Hi Saddend
I know there are other members who have experienced it and maybe one or two who have it now. I know it's very painful from what I've read. It happens to some people who have had Masectomys. Give em time and someone who shares the same problem or has had the same problem will respond to your post. Hang in there hon.

Well I'll bet you didn't expect to hear from a man, but I had breast cancer in 2005. I ended up with a pocket of fluid under my right arm. Probably not as noticible...but it's there. It's painful at times since I like to sleep on my right side. I wasn't told until after surgery that I would have to be very carful of my right arm. No blood pressure cups... no shots or needles ...beware of too much sun...etc.

I talked with my cancer doctor and he suggested a couple of plastic surgeons to visit, but I'm not sure I want to be cut on again for a while and unfortunately I wouldn't have time to take off work if they could help me.

I'm sure you've talked to your doctor about all these possibilities. I even read the other day that there is a new procedure that they run a tube up your forearm before the mastectomy, and this has greatly reduced the swelling, pain, and numbness that follows.

I say this because there have tremedous advancements made to treat cancer victims. I pray that you will soon find the answers that will give you relief. Hugs to you! John

Hi, saddend. I have lymphedema in my right arm too. Plus it is under my armpit and down my right side. I had therapy on it and it did help. My arm was wrapped and massaged which helped with the pain. I wear the compression sleve at times. I should wear it daily. It can get better. Pix

Hi,
I have lymphedema left arm and underarm. My whole underside of arm is tight and painful.My range of motion is limited. I got a compression sleeve yesterday and it seems to help some.

I am so sorry for you and others in this forum who have lympedema. Ever since my mastectomy I have been so paranoid of this, above anything else if you can believe it. I was warned by my doctors & nurses, to the point that every "weird" sensation I would immediately go into a panic. Since I became so obsessed about it, my doctors told me it was unlikely I would ever get it as long as followed the usual rules (ie no blood pressure cuffs, carry purse on left shoulder, etc.). May I ask how you got it? Was it sudden or did it come on gradually? How did it feel at the start? I am sorry if I seem insensitive and I don't want to impose, but I am still very afraid of this and I have no idea what to recognize as a symptom. Would you mind talking about it please?

Before the drainage tubes were taken out I felt a burning in my back. I went to the hospital and had the tube under my arm removed. They said I may have an infection in the sight. I always had fluid seroma they said in my cheast and under my arm. When I returned to work as a cook my arm pit filled with fluid and my arm and back burned with pain. I had to stop working as every thing I did made it worse.As of today almost a year and a half later I fill with fluid and I am in pain . If you are going to get lymphedma it would already have started.

hi saddend, i'm sorry you are having so much trouble with the lymphedema. i was a year and a half out of mastectomy surgery when it devloped. for qtkruising, i thought i had arthritis in my had but when it swelled i pretty much figured it was lymphedema. i can occur as much as 20 years afer surgery so we always have to be careful.i thought breast cancer was enough then we have to deal with lyphedema to. so sorry for all your discomfort.