Thumb/web

theyaregone

Hello ladies.  I have a problem.  I had a bilateral 6 weeks ago and ever since the day I left the hospital my hand has hurt and been slightly swollen.  It really hurts in the web between my thumb and pointer finger.

I saw my surgeon and he said there was no way I had LE because I only had the sentinel node removed.  At that time my arm was pitting and in a lot of pain.  Since then the pitting and arm pain is gone but my hand really hurts.

I saw my GP and she had an ultrasound done to rule out a blood clot.  Which was ruled out.  Now she says I must have sprained it or something.

Why won't they listen?  Or am I bing stupid thinking I have LE there?

Half of my palm is swollen as is the web area.  If I lightly pinch the web area the pain is majorly intense (heck I sound like a teen with the terms) LOL

Anyway, what do you think?  I would swear someone pulled my thumb in surgery but there is no bruising.  I have another appointment with my GP tomorrow.

I get the impression they think I am nutz!

kira66715

Theyaregone: you are not nuts--if your arm was pitting and painful, you had some significant swelling. 

Also, women can get lymphedema with "just" a sentinel node removed, and more nodes were in the breast tissue. 

Two things come to mind: one is that lymphedema can start in the hand and the web space is a common place for it to start. The other is axillary web syndrome, which can run down to the thumb and hurt!

I'm going to put in a link to AWS information:

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

Cording/axillary web is very common, but can predispose you to lymphedema, and the best thing to do is to see a qualified lymphedema therapist to address the swelling and pain and take some baseline measurements and give you guidance on how to avoid lymphedema.

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

You'll need a referral from one of the providers on your healthcare team.

Hopefully this all post-op swelling and cording, but you deserve an evaluation.

Kira 

Andrea Cheville MD of Mayo Clinic did a talk for Living Beyond Breast Cancer, and this is from the transcript:

"Once an arm swells-and it may be just in the hand, it
may be very subtle-it's not uncommon for
women simply to have their fingers involved or the
area between the thumb and the index finger either
on the back or the palmar surface ofthe hand.
Sites that are particularly problematic in
lymphedema are the back ofthe hand; the forward
side, the palmar; the side ofthe forearm that has
the softer skin [that] usually is not sun exposed,
we call it the volar forearm; and the area around
the elbow, on the inner side of the elbow. Very
commonly, those are the first sites where
lymphedema [appears].
 http://www.lbbc.org/Event-Archive/2009-02-20-Lymphedema

theyaregone

Kira - excellent information and you replied so quickly.  The case in the article is extreme.  I couldn't imagine the pain she feels.

Mine is solely in my hand right now.  In my arm I did LE massage myself as I had LE in my leg years ago after radiation therapy and had a good therapist then. She has since left the county.

I spoke with my GP today and she has referred me to a new therapist - the only one in the county that treats LE.  It's a good hour drive each way but it will be worth it!

Thanx again for your generosity of time to answer my question.

Galsal

Glad Kira could help.  I too "only" had an SNB but have LE mildly in the bicep and moderately on the trunk at the breast edge.  Thankful there"s the One person trained and certified for LE in Occ Therapy at the Tampa VA.  Sad, isnt it that one of the very busiest VA hospital has only one person for this.

 

1openheart

EVERYONE keeps telling me that I don't have to worry about lymphoma with only a SNB.  I have cording on my trunk, under my breast and across ribs.  Hurts like hell too!  I worry that I could eventually develop lymphoma at some point.  My arm aches occasionally and tingles too.  No visible swelling.  I am not looking for trouble, but want to be proactive.

I hope you get some relief and answers soon.