Breast oedema

I haven't heard of that @Lynn65

I have been getting treatment for lymphodema in the breast.  Swimming (thanks folks here for recommending that!) and mobiderm have been the most helpful so far for getting fluid down.  not sure if folk are familiar with mobiderm - a lymphodema physio gave me a small piece to put in my bra — it’s uneven surface like bubble wrap seems to help fluid to move around.  I liked the result so well that I have purchased some from the mobiderm.com.au site.  https://mobiderm.com.au/collections/mobiderm-bandage-system  - I prefer the 5mm x 5mm stuff but accidentally ordered the 15mm x 15mm, which seems to work ok too, just lumpier.  I have also bought several different bras but anything very compressive seems to set the swelling off.  I have been recommended someone to try who specialises in fitting bras for lymphodema so I’ll give that a go too.  Not sure if others have had good results with mobiderm or not. 

I live in France and go online with you helpful people courtesy of my daughter who lives in Melbourne. Australia is way ahead of France in dealing with oedema. There may not be the experience here, unfortunately. Thanks for your comments. 

I think there may be some myths floating around about massage but that's not to say that there may not be any risks - I'm no expert.  That said, I wouldn't go to anyone - just to someone who is experienced in oncology massage.  As I understand it, massage is a very important tool in managing lymphoedema.

I'd also be interested in why your surgeon recommends against massage. After repeated aspirations, and just as inevitable refilling, massage was the one thing that really helped reduce my big seroma before the serious infection requiring surgery - and no-one suggested massage had caused that! 

@judys Did he/she say why?  Or tell you what sort of treatment you should have?  I go to the Lymphoedema and Laser Therapy Clinic in Stepney, Adelaide but I'm not sure where you are.  Perhaps if you add your general location, someone may me able to give you a recommendation.

After a double mastectomy with lymph nodes removed I have had 7 fluid removals  from my side and chest  with a syringe by my surgeon as I am starting radiotherapy..  The surgeon does not advise more  How to find an oedema specialist? Surgron advises against massage. 

There is some evidence that seromas can act as one trigger, not necessarily the only one, for lymphoedema. If fluid can't move normally because of a build up.....well, as my therapist says, you can't drain the water from the sink if the plug's still in the hole. So early treatment other than aspiration to help move that fluid seems logical. But not always suggested. I agree with @Rose18, go to a trained lymphoedema specialist if you can. They are good at stopping it as well as treating it.

The nurse at my GPs wrote me out some sort of health care plan which has given me 5 visits to the laser therapy physio at a much reduced gap (cheaper than my health cover).

@JoeyLiz I went to a lymphoedema clinic for a few years because of lymphoedema. I know you don’t have this. I also had a seroma. The laser treatment was wonderful and the massage that they did was also very helpful. They are experts in the area.

 Make sure you go to one that’s recommended. They think about the whole body so they massage the lymph nodes in the groin, the armpit and the area affected. I’ve also learned that it’s important not to wear tight bras, make sure you drink enough water, exercise and breathing is important - taking deep breaths. I know this is more about lymphoedema, but it could be helpful for you.  

The concept of emptying buckets is really helpful, so that the fluid has somewhere to go. The only downside of the lymphoedema clinics can be the cost, especially if you don’t have private health cover. All the best.