Worried about possible LE, looking for feedback.

chicago-37

But sometimes the support of this forum is the best thing out there. Maybe 6 weeks back I noticed occasional sharp pains in my right arm where I had node removal (level-1/9 nodes where tested with my surgery {not sure if all were from same location or just in the tissue in general}). It wasn't bothersome, but an odd series occurred:

2 weeks ago I cleaned vigorously two showers and a stove that was filthy. Don't remember feeling sore the day or so after, but then.. 2~3 days after I nailed my right upper arm on a hanger in a restroom and bruised myself badly. I've had soreness in my right arm since.

Now I'm going on 2 weeks, the bruise is clearing up but I've noticed odd soreness in my shoulder blade, arm and occasionally upper forearm. The soreness is only when I move. When I'm at work doing things, I don't notice (and I type often as it's part of my job). When I walked (a little over 2 miles) to work this morning I noticed both my shoulders were extremely sore. As I sit at my desk I don't notice it. But now when I move my arms above my head, I notice it's a little more difficult to move my right arm.

The sharp pains come and go occasionally, but sometimes they are dull pains. They move around so I don't think it's something else (I dread recurrence), but I also don't notice any swelling or discomfort unless I start moving around.

My husband is worried about lymphedema, so he did MLD per the videos online and yes it feels good after a massage...but then a little after if I move around I'm still sore.

This is a bit unusual, but reading the stories of lymphedema on threads and other places it doesn't sound like this is what's happening; again I am clueless to this.

Any thoughts from those of you who have experienced LE? Does this soreness in my upper-arm / shoulder with movement sound like LE? I haven't had any swelling from LE (if you look at previous posts I had an insect bite that swelled 1 finger in the past but an antihistamine reversed it, and a bad sunburn that resolved) that I can tell (or that a certified therapist has been able to identify).

Just looking for feedback, as this is driving me nuts, and not sure if I should just let my body heal and perhaps I was just really out of shape (stopped during yoga during the summer as I walk often) and my muscles are just taking longer to recover? Or perhaps the bruise is still healing, or *eek* triggered something?

Thank you for your thoughts and feedback.

vlnrph

The soreness I experienced with the onset on LE two years ago was from wrist to armpit, roughly where the basilic vein runs. The discomfort I feel now is primarily in the trunk and axilla, a sort of dull "fullness" which is somewhat relieved by compression athletic shirts or shapewear. I go to warm water pool exercise classes 2 or 3 times a week which are also beneficial.

I can understand how heavy cleaning with repetitive motion might be a trigger along with contusion trauma. I did some yoga this spring/summer and found it helpful in terms of stretching & flexibility: perhaps careful resumption would assist in regaining your range of motion. A therapist's assessment is probably your best bet for planning a future course of action. It is difficult to be objective about one's own condition.

In the meantime, even if you don't have prior baseline measurements, it would be interesting to do some (bicep, just above the elbow, etc.) and compare.

chicago-37

I guess my concern is I have full range of motion. My shoulder and upper arm "feel" difficult to move like they are sore. Even after MLD, it feels like it is harder to use than my left arm. I have training next week, so I will be out of town for a week. I will make an appointment when I get back.

I know I don't have a dull 'fullness', there isn't any pain or soreness when I'm not moving. If I'm standing up, or sitting there's nothing noticeable. It's only wen I do things like grab a glass of water or go to pick something up that I notice the feeling.

I am mainly worried that it was something happening in the bone, but my husband had me try to keep my arms raised while he pushes down and there isn't any weakness on my right side; I just feel like it's more difficult to resist than on my left.