Lymphatic massage - how do you know if you need it? when do you start?

Hi @Eastmum. To find a qualified lymphoedema therapist in your area go to the Australasian Lymphology Association website, https://www.lymphoedema.org.au
They also have some links to videos on how to do self massage. Being in water is very good, as it provides a good level of compression on your arm, however it may be a little soon after your surgery to be in a public pool? Depending on wound healing

I had both the electronic device and also the old-fashioned measurements taken.

Thanks @"Kiwi Angel" @kezmusc and @Sister - I appreciate your advice - I think I will go and see someone who specialises in this. I've recovered quite a bit of movement in my arms - washed my hair for the first time on my own today, man did it feel good! Maybe because I went back to cooking dinner, driving and working pretty quickly. But I still had to ask the gorgeous guy in Harris Farm to reach something from the top shelf yesterday - well, maybe I would have asked him anyway :wink:
@Sister - my breast care nurse did those baseline measurements - do you mean the one where they put a probe on the back of your hands and one on your foot? I'll go have another look at all the pamphlets she gave me.
I'm not sure if I'd know at this stage if what I'm feeling is cording  - these expanders are damn uncomfortable and seem to reach right into my armpits sometimes so at this stage I'm still trying to work out which 'twang' means what - I think a physio is the way to go.
As always, thanks so much!
Yvette xx

Although I did all the exercises I was supposed to do and, according to the surgeon, healed beautifully, I still got cording after a mastectomy with axillary clearance.  The surgeon advised me to go the physios who specialise in lymphoedema and laser therapy.  I have had 4 sessions with them and the cording has subsided amazingly and I have far more easy movement in that arm (I could do things before but it hurt like hell).  Cording can lead on to lymphoedema, apparently but I don't know the ins and outs of that.  One of the things that the physio did was to take baseline measurements of the circumference of my arm and the fluid levels to match against any possible fluid buildup.

Hi @Eastmum

I had full node clearance (24) as well.  I started with the exercises 1 wk after surgery and physio 4 wks after.  The exercises are invaluable. Hurt like hell at the start but not for long.  I had trouble with cording and a monster seroma in the breast.  The physio showed me how to do the massage to help the cording and reduce some of the swelling. There is a little test they can do to see how well the lymphatic system is working.  Your physio will know. 
 I think I did the massage for about 3 months. I would do it twice a day and exercise that arm as much as I possibly could.  Especially up above head  (Read that as hand painted a tongue and groove timber ceiling) That sure sorted out the swelling. lol.  Seriously though, the exercises are the key.
 Nothing really changed with it during chemo and rads I just kept doing what I was doing. I am 19 months (wow) post surgery and 10 months post rads.  It's taken up to now to get most of the sensation back though.  There are still a couple of slightly numb bits but they're getting there.
 I've had pretty much full strength in that arm from about 4 months after.  The seroma was up and down and all over the place for 12 months. Zero problems with lymphodema.  The only time that arm gives any trouble is at full stretch with weight on it and it doesn't like the vibrations when pushing the lawn mower.  Apart from that. All is well.


All the best  xoxoxo

@Eastmum I had 12 nodes removed when I had a right sided mastectomy. I got a little cording in that side and was worried about the possibility of lymphodema so went to see a lymphodema physio. I didn’t have lymphodema at that stage but since I have started chemo I do have some slight swelling on that side - no one even noticed unless I point it out. My physio won’t call it lymphodema until I finish chemo as all the drugs can cause swelling - just ask my ankles!!  My advice is if it is something u r concerned about make an appointment with a physio that specialises just for an initial consult. It’s generally covered partially through health insurance or Medicare if u get a letter from your doctor. Xoxox