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I noticed about 6 weeks after radiation heaviness, pain and swelling to the inside bottom of my breast. Went to radiation oncologist on 1.09 and was told it was breast lymphedema. I asked if this were permanent and she said no. I found this odd, because Google says it is. She told me to get a compression bra, do self massage and if after a week the swelling persists to contact a PT to do lymphatic massages, etc. I got some compression bras and located the one I had from my lumptectomy and it… read more
@A MyBCTeam Member
The lymphedema PT is worth every appointment.
She will evaluate you at the first appointment and may even measure your arms for a guideline.
Arms will be fine.
Mine gave me printouts of the exercises to have.
She did the massage and then later on expected me to do the massage at sessions. Your insurance may let you book 8 sessions; and PT may want to extend it more depending on you.
With all the breast massage that I do, I have arm muscles.. lol.
Thank you Sue and Bonnie. My swelling still comes and goes, hasn't gotten larger or spread. I'm still wearing compression bras 24/7 and doing self lymphatic massages. I finally will see the OT February 9th and the PT on the 10th. PT already scheduled me for 8 sessions one a week. Will see what OT wants to do when I see the therapist. I'm happy that my providers are making sure to do everything they can to help me, but I'm so tired of all the appointments. I thought when I heard after my lumptectomy pathology results came back "showing no signs of disease" my life would be a little more normal. I'm definitely feeling blessed to be in remission, but recently realized I will never go back to the me before cancer.
Sue thanks for letting me know your story and that it's only in the breast. I have been so worried about spread even though doctor said it's not likely... It just feels more reassuring hearing it from people who went through what I did.
Bonnie I'm sorry to hear about your experience with radiation and the scar on your lung. :( that's horrible. I hope besides lymphedema nothing more was damaged. I am up in the air about my decision to do radiation. I only did it because I was told it lowers the reaccurance rate, and could kill other cells that may not have shown in pathology. I didn't really see that I had a decision... I just went with what my doctors said. I was stage 2 triple positive so maybe that's why they pushed it?
Again, thank you both and Bonnie I pray your cough gets better. Pink 🩷
I was told radiation people that with having radiation, the breast might get smaller or a bit larger than it orginally was. I apparently now have the left breast a bit larger and was concerned it might be lymphedema. However I've been told it's not lymphedema. I'm wondering is this a permanent thing or will it eventually return to it's normal size. I did go to PT for a few visits and was told the same thing the radiation specialist told me. The other thing I've discovered was the 25 radiation treatments I received has caused scar tissue in my left lung which has given me a chronic cough. I've been seen by a Pulmonologist who prescribed Albuterol inhaler which is helping the coughing until I'm gaging situation. Recently I read that the ACA has now decided that radiation for early breast cancer is no longer necessary. Sure wish my early breast cancer had waited until now to be diagnosed. Sadly it's a done deal and I get to spend the rest of my life coughing my head off, for no none reason.
@A MyBCTeam Member
I have breast Lymphedema on the left breast that had the lumpectomy.
I did not find out until I got my 1st mammogram and ultrasound at about 6 months after radiation therapy.
The radiologist told me.
It doesn’t disappear unless caught really early and is a very mild case and one starts massage very early.
The massage took 30 minutes at first. I now can do it successfully in 15 minutes.
I actually modified the massage method and doubled the massage on the breast.
It needs to be done daily. Otherwise, the breast is harder and slightly bigger.
Really not good to stop a day.
I have had this since August 2023.
I agree that it is only in the breast.
Can breast lymphedema stay localized to the breast, and does it go away?
Breast lymphedema can remain localized to the breast area. The swelling you're experiencing—heaviness, pain, and that orange peel texture—are common symptoms. Your breast specialist is right that it's often manageable rather than something that Show Full Answer
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