Sandy, What does lymph. to chest wall feel

[lu ann]

Dear Sandy,

What does lymphedema to the chest wall feel like? I had tram flap reconstruction with my origional diagnosis 14 years ago. With that I experienced much nerve damage in the entire left area of my chest.

I was dx. with mets to spine, chest, ribs, and pelvic bones Feb. 04. I recieved rad. tx. to chest and spine. I have a compression fracture in my spine so I am on 100mcg. fentanyl patch every 72 hours for pain.

I had an MRI to entire spine in August 05, and a recent Ct scan of chest abdomin and pelvis. Bone mets are stable and pleural effusion has improved.

I keep having numbeness and tingling across my upper back, achiness in my shoulders, and a dull pain in the reconstructed area. It feels tight and heavy. Could this be lymphedema? Would lymphedema show up on the CT scan?

I got a good report from the doc. yesterday, but I feel bumbed out because I'm still in so much pain that it is hard to believe that I'm getting better.

Your thoughts or opinions of this are appreciated. I will also ask my doc. next time I see her.

Blessings, Lu Ann.