First time dealing with lymphedema

tamkay123

I had BMX 3 years ago with my anxillary lymph nodes removed. I have not had any problems with lymphedema until just recently. I noticed my left hand was slightly swollen. I called my breast surgeon and got a referral to the local hospital's PT department. This is not where I went for my cancer treatment as I live in a small town 1-1/2 hours away.

My visits to PT have consisted of wearing a jacket type apparatus that inflates and deflates for 30 min, massage and then wrapping my arm. The issue I'm seeing is that when they wrap my arm the swelling actually worsens. I'm not seeing swelling in my arm. I've expressed concern to them and they wrapped further down the next time.

I'm not really sure what I should be expecting from the treatment. I don't have a lot of faith in the local hospital so perhaps that is clouding my view of their current treatment. They took measurements at my first 2 visits but nothing for the last 5 or more.

vlnrph

So they are not wrapping the hand? My therapist put me in an Isotoner glove with the seams to the outside.

I now have a FlexiTouch machine which has vest and thigh pieces but that was never used during an office visit, only the light manual massage which I would call standard of care...

Look at the stepup-speakout website for a ton of useful information. You may even want to print some of their suggestions and bring them to that PT (who is probably not certified in LE treatment!)

blah333

I remember overnight after my surgery they put things on my legs that deflate and inflate. I have mild truncal swelling, kind of between my armpit and my shoulderblade, a little squishy area forms. I would love to just be able to wear a vest that puffs in and out 30 min a day vs. try to learn lymphatic massage. I went to one appt but forgot most of it and need to relearn how to do it again, I was hoping I would just get to go to someone who will do the massaging for me, ha.

Parrynd1

Massaging my arm down to my hand helps a lot and let’s me really get in there to work and move the fluid along. Only downside is my good hand gets tired