Infrared sauna/lamps after ALND

Lucy2014

Hi

I may have read all or near all messages related to sauna, infrared, NIR, in the forum.

It seems that many forumers who had ALND are using (IR) sauna without concern, risk or developing lymphedema. I don't know also if the users are putting the whole body in the heat

We are warned to avoid heat and sauna, yet many forumers are going.

For those who have ALND, did you get afraid before trying?

Talking about cause and effect, the IF allows capillaries to expand, but what does happen to the lymphatic system affected by ALND under extreme heat? is it relieved or under stress? I have no idea of the mechanism once the capillaries have expanded due to IF hear in 'our' case. Is the excess water absorbed by the sweat glands?

In other words, in this forum I read they are lots of (IF?) sauna users but in the online litterature I may read may be 1% of pro IR therapy with lymphedema only and litterature on pro is old. Therefore it is difficult to believe that there's so many users with ALND.

If some 'users' could explain the mechanism as to why is it beneficial and not harmful after ALND

Lots of Love and light

Heidihill

You are right, that there should be a caveat after ALND. Ask your doctor as every case is different.

I did not try heat interventions (saunas, steam baths, hot springs and heated pools) until I had some reason to believe my lymphatic system could take it, that is, after months of doing progressive resistance training. My doctor was on board with the strength training and I assumed he would be ok with heat.  I keep my affected arm out of the water if I feel it's too hot. Or in a steam bath, I douse my arm with cool water. I have done manual lymph drainage prophylactically with a therapist after working out and have done MLD on my own when I had flares, usually only lasting an hour or two. I have never had a flare as a result of heat though. But again everyone is different.

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/essential%20informat%20for%20healthcare%20providers.htm

ruthbru

I stay away from them. My thought is why ask for something that might cause trouble? (I'm hot enough already, getting hotter does not appeal to me anyway .)

Lucy2014

Hi Heidi

Thank you very much for the reply, that is teaching me a lot.

I have used my fit massager post surgery with consent of the nurses, and used the very low 'speed', sat on the machine, but it moved my (ALND) wound and I have now some fluid. I am now resting and see. The link you gave me say it is not a good sign for LE. Therefore you're right, slow progression.

Can you tell me if you use IR?

Lots of Love

Heidihill

I hope you can see a doctor for your wound as soon as possible. It's better to get LE, if that's what it is, under control early. In the meantime keep your arm elevated and pump your fists to get the lymph moving. Don't use the massager. Manual lymph drainage is something very different.

 I've used IR a couple of times in a wellness resort. In any case I never stay more than 20 minutes, sometimes only 5, in a high-heat environment and I have no heart issues. Local heating is much better in this sense as it's a slow progression. You should have medical supervision for whole-body heating if you want it for cancer therapy and not just for wellness.

Lucy2014

thank you Heidi for the advice.

Lots of Love