Fingers slightly swollen

alexandria58

Hi.  Last night i noticed that my fingers on my right hand = the side the lymph nodes were taken - seemed a little swollen.  I slept with my sleeve on - but this morning the fingers still feel a little bigger than usual.  It's Saturday -  no doctors to call. Could this be the beginning of lymphadema or just a reaction to the heat wave of the past few days?  Is there anything else  I should be doing?

Thanks.

kira66715

Alexandria: do you have hand protection? The sleeve can push fluid into the fingers and it's the last thing you want.

Technically, you shouldn't sleep in a day sleeve as it can bind and trap fluid.

Here's what I'd recommend:stay cool, raise the arm on pillows, drink tons of water, occasionally pump the fist overhead, and hold off on the sleeve for now. Get a LE therapist evaluation 

I'm going to put in two links: one is Andrea Cheville MD on why hand protection is important with a sleeve--especially for women at risk--from LymphaDivas site, and the other is what to do while waiting for a LE therapist eval--there are links on the site:

http://lymphedivas.com/lymphedema/gauntletandsleeve/

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/How_You_Can_Cope_with_Lymphedema.htm#while%20waiting

What to do While Waiting for Your First Appointment with a Qualified Lymphedema Therapist

DO NOT try and treat this yourself!!! Proper professional treatment is essential to getting control of lymphedema and preventing its progression. Treatment can be expensive and inconvenient, but this condition is life long, potentially disfiguring, disabling and possibly life-threatening (if you get an infection known as cellulitis) so professional evaluation and treatment as soon as possible is essential.

1) Get evaluated promptly by your doctor to rule out other causes for the swelling in your hand/arm, and get a referral to see a well-trained lymphedema therapist;

2) Drink plenty of fluids -- staying well hydrated helps dilute lymph fluid and keep it moving freely;

3) Elevate the swollen arm or hand as much as possible during the day and on pillows at night; support the arm well so that it doesn't tire;

4) Several times a day pause and do some deep breathing -- this helps stimulate the largest lymph vessels in your body;

5) Raise hands over head as high as is comfortable for you, three times a day, and pump fists 20 times;

6) Call for medical help immediately if you have severe pain, redness, fever or feel ill;

7) You can try mild compression gloves by either Sammons Preston or Isotoner® Fingerless Therapeutic Gloves if your hands and/or fingers are swollen until your appointment with your lymphedema therapist. Be sure to bring them along to your appointment;

8) Do NOT use ACE wraps or any other wraps without the advice of your lymphedema therapist after your evaluation and your treatment plan is scheduled.

Let us know how you're doing.

Kira

alexandria58

Thank you!!!!