The physical therapist I worked with gave me another good hint; if you suspect lymphedema, hold out your hands, palms up, and look at the veins in your wrist on both sides. Are the veins on the affected side much less visible? Can you see the veins in one wrist, but in the other (affected) wrist, they’ve disappeared? Time to see the doctor.
Q. My arm feels fine; it’s my breast that feels funny, especially up under my arm. Could that be lymphedema?
A. Yup. While lymphedema most often shows itself in your arm, it can also appear anywhere on the upper quadrant of your trunk on the affected side: front, back, and under the arm. So keep an eye on those areas, too. Best way to do this is to look in the mirror and compare sides.
Q. It’s been 10 years since my surgery. Can I ever stop worrying about lymphedema?
A. Unfortunately, no. It can occur for the first time years and years after surgery. Make it a point of examining yourself regularly, however you find easiest. About once a week, I slip one particular ring on and off every finger, right and left hand, comparing one hand with the other. And I look at my wrists. It’s easy enough, it takes about 30 seconds, and I’ve been free of lymphedema for three years now… and counting.
