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Articles say to avoid sleeping on your right side if you have lymphedema. It just feels wrong!
@A MyBCTeam Member I forgot to mention...lymphadema never goes away. And some women don't get it right away after surgery or radiation. They can get it months or years down the road. Doctors don't know why. The good news is...it's treatable!! My lymphadema is stage 2. I pretty much control it with diet and exercise, not lifting anything heavy also helps. Over time you will learn what you can and cannot do. You Can live with it. Listen to your lymphadema massage therapist. I was taught how to do my own massage. I got released from lymphadema therapy 2 months ago. I've had no problems doing my own massage. If I develop any problems I'll tell my oncologist and go back. Good luck.
@A MyBCTeam Member This might help with your swelling. I tend to retain fluids, especially when I use a lot of salt or eat foods with a high sodium content, MSG makes me swell up like a balloon! Read the label on cans and frozen foods. They're loaded with sodium! Hope this helps!😁👍
@A MyBCTeam Member I would also like to add that I haven't had any surgery or radiation therapy and I still got lymphadema in my arm. My cancer is in my right breast and behind my chest wall(right side). My lymphadema therapist said my lymph nodes can get clogged, meaning they're not doing their job. Swelling in my armpit, tenderness usually lets me know something is not right, along with my arm swelling up, my skin feeling tight and feverish sometimes. You would notice the difference in the size of your arms.
@A MyBCTeam Member Hi! I have lymphadema in my right arm. I have found that laying on it causes mine to swell, because the lymphatic flow of fluid is constricted, sort of like wearing socks that are too tight. The weight of your body on it will be too much. At least for me it is. I usually lay my arm up by my face on the pillow if I sleep on that side or sleep on the non effected side and lay my arm on top of a pillow for support. Good luck. 🙂👍
I would think sleeping on your left side wouldn't be good. I am a stomach sleeper and could not sleep on my back. I tried the first 3 nights after lumpectomy and sleep wouldn't happen so I positioned my pillows that they would allow room for my breast to not be squished against the bed . Women with Lymphedema need to reply to give you ideas. 🥰
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