ADVICE NEEDED ON SWELL SPOT FOR ARMPIT

CAW

Hi Ladies ~

Can anyone suggest what "Swell Spot & Bra" I need for controlling my LE which is mainly in my armpit, side of breast and back side of my underarm?  I've read the post about swell spots and was wondering if I could get the one for the axilla area and then use a sports bra to hold it in place?  I tend to swell at night so thought it would be best to sleep in this.  I purchased the underarmour shirt and it helps a little but not enough.  I am doing my daily LE exercises 2x's a day and my MLD daily but I am still having a hard time getting the "ball feeling" out of my armpit and I still have an achy arm and also the feeling of someone sticking needles in my fingers/hand on a daily basis.  My LE is Stage 1.....will my arm & armpit ever feel normal again or will it always be like this even with doing my exercises & MLD.  Also, can I prevent my LE from getting worse and keep it from swelling in my arm & hand now that I have LE or is this inevitable that it will happen?  Sorry for all the questions!  Thanks....CAW

Binney4

Good morning, CAW!

Armpits are the...uh, the pits. (Sorry about that -- got halfway through the sentence before I realized what I was saying.) But they're not impossible, and I'm betting you'll get this under control and that feeling that you're smuggling walnuts under your arm will go away. Just takes some trial and error.

Here are a couple of options, depending on how much area you need to cover. On this page, check out the "Kimbe spot":

http://solarismed.com/store/cart.php?m=product_list&c=4

You wear it with the inside curve under your arm. It extends several inches in front and in back of your armpit, so if that's all that's bugging you it's probably enough.

And on this page, look at the "thora-thigh spot":

http://solarismed.com/store/cart.php?m=product_list&pageNumber=2&c=4&v=&id=&sortBy=undefined&search=&shopByPrice=

The curvy place goes under your arm and the two sides extend much further across both front and back. It's especially good for that pesky back swelling that's so hard to cover with any bra or cami.

They're both bulky -- this is not an item to wear under a tight T-shirt. I use a Kimbe spot (it was named after Kim B., the designer who came up with it many years ago, BTW) and I just stuff it under my bra or cami. It tends to migrate toward the front if I'm active, so on one of them I hand-stitched a square of the "hook" kind of Velcro, and that gets a grip on my bra and holds it in place better. I haven't tried the thoro-thigh spot, but I'd bet it wouldn't move around at all. 

At night you might be more comfortable holding it all in place with a breast binder (get the lined kind -- more comfortable). The Expand-A-Band ones come in pretty colors and patterns:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/breast_binders_lymphedema.htm

On the swell spots, the site I gave you is the manufacturer (Solaris). Sometimes they're cheaper from bandage supply places like BandagesPlus, so look around before you order. If your insurance will cover them you'll need to order them through your DME supplier. I haven't ever looked into insurance for swell spots, but I think I will next time I order one. Not sure how they'd write the prescription!

The whole point of controlling the swelling is to keep the lymphedema from progressing. Controlling it helps to prevent infection (which causes further damage to the lymphatics) and to keep the excess protein in the stagnant lymph fluid from doing it's damage (which includes fat deposits under the skin, fibrosis caused by tissue inflammation, and skin changes). So the answer is yes, you can prevent it from getting worse. Whether you can keep it out of your arm or hand depends more on the kinds of risk reduction strategies all bc patients can use to hold off LE. It is definitely NOT inevitable. Here's' page of them:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/riskreduction_for_lymphedema.htm

Never apologize for asking questions about LE, CAW! The more we all ask, the more likely we are to be heard and to spur more research and better care. Without all our very loud and persistent questions there will never be any answers.

Onward!
Binney

CAW

Binney ~

Thanks so much for all you do on this great site.  When I first joined 6 years ago, I would always read your post and was amazed at how helpful you were to anyone and everyone that had a question or concern.  I was hoping you would reply to this because I knew I could get valuable information!!!  I will get to work researching the info you've provided and get some things ordered. 

Another question for you.....what causes the "needle stick" pain in the fingers and hand of the LE arm (is this common) and is it possible to get this under control enough to where I'm not in daily pain and or discomfort?  I have to be out in the Texas heat everyday and it doesn't take long for the "ball feeling" in the ole armpit to occur!!  Thanks again....you're awesome!!

Binney4

CAW, it is fairly common to have tingling in the fingers and hand, though that can also be a left-over from certain kinds of chemo. If it's from the LE then getting and keeping the swelling in control all the way up the arm will relieve it. BUT, it's very hard to keep everything in control in the summer, and especially if you're out in the heat a lot. Not impossible, but harder. Come Fall you'll find this a whole lot easier, and by next summer you'll be an old hand (no pun intended!) and will know how your own body responds, so controlling it won't be such a trial and error process.

It gets better!
Binney

CAW

Thanks again Binney.  The tingling (which is more like sharp needle sticks) has to be from the LE since I didn't do chemo.  It happens in the fingers, palm of hand and inside arm area about midway up.  I especially happens a lot when I'm doing computer work even though I try to take breaks and do my LE arm exercises often.  You had mentioned the breast binder with the swell spot.  Would a sports bra work just as well along with the swell spot to sleep in at night?  Also, what do you think of the underarmour compression shirts?

Binney4

CAW, a sports bra is fine too, as long as it doesn't bind anywhere. UnderArmor shirts are fine -- you can try it in one size smaller than you'd normally wear, and inside out so the seams don't irritate your skin. I personally think the raglan sleeves are a better fit for truncal lymphedema, but try a few styles and see what you think.

I'd ask your doctor about the needle sticks -- carpal tunnel and such are always possibilities, especially if you're on one of the AIs. Just a thought.

Keep us posted!
Binney