Changing weather, Cold fronts causing pain and swelling

FLislander

Just finished reading LE and natural disasters, getting LE pain from atmospheric changes such as tornados. Well, a cold front came though today and I have just been achey and hurting on BC side. I have not been diagnosed with LE and I am only slightly swollen on under arm and side ribs. Just wondering if anyone else can tell the weather with their body pain like I'm feeling. I'm starting PT again soon, have to admit the pain will get me there sooner than I thought.

hugz4u

HI, Yes people do complain about atomospheric changes causing stir in their LE. I think we have a current tread on this that people have been posting on in the last few days. Check it out.

More important right now is for you to check out with an qualified Lymphedema therapist to see if you have truncal/breast LE because you say that you are slightly swollen under the arm and side ribs and that sure sounds like it. I am thinking if you had your surgery last April you should be all done with swelling.

You do not have to have arm LE to have truncal or breast LE. It can present itself where I previously mentioned. Have you noticed if it feels better after a sleep? I find after I wake up in the morn I don't feel as full as during the daytime. I get minimal pain as my truncal LE is not so prominent but some people have a lot of pain. I take care of it by wearing tight shapers to compress my trunk at night and shapers during the day. I also wear a swell spot at night which is a foam chip form that fits nicely over my breast and underarm inside my shaper. This moves the stagnant fluid out. Each person is different with LE so we present with various symptoms and treatments but we all get Manual Lymph Drainage done if we can afford it as this takes out the bad fluid. (MLD therapist)

This is treatable especially if you catch it early enough. Please google the stepup-speakout website on lymphedema. Sorry I don't know how to link it but it will answer your questions until our dear experts from here come to help you. A few girls from this board developed the site. How fortunate we have eachother!

Stick with us and more important make sure you are seen by a qualified person. It can be tricky to diagnose and a lot of professionals such as PT's or your MD or your Breast surgeon don't know that LE can present itself in early stages without swelling.

I hope you don't have LE, it is good that you are proactive. Don't fret quite yet. You have come to the best place for help.

Anonymous

Hi, FLislander - I agree with Hugz's suggestion to have a LE evaluation. Swelling six months after surgery is a bit long to still be considered post-surgery swelling. My LE developed on the side of my chest in the underarm area - truncal lymphedema. I went to a PT for range of motion exercises and wanted to regain my strength. Some of her exercises actually increased my swelling. I went for a LE consultation and was diagnosed. I received several weeks of manual lymphatic drainage treatment by her, began to wear a compression tank (a piece of shapewear I bought at a dept store) and was taught how to perform manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) exercises on myself. I felt so much better once that swelling went down. With lymphedema, having it addressed as early as possible gives you the best chance to control and prevent it from becoming worse. The website Hugz mentions, StepUp-SpeakOut, is a great website that has accurate, current and helpful information. It is also a resource on how to find a qualified therapist. Here:




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

FLislander

Thank you for the responses. When I go to PT in 2 weeks I will get seen by an LE therapist also. I think it may be truncal because my arm and hand are not swollen. Will find out soon

Thanks

Cindy