Swelling while walking

KarenRB

Hi Ladies,

I feel like I am swelling while walking around the block.

No power-walking here, just moderate walking.  CDT wrapped (though it happened in sleeve, too).

Did anyone else have this problem?

Is it the large # of nodes I lost? (23)

I would like to return to running someday....

If you are running, did you have swelling when you walked, or does running/walking just not make you swell?

 Thanks,

KarenRB

dlb823

Hi, Karen ~ I get a lot of truncal and upper arm swelling, especially when it's hot.  And yes, I think it's due to losing so many nodes. I try to get my walking in as early as possible -- like before 8:00 a.m. in the summer.  In addition to trying not to get too overheated (which is almost impossible at this time of year), what's helped me the most is always wearing a sports bra with really good side compression, and doing regular self massage.  I walk anyhere from 3 to 6 miles most days, but in the summer I limit my outdoor walks to about 2 miles, then walk some on a treadmill at the gym.    Deanna

Binney4

Karen, some of us here have found that Nordic walking helps with controlling swelling (or even reducing it if done while wrapped). Here's a brief introduction to it:
http://www.lymphnotes.com/article.php/id/353/

If you're interested, do a "search" of this forum for Nordic walking for lots of suggestions about equipment and instructional videos.

Be well,
Binney

KS1

Hi KarenRB -- I also swell when I walk, especially when it's hot and humid out.  It's worse when I power walk, but it does happen somewhat even when I do "regular" walking, and even the slow (and bizarrely exhausting) "museum-paced" walk.  I swell much less when wrapped than when I am in a sleeve.  If you just wear a gauntlet, you might want to get a glove for walking.  Also, I find that if I need to wrap my hand a bit more firmly when I walk, than if I am puttering.  Make sure you stay compressed for an hour post walk .. a couple of times I had to unwrap immediately post-walk, and I puffed up.  KS

Moderators

Hi Karen,

In addition to the help from the ladies here, there's some good info and tips on the main Breastcancer.org site on Lymphedema and Exercise.

Hope this helps!

--The Mods

kira66715

My understanding, from the exercise chapter in the recent LE therapist course I took, is that most people with LE get swelling in their arm when they walk, but it is transient--it goes away.

I would always get swollen hands if walking in hot weather, and my sister wears isotoner gloves when she hikes.

I think the aerobic benefits of walking outweigh the transient swelling. Just keep an eye on how fast it goes away.

This heat is brutal for walking.

Kira