Lymphedema: Evolving Research Lifts Restrictions

Oh dear! Oh dear! The good news with the bad! How many more woes are in store for us women with breast cancer? I never thought cellulitis could be life threatenening.As for avoiding medical procedures,does that include breast reconstruction as well? Perhaps an electric razor or cream/spray would be best for removing underarm hair.PJ please help.

 

Yours dejectedly

Cressida

Arm exercise does make my lymphedema worse, but I've learned to wear my compression sleeve to the gym.  When I do that I don't have problems.  I have flare ups when i do too much repetitive activity with my affected hand or arm, which unfortunately includes typing, a big part of my job.  I've learned that it's much easier to prevent a swelling than get it back under control.  It's also important to see a certified lymphedema therapist.  There are so many advances in the field that regular PT's usually don't know the best techniques.  

 

To Cressida, I was worried when I had to have surgery on my affected arm, but it turned out fine.

 

Phyllis 

I was walking with a fellow Vixen who was carrying bags on both arms, and she told me that the new finding are exactly that: carry on!

You are the ROCK.

XO

Marisa 

PJ, what advice do you have for patients who have had both breasts removed regarding blood draws and/or taking blood pressure?  I had sentinal lymph nodes removed on both sides.  That increases my risk for lymphedema to 40%.  Will I increase my risk even more every time I have one of these procedures done?  Should I offer my ankle?! 

Hello, PJ, I see this article was posted some time ago, so this will be of no help to the woman who asked about it, but perhaps it will help others. I had bilateral mastectomies, one with only a single node removed and one prophylactic, and developed lymphedema on both sides (arms and trunk), so I'm a firm believer in taking precautions against lymphedema after any breast cancer surgery. Being bilateral, that means blood draws and IVs in the foot, injections in the thigh or hip, and blood pressure taken on the thigh or lower leg. For blood tests, have your doctor write "Draw from foot only" on the lab order sheet. For IVs needed for tests, be sure to call ahead and request that someone be there who is capable of doing it. For IVs during surgery, request that the anesthisiologist do it -- they're good at it! For regular blood pressure checks on your leg, check with your local fire department as to whether the EMTs there can do it for you on a regular basis so you'll have a record -- blood pressure taken from the leg runs higher, so you will need to establish your own baseline in order to know if it's trending up or down. None of this is easy, but if it prevents or postpones lymphedema, it's well worth being proactive. Cassie

Thanks for the tips regarding Lymphedema.  I have Lymphedema in my dominant arm/hand because of the need to remove many, many lymph nodes during my mastectomy.  It was scary at first, now I'd say it is more annoying than traumatic.  I wear compression class 2 sleeves, class 3 gloves and class 2 gauntlets AT ALL TIMES (except showering or sleeping--which I do in my trusy blue Reid Sleeve).  As a middle school teacher, I wasn't sure what to expect, but three years and counting (yeah!), the kids are great.  Manual lymph drainage, as well as laser therapy has helped through my Lymphedema Specialist.  Here in Florida, the heat is probably the hardest part of wearing compression garments.  I'm toying with the idea of the Lymphediva fashion sleeves...but, I am still looking for fashions that I can wear that are loose-fitting, light-weight and not low-cut (port scar & bra inserts tend to be noticeable in low cut tops.  Ideas?