Guidelines on Exercise For Those With/At Risk for Lymphedema

badger

bump!

proudtospin

well the weather geeks are trying to scare the heck out of us with snow forecast...dummies but it got me to the gym early.  Not sure I would be as regular on my exercise if not for the gym!  I am lucky, it is real close to my house and membership is lo.  I am in a routine now and all is good.  My trainer gave me a group of stretches to do that I swear keeps my joints from hurting.  I do them every time I go and no back aches, small aches go away with the stretches!

badger

bumping for the New Year!  ♥

badger

bump it up!  ♥

badger

Info and call to action for all of us who care about LE and access to services -

Per e-mail yesterday, from which I have liberally borrowed to share here, the Lymphedema Treatment Act was just introduced into the 113th Congress (bill number HR 3877) by lead sponsor, Rep. Reichert (R-WA), and co-leads Rep. Lance (R-NJ), Rep. Blumenauer (D-OR), and Rep. Braley (D-IA).

You can read a very moving press release http://reichert.house.gov/press-release/reichert-introduces-critical-legislation-improve-healthcare-lymphedema-patients that includes quotes from each of these members of Congress. This introduction brings us to a new starting line.

Now we need your help asking all members of Congress to support this bill!

Please take 5 minutes to send a letter to your Representative, asking him/her to cosponsor this bill, by using the submission form http://www.capwiz.com/lymphedematreatmentact/home/ on our website. A brief template letter is provided, but please make your letter even more effective by adding one personalized paragraph reflecting your own perspective and experiences.

Now it’s your turn to make a difference! Even if your Representative cosponsored the LTA in the 112th Congress, he or she must do so again because bills and cosponsors do not carry over from one Congress to the next.

I contacted my fed rep last year, it was easy and I did receive a reply.  Going to do it again this year.  Hope you will too.  Thanks in advance!  ♥ 

georgie1112

Badger,

Thanks so much fr posting this!!! Will definitely contact my Representative.

surlytits

I am so glad to find this! I started a fitness class at school last week, and thought I could just jump back into fitness like I didn't have a care in the world. Like I didn't have chemo, a double mastectomy, 17 lymph nodes removed, and radiation this past year. I haven't had too many issues with my node less arm since surgery, our art least nothing I wasn't acclimated to. 

I woke up the other day,  after thinking I could do 45 minutes on the elliptical and lifting (light) weights, and push ups 3 days last week, to a painful, swollen arm! I'm still getting used to having this delicate limb, this healing body that tells me when I'm doing too much. And we'll not let me get away with the over work like I thrived on for years. Learning patience and compassion for my self is harder than expected! 

This information is invaluable, and came in so handy at a perfect time, thank you!

wyo

Just sent my letter over and I am NOT happy because I don't see my Rep in the list of the 92 co-sponsors for the bill- sad but hopefully as a woman she will read the bill and our request and sign on.

proudtospin

Micelle, great that you are back into your exercise but likely best to start slow.  I was working with a trainer and he started me with 1 # weights, upped me only when he measured me and no swelling so do be careful

badger

bump!

badger

bump!

Linda-n3

Bump for Jeannie!

badger

Hey Linda!

Bump for Jayaytea.

NatsFan

Bump for Cass!

NatsFan

Bump for teacher!

NatsFan

Bump for aab!

simplelife4real

bump

hugz4u

bump. Great info

badger

bumping this thread up into Active Topics - great info! ♥ 

glennie19

Bumping,, I need to get into exercise mode!!

Kate9675

always look at the qualifications of the trainer you want to hire.  We all have areas of specialization.  I work with aging adults, back fusions, health issues, lots of surgery pre-hab  & weight loss. Most of the women I run across have severe lymphodema and I refer to specialists.  Due to my own circumstances I am at risk and am making sure I work with the best.  After that I will find out who is certifying trainers in lymphodema  and will pick up that cert to help women in my area.

glennie19

Kate:  is there a database of lymphedema qualified exercise trainers?  Any suggestions on how to find one?

Thanks.

NatsFan

Bump - good info!

Cannoli1

I haven't read through this entire thread; but my doctor told me that some pain I am working through under my arm is lymphedema from my lymph node removal. I've been going to a physical therapist for about 6 weeks now...a regular physical therapist without much relief. Does anyone know if there is a significant difference between the treatment I get from a regular physical therapist compared to one that may specialize more in lymphedema?

 

 

proudtospin

yes, there can be a difference

 

NatsFan

Cannoli - yes, there can be a significant difference!  Check out the Lymphedema section here on BCO - there are a lot of knowledgable women posting there.  Also, the Step Up Speak Out website is a great resource for lymphedema information, and it includes a section discussing this issue.

Here's a link to the website: http://www.stepup-speakout.org/

And here's a link to info about finding a qualified lymphedema therapist and explains exactly the kind of treatment you should be receiving: http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualifie...

If you're not receiving the kind of treatment described there, then stop seeing that PT.  A PT who doesn't have special training with LE and does the wrong thing (or does the right things but in the wrong way) can make your LE worse.  Unfortunately, there is a lot of ignorance in the medical community about LE and the appropriate care for it, so we have to learn as much as we can and be our own advocates to make sure we get proper care for our LE.  Sad, but true. 

badger

bump for Olaf

glennie19

oooo, Badger,, you are getting sooooo close to 5000 miles!

badger

 thanks glennie!  92 bottles of beer on the wall.... oops I meant 92 miles!

glennie19

The distance from Key West, FL to Ft Kent Maine (Canada border) is 2446 miles.  You have walked to Canada and back again!  Am playing a mental game with my miles where I keep track of where I am on the coast.  Haven't made it to Miami yet, but I'll make it all the way one day.  One foot in front of the other.
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