Lymphedema and strength training/arm/back/shoulder work

nowords

HIi

I started strength training in November with an educated masters level trainer who developed a program to hep me regain full range of motion and strength. I worked upper body, usually 7 things, some free weights, some manual resistance with the trainer providing the resistance, and mostly nautilus type machines. I did 4 to 5 lower body and 3 or 4 core specific things. There were two routines, and I alternated them. I went twice a week. I did firm up and gain better range of motion, but  also developed lymphedema. I am in therapy now and the results have been good, and fast to bring it back down. The trainer worked counter to some of the standard lymphedema teachings...competent in sports injury recovery etc., but huge ego and unwilling to work with the input of Oncologist, PT etc. I think he had me on machines that were not great for my radiated tissue and probably built me up too fast with increasing arm weights... So after 4 months I am done there, very costly mistake...SO, my question is, for those who work out, what do you do? I am having DIEP on May 27th. I want to be in the best shape that I can going in. I am thinking ab and back work is helpful...but not sure...I think I can do leg and cardio, as long as it is not rowing and holding the handles of the elliptical machine the PT said...any info that you have is helpful...I have some equipment at home, free weights and a body solid system that mostly works upper body and a gym quality elliptical machine. I can afford to join a Lifetime Fitness type place to get access to anything that is helpful...If anyone has any input...I would be much obliged. I am 52 and in pretty good health other than the Big C.

NatsFan

Nowords - before my DIEP my ps sent me to the PT department of the hospital which gave me an ab/core program - lot of stuff on my back with my legs on the ball such as bridges, leg raises, etc.  Also they had me do crunches of all kinds and pilates type core exercises.  I also did the elliptical a LOT to strengthen my legs. Having strong abs and legs going into the DIEP helped me immensely. 

Also, practice getting off the sofa, chairs, etc. without using your arms - just use your legs and abs.  You'll be doing that a lot after your DIEP. 

Good luck!

nowords

Thanks NatsFan,

I asked the PT doing the Lymphedema treatment about some to do as well, and she suggested some of the same types that you mention. 

Once you healed from the DIEP, how soon until you started working out again? Before Cancer I was always active, but not always with machines and classes, more walking, gardening, cleaning etc. I like the idea of strong arms and all, but now I am fearful of many weights and arm work outs.... 

NatsFan

I was walking in the halls in the hospital after my DIEP - very slowly and painfully, pushing my IV, but I was walking.  My ps encouraged walking, so I did a lot of that during the 6 weeks I was off work.  I started out being able to only walk to the corner and back but by the end I was doing 1-2 hour walks.  Slow, yes, but walking.

Your ps will put you under restrictions for other kinds of exercise and activities, probably for at least 6 weeks if not longer.  You'll need to be guided by what your ps says and not go beyond those restrictions.  

Your LE therapist should be able to work with you to carefully and safely increase your upper body strength once you are cleared after surgery.  My LE therapist gave me a series of upper body workouts to do.  She started me out very slowly with 1 pound weights and was very controlled about how fast I increased weights and reps.  Under her guidance, 2 years later I'm up to 8 pound hand weights for many of my exercises.  If I have a flare or notice the "heaviness" issue, I'll back off on weights and reps and slowly increase again.  And of  course I'm a fanantic about wearing compression while doing weights and wrapping at night as necessary (I have Stage I LE so I'm fortunate enough that I don't have to wear compression 24/7, but obviously I'm very careful as I want to stay at Stage I.) Today I garden, shovel snow, and even run a chainsaw (we have a cabin in the woods) but I have learned to pay attention to the arm and stop what I'm doing immediately if I feel like I'm overdoing it, and take measures like increased MLD and wrapping to avoid flares.

Also, make sure your LE therapist is watchful for truncal LE after your DIEP.

If you haven't already, you may want to check out the Lymphedema thread for more info - there are a lot of very knowledgeable ladies over there, and lots of links to LE resources.  

Good luck!