Breast oedema & cellulitis

Thank you very much Tracey1967 much appreciate the tips to handling symptoms and very much  confirms  some of my  current symptoms. Relief its not all in my head

Hi Amber, I had lymphoedema in my breast and a seroma. I also had golden staph for 12 months. The surgeon even had to go in again and clean the infection out of an abcess.
Down the track, I wore a compression bra for 18 months (back to a normal bra now). Though I was a bit fluidy  after the plane trip to the Summit. So I would probably wear it for planes and possibly sports.
My Lymphoedema Nurse taught me how to do manual drainage massage at home. I also do exercise. I am weary of doing exercise in the heat of the day. I don't have really hot baths anymore :/ I was also weary of using a wallpaper steamer in a small space (steam and heat). I am also overweight, so losing weight will help with symptoms. Hope that's been a help. :)

@amber1 Yayyyyyyyyy!!!!! That's great :)

@amber1, I love reading responses like yours. So glad you got on to things and got sorted quickly. This network is so great 
Paula :)

@amber1
 so glad that you have got some help and it is resolving.... this forum is amazing the support and knowledge as a collective that we all have. 
Hugs 
Soldier Crab

I have lymphedema in my breast also.  As well as the taping I have a small lumpy bit of sewn fabric a physio sold to me, which when I wear it under my breast, also massages it like the tape mentioned above. It's called a swell spot.   I can't wear a bra because during the day the band gets tight and I get breathless but no one I have asked knows why this happens.  So I wear a stretchy singlet which is tight enough to hold this lumpy cloth in place.  Here is a link to a website about them.http://www.lohmann-rauscher.us/us/products/solaris-collection-by-lr/swell-spots.html

I also have been wearing a gel dressing on my scars on my breast to help to soften the scar.  The theory is the scar is also stopping the fluid draining from my breast.  

If if anyone knows why I can't wear a bra because of the band tightening during the day, I would love to hear about it.  Good luck to those of us with this annoying side effect from surgery and radiation.  Karen 

Hi Amber
Post mastectomy I had lymphoedema in my chest side and back as well as my arm. I also had a seroma and then developed cellulitis which landed me back in hospital twice until eventually I had a drain reinserted. This was great as it relieved the seroma but I was still left with lymphoedema and infection. Several rounds of antibiotics took care of the infection and now its only the lymphoedema left to deal with. I have attended several specialist physios who do massage to assist the build up of fluid but even more helpful I have found is to have them use kinetic taping. It's a very easy tape to wear as it is not restrictive and moves with your body. It is cut into long strips rather like fingers and the theory is that it massages your body as you move and helps clear the fluid to your good side. The physio showed my daughter how to cut the tape and apply it and so now she tapes me when I need it. I find this together with a good compression bra
( particularly if I'm doing housework or heavy lifting) has the biggest impact for me. I hope you find someone who is able to help you soon.

Pollyxoxox

If you have a breast care nurse ask if you can be referred to an OT who can help you. If you have cellulitis it needs treatment by a Gp often with antibiotics. I have lymphodema in my left arm.
Hugs 

Hi @amber1
I had breast odema I had to wear a compression belt that my Amoana consultant organised for me.http://www.amoena.com/  you will be able see where your closest stockist is. 
I needed to wear it for possibly 3-6months, I agree with previous comments that encore is wonderful for this.