Can it be LE?

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RobinLK
RobinLK Member Posts: 840
edited April 2015 in Lymphedema

My finger has been swollen and stiff for a few weeks. My cording goes into the space between the pointer and middle finger. Could it be LE in just that spot? No redness, fever, tingling, burning...just stiff and swollen.

Which Dr should I contact? I just finished active treatments in January and have no idea who to contact for what.image

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  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
    edited April 2015

    Robin, when you look at your hand, do you see any signs of swelling, even subtle? As in, smoother, younger looking hands (I sound like an old soap commercial here); anatomical landmarks less visible? I think it is possible to have LE limited to just a finger, but I wonder if it's a bit more spread than that. Any member of your provider team can write a referral to a lymphedema therapist for evaluation, so ask the doc or surgeon that seems most likely to put aside preconceived notions about LE and send you to a qualified person to evaluate for it.

    If you haven't found stepup-speakout yet, here's a link to their page on finding a qualified therapist: http://stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lym...

    And in case you do sense you'll get some pushback, there's also a page on stepup-speakout that provides a printable handout to bring to your MD, written by an MD with lymphedema after BC treatment.

    Best wishes figuring this out!

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited April 2015

    Robin - not dismissing the possibility that it is LE, but another culprit could be hormonal therapy, if you are on any.  In addition to bi-lat LE I have also had bi-lat issues with multiple fingers and one thumb, toes, ankle and knee - all attributable to Femara and Arminidex, and all reversed with med changes, immobilization, cortisone injections, and time.  Hope you can figure this out asap.

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  • RobinLK
    RobinLK Member Posts: 840
    edited April 2015

    Dropped in on my LE therapist. Confirmed it is LE, but mild. Something to keep an eye on and make sure to wear gauntlet or glove when doing Zumba. Since it is mostly my finger involved, fitter said glove is better. So, I purchased a glove and remeasured to make sure my sleeve was still the correct size.

    Thank you for the quick responses!

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  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
    edited April 2015

    Robin, I'm glad you got a speedy evaluation by your LE therapist, and the glove is a great idea.

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