Breast lymphedema: Anyone have good physio techniques to help?

Posted by brightside21 @brightside21, Apr 29 1:28am

Has any one found good Breast Lymphedema help & management.
I'm in the UK is there anyone who's got their Breast Lymphedema controlled or has even been cured or is it ALWAYS a life long condition.
I'm struggling daily with discomfort & extreme swelling & still not seeing any positive changes or results.
Does anyone have good physio techniques to manage the swelling & discomfort .
Please advise, post diagrams or video links, any helpm is greatly welcome.
Thank you

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celestebradham | @celestebradham | Apr 29 7:50am

I was diagnosed with lymphedema- was not extreme.
1. I went to a lymphedema specialist- usually a PT or OT that has been trained in lymphedema. I saw her weekly/bi weekly for a couple months. Mine was excellent- she trained my husband to help
2. Got fitted for a sleeve and bra/ camisole compression wear. - usually the same place for prosthetics
2a. I also got 2 swell spots.
3. Mine is under control,but there are things that set it off. Heat, and flying
4. I wear mine when I fly every time. I put it on after security.
5. Compression
https://www.mywhb.com/
6.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gtF9wNAPGps&pp=0gcJCdgAo7VqN5tD

mossa | @mossa | Apr 30 8:00am

Please don’t try to treat lymphedema on your own before seeing lymphedema therapist-you could end up making it worse. The therapist will give you instructions for lymphatic massage and use of compression. Good luck to you

hhoskin3361 | @hhoskin3361 | May 1 7:45am

I agree…see a lymphedema therapist asap. She/he will give you techniques to manage it. I also found that a healthy diet and regular exercise aids in control of swelling breast/arm tissue. Compression bras also work miracles. Be sure to get the right size and fit. Good luck to you.

clh71 | @clh71 | May 2 8:30am

Specialist treatment was too expensive for me. In a hot shower, I stretch my right arm out and press into the wall of the shower. I do that several times. I take a scrubby for the bath and go around my breast several times, and my underarm. Really lean hard into the pain of the breast. Go up and down and around. You could do that alone or with your Lymphedema treatment. It helps.

brightside21 | @brightside21 | May 2 12:28pm

In reply to @hhoskin3361 "I agree…see a lymphedema therapist asap. She/he will give you techniques to manage it. I also..." + (show)

Hi, this is a great help & I've been able to forward the video to the Lymphedema clinic to ask if the tequnique is suitable for me to do daily whilst Im waiting to be seen.
And YES was the answer alond with a phone call explaining once I've been seen they will expand & give more massge technique for me to do at home that are different.
At least the clinic agree that it's a good starting point & geys me going.
So thank you for sending the info.
Bras also they said wait until I'm seen so I don't make an expensive mistake.
But yes I do need a well supported but compression bra.
Can I ask have the exercises & compression bra got the lymp breast back to normal size ? Or almost?
Many thanks again x