Very common side effect, sorry to hear you have endured it for so long. You need to see a physiotherapist for some treatment and get taught some homework . Even better if it is a physio  expereinced in cancer rehab .  Lymphoedema therapists can also help, and advice you . From  better bras, wide sides, compressive , inserts to help spread the fluid and soften the fibrotic tissue. You need to be assessed for chest/trunk lymphodema and get proactive about self care , or it just gets worse. Like wise mastectomy bra specialists are a big help . ( even if your node removal was for another cancer)  Scar thickening, radiation fibrosis, lymphtaic fibrosis etc  also reponds well to cold laser and also scar therapy trianed massage . Couple great ones in Sutherland Shire Sydney if your lucky enough to live here.     Heap great videos on stretches, rib pain , slef lymphatic massage, radiation fibrosis, shoulders, and much more on this you tube channel . https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreastCancerPhysio/featured   Find a scar therapist https://restorescartherapy.com/   Find a lymphoedema therapist https://www.lymphoedema.org.au/accreditation-nlpr/find-a-practitioner/   Some bra names  Compression bras and products for lymphoedema swelling, similar, but different to post surgical recon medical compression bras.   Haddenham Prairie wear Hugger bras -Prima, Vida  ( Aria not in in AU yet )    https://hadhealth.com/hugger-bras         www.lymphshop.com.au Haddenham Comfiwave -cotton ribbed stretchy chest band for sleep  https://hadhealth.com/comfiwave Anita Lymph O fit bra, Anita sew in pocket,         https://www.heavenlycurves.com.au/anita-lymp-o-fit-bra-nude.html Amoena- Cura lymph/Lymph flow range, Linda/Leslie soft bra, Liane singlet top, silicone texture pad, breast shell https://www.amoena.com/au/lymph-care/                    https://www.opchealth.com.au/bellisse-compression-bra    https://au.brightlifedirect.com/search?q=jovipad Jobst- Bellisse pocketed compression bra, various shaped JoViPads -lateral pad, breast pad with tail, surgical vest, PitPaks Juzo -soft compress breast pad or breast bandage  https://oaplshop.com.au/bandage  Mobiderm bra https://mobiderm.com.au/products/mobiderm-intimate-bra  & pads 5mm or 15mm https://mobiderm.com.au/collections/mobiderm-bandage-system Lymph pads various textures – Medi  https://www.mediaustralia.com.au/products/lymph-pads-leg/ Juzo, https://www.juzo.com/en/products/compression-garments/additional-products/replacement-products/juzo-lymphpads , Cosmac Healthcare Swell spots https://cosmac.com.au/Swell-Spots/   *Many of these things you may need a lymphoedema therapist to order for you as they are medical grade. Anita and Amoena brands can be ordered from a mastectomy bra specialist.   I am still doing rib stretches every day 18 yrs later , i get on the floor with a foam roller , do various stretches and lymph moving movements learnt from physios, Encore, EPs, and lymphodema therapists. It really helps reduce pain and discomfort. Move the body, move the fluid, stretch out the stiffness.    My lymphoedema FB page is Lymphoedema Lymphatics Stuff and Sutherland Shire Breast Cancer Support Group  ... View more

lymph nodes are busy doing their job. Sometimes they get overloaded. You have just had chemo and lots of fluids so your body will be trying hard to process all that . Don't panic about it. Just wait and see how you next scans go, ask your medical person to check . If they don't settle down you could see a lymphoedema therapist  as they the ones who can teach you how to move fluid, but that can only happen after you been clearnace by doctor.     I had breast cancer 18 years ago and had 11 nodes removed in my armpit, i know how uncomfortable a puffy armpit is.But I knew that was lymph fluid. Excess fluid does cause pain for me. But have had to learn how to keep swelling down with self massage, deep breathing, compression, skin care, lymph moving movements.  Our lymphatic system is amzing, but  some gentle tai chi is great for armpits , breathing and arm waving, slow body turning . That should be safe for you to do until you get doctor clearance. Try it a little ,gentle sequence  for a  short time, then wait, and see if it helps. Next time you see your doc ask about lymphodema risk in relation to your specific surgery and if you need a referal .Or just to wait until post surgery and chemo settles down. There are a bunch of nodes alos in the middle of our chest, and our thorasic duct nearby that handles all the lymph fluid, if they poked around near there. Plus our heart and circuilation system effects fluids, and digestion ... so many things can effect our 'fluid ' balance. Hope your feeling better sooon. ... View more

Do call cancer Council, they don't list support groups on a website as they change so often, but they  do keep a list for callers as i know I filled out a form last year as a group leader.   Do also check the assosciations and foundations for your specific  cancer, they often have zoom groups and online groups.   Also ask at your local  public and private cancer treatment centres, sometimes they may have one.   Another sydney group is  LifeForce, they have in person and online groups for cancer peeps and also one for carers.https://www.facebook.com/LifeForceCancerFoundation   If you happen to be a southern sydney  breastie- I have a support group in sutherland shire and a lymphodema one.   Other Lymphodema face to face support groups  ( which are for all sorts of lymphies, but often lot of cancer peeps ,) can be found at www.lymphaustralia.org.au including our online zoom one.     ... View more

