Forum Discussion

cranky_granny's avatar
cranky_granny
Member
4 years ago

Lymphedema in breast ???

Does anyone have any suggestions for relief ? 
I don’t know if I’m just grabbing at straws before the ct in November 
my breast and armpit swells and becomes hot and painful its not all the time though. I can start the day with my 1 breast smaller then the other thanks to breast conserving surgery but by the end of the day its bigger than my the other one and the hole/ dent is deeper. 
Sometimes the swelling settles overnight sometimes a couple of days
i can go a day or so and there’s no swelling 
My arm and hand doesn’t seem to be swelling like it did in the beginning
Looking forward to any ideas
or do i just wait till the scan 
  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    4 years ago
    CRP is a 'general inflammation' blood test - ie if your body is fighting an infection, arthritis etc - I've had arthritis for the last 20+ years, so mine tends to always be a 'tad high' so my GP was 'used to it' .... but if I get an infection, it goes up even higher, THEN my GP takes notice!  ...... 

    It would show as just 'one line' on your results ...... as CRP


    A rough idea of what it indicates is below:

    What infections cause a high CRP reading?
    These include:
    • Bacterial infections, such as sepsis, a severe and sometimes life-threatening condition.
    • A fungal infection.
    • Inflammatory bowel disease, a disorder that causes swelling and bleeding in the intestines.
    • An autoimmune disorder such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
    • An infection of the bone called osteomyelitis.
  • cranky_granny's avatar
    cranky_granny
    Member
    4 years ago
    @arpie the blood test had so many letters etc i gave up deciphering 
    @Afraser. I do have a seroma which has been slowly shrinking 
    this swelling is the whole of my boob to under my arm. The reason I’m hoping its lymphedema is I’m not swollen hot and sore all the time 
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    4 years ago
    While it may be lymphoedema, it may also be a seroma (accumulation of fluid). I had a persistent one which caused significant fluctuations in size - a seroma may also be a site of infection as the nutrient rich fluid is attractive to bad bacteria in the body. It would be wise to get it looked at as soon as possible. Best wishes for a speedy resolution. 
  • June1952's avatar
    June1952
    Member
    4 years ago
    Anything hot swollen and painful needs to be checked ASAP.  I would not be waiting that long for answers.  It may be nothing but it needs to be investigated.
  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    4 years ago
    Poor you xx  Did the blood test include CRP as well, to measure your 'inflammation' levels?  Keep taking those pics!

  • cranky_granny's avatar
    cranky_granny
    Member
    4 years ago
    @arpie i have taken some photos of sorts  i mentioned it to Onc at last visit hence the ct
    Got that organised and my follow up with her on 18th nov. as well as blood test etc and all the other tests she wants my GP to organise which i will worry about after this lot is dealt with

  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    4 years ago
    Sorry to hear that @cranky_granny .... can you talk to your Breast Care Nurse (if you have one?) Or ring your Cancer Centre .... maybe take photos when it is swollen (then the next morning when it has settled), so they can see the difference.

    I don't think I'd be waiting til the scan in Nov.   Take care, all the best xx