getting some relief at last and yes I am very happy now the cooler weather has started.  I am taking low dose Efexor to control the hot flushes and it seems to be working.  I have ordered 2 special compression bras and am looking overseas to find more.  I am still in crop tops but feel rather 'daggy' with frozen saline as a cool pack to help with the swelling but I have not found abything better.  Even the gel breast packs for mastitis don't work for me.  Sadly breast lymphoedema doesn't seem to be on the radar of many people yet.  I have emailed Professor Ian Frazer re: more research and he has told me that research funding is going to be cut by 20% by the governement in the next budget so I am looking at who best to lobby.  Any ideas?  Suz xxx

  • brissie_lyn's avatar
    brissie_lyn
    Member
    15 years ago

    Bad luck with that swelling...maybe time will heal? I couldn;t wear a bra for long for ages and then used an extender piece so it wasn't so tight. I can now wear one all day but it took nearly 8 months to feel normal again.

    I am fine except for experiencing a worsening in menopausal hot flushes. It is dramatically worse than ever - sweating hot flushes every half an hour at times , day and night. I carry a fan ...can't wait for cold weather! It is so bad, like my whole electric system is haywire.

    I think I told you I refused tamoxifen....hope I am right to do that. Anyway, hang in there and try different things.

    Lyn

  • Suzf's avatar
    Suzf
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Lyn,

    The radiation has damaged my lymph nodes - apparently quite common these days with lumpectomies - I've seen the breast physio this week and have had some reduction in pain and swelling but apparently it may not ever be resolved completely so very slow recovery is the norm.  I am using cold packs and massage and gentle exercise and have ordered pressure bras as I am still in crop tops and not really happy with that.   The worst is travel as I am travelling regularly with work around the state and will be presenting a paper in Melbourne in May and visiting a pain clinic in Melbourne next month.  If you know of any good tips please let me know.  I have had some very strange bruising with the tamoxifen but that is now resolving itself slowly.  How are you going?  I hope all is well with you.  Suz x