It is one of the very annying potential side effects of chemo. Sadly sometimes never goes away as the nerves are so damaged , but more often then not ,  it can improve/lessen  with time- but over years not weeks. I have seen a lot people focus on exercise and healthy eating and B vit like you already are doing,  Neuro retraining such as using warm and cool water swaps,  wriggle hands and feet in a bucket of uncooked rice- it helps the brain relearn  the space/skin of the extemities, massage hands and feet with hands, ball and other tools etc to help with blood flow and space perception , lots of regular balance type exercises have been proven to really help with CIPN and important to reduce falls  risk . I have seen acupuncture help some CIPN patients, not always works for everyone , but certianly worth a try incase it helps  ( but experienced and fully registered  practitioner preferably with cancer experience, not needling ) Super dooper skin care/hygienne/moistuiriser , daily checks for cuts and cracks and address immediatly with antiseptic , dressings .Never walk barefoot anywhere. I have lots ladies ot support group that just live in sandshoes most of the time for safety. Many of them did a trial called InFocus Neuropathy study and or another QLD uni one that trialed wam pack and cold packs vs massage ball. The Infocus one was working with an exercise physiologist cancer rehab specialist doing balance exercises and the ladies loved that , i remeber one lady went from being to scared to climb a ladder due to not feeling safe since she couldn't feel her feet to feeling much more confident ,especially bush walking on uneven surfaces.She raved about balance exercises and how much they helped. ( EPs at Peak Health in Gymea are top notch when it comes to cancer rehab) ... View more

Whatcha doing next Saturday 4th Nov?   I hope you will be watching the live stream of the Lymphoedema Association Australia Information day, and enjoying the speedy,easy learning, lots of tips n tricks and background info that will help us better understand and manage our lymphoedema.   These info days are fabulous. Curated and tailored information summarised and explained really well. One of the most helpful things I ever did for myself was to start going to them. They don't happen often,and live is more interesting, but it will also be recorded. So don't miss it either way. If your lucky enough to live anywhere near Brissy then do go in person for an even better value learning experience .   𝗟𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗮 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆 , being held in QLD and live streamed and recorded.   This is a great opportunity to learn, network with others and gain a greater understanding of lymphoedema and not to be missed.   Live streamed  10 am Brisbane is 11 am Sydney time.  8am Perth WA time.10.30 Adelaide SA ,11am Hobart TAS.   Date: Saturday 4 November 2023 Reserve your ticket now. Virtual Attendance LAA Member - $20 Non-Member - $40 (Become a member for $40) 10:00am - 12.30 Session 1 Lunch break 1:30pm - 3:30pm Session 2 Registration fee - In Person attendance : • LAA Member - $30.00 • Non-Member - $60.00 Venue: Kedron-Wavell Club, 21 Kittyhawk Drive, Chermside QLD Time: 8:30 am - Registration (Trade display & Morning Tea) Presenters: • Professor Sandi Hayes - Senior Research Fellow within Menzies Health Institute QLD, Griffith University • Dr Jen Sanderson - Physiotherapist and Lymphoedema Practitioner, PhD. Works in Brisbane and conducts research at Griffith University • Dr Amanda Pigott - Anatomy, ICG, Head and Neck LO • Desi Carlos - Diet and LO • And More! https://www.lymphaustralia.org.au/ **Become a member of LAA for just $40 before you buy your Information Day ticket,which will then be half price.   See/share webpage , facebook posts on Lymphodema Association Australia also i have been doing posts on my page Lymphoedema Lymphatics Stuff ... View more

Thanks. I will add to ssbcsg FB post i did the other day and keep in mind for any young un's in our group or newbies .My group emails also go to our 3 breast care nurses, so it will inform them which may also help word spread out to their cancer care centres at St george and sutherland. ... View more

Yes i saw that information on the poster and you reitereated it in messgaes to others on this page. I have a local BC email contact list of over a 100 and i will send it out next time i do a group email. But very few would meet the criterias of that group,especially with the meetings being in the city. This area has lost the 'all cancers/all ages' group from Miranda and the all cancers/all ages group in Kogarah., so any advertising is good for any support group .It takes time to raise awareness. Good old fashioned Posters in cancer treatment centres is a good way to spread the word.And ofd course making sure you on the CC list that they keep of support groups for when people call them, since the don't listthem online anymore. best wishes. ... View more

  is it ok if I update it like this? ... View more

Do you have a sharable facebook post somewhere, with 2021 dates and the fact your meeting by zoom atm? I was asked to share this image but it does not reflect current intofrmation. Zoom might appeal to young people who don't work in the city and the 2019 date needs updating. K ( Sutherland Shire Breast Cancer Support Group) ... View more