lympadema in upper arm

sheri47

 my mast was jan 09 broke my arm april 2011  now in sept my arm is swelling down to my elbow can it just stay in one part of the arm? ty

Binney4

Sheri, hello,

Love your adorable avatar -- beautiful little people!

Bummer on the broken arm, and now the swelling. Short answer, yes, lymphedema can be just in one part of the arm or hand. There are other reasons for swelling too (like a blood clot), so do get it checked out quickly.

Any member of your medical team can give you a referral for an evaluation by a well-trained lymphedema therapist. Here's how to find one near you:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

A lymphedema diagnosis can feel really depressing. With good help, though, you'll get on top of it. Please know we're here for you.

Gentle hugs,
Binney

cookiegal

I am an upper arm mostly lympher....I have a tiny bit of lower arm and hand swelling, but it is 90 percent upper. Who knows why. 

This is totally unofficial, but I think compression is a little different for us. We don't want to push the fluid down, which is what wrapping or too much compression does to me. 

Good Luck! 

Nordy

Oh boy... I am going to be Debbie Downer here... LOL! I started with just swelling in my upper arm, then after a step class (all that waving around and stuff) my arm just blew up - hand, wrist, forearm, elbow!!! ARGH. To this day I have not been able to get my elbow or forearm back to normal... my hand is not really involved and my upper arm is not horribly bad. Go figure... this is where it landed. Anyway - like Binney said - have it checked out to rule out other things. I agree about garments too - not too tight at the top - in fact I still stay away from any garment with a silicone band at the top because I tend to get a back flow there when I wear one. Oh... wait, I should mention that I did the step class without a sleeve. My mistake - I knew better, but because it was so mild and I had been exercising without one up to that point, I didn't even think to wear one. SO - if it is indeed lymphedema, do not hesitate to find a good LE therapist and get right on things! Early intervention is SO beneficial. ((((hugs))))!