Is hand icing during Chemo risky for lymphadema.

KMom57

I had my first chemo yesterday, taxotere and cytoxan, and iced my hands and feet to hopefully ward off neuropathy. But it occurred to me after that maybe it wasn’t a good idea due to my lymphadema risk from the ALND and the possibility the tightness that remains in my upper arm from surgery might be lymphadema. Does anyone know if icing is contraindicated with lymphadema risk? Too late for yesterday, but I have three more Infusion to go and wondering if I should risk it on those.

alissat

I had six rounds of TC & they iced my hands & feet each time. As far as whether causes/contributes to lymphoma, I can’t say. I do have cording but that didn’t develop until after radiation which was after chemo. I do know that I absolutely have had no neuropathy

Anonymous

I recommend you see a lymphedema therapist for your arm tightness.

I've had mild lymphedema since surgery. I did ice during Taxol and experienced a little neuropathy at the end of treatment. Fortunately it didn't last. Keep up the icing. It didn't affect my LE. Good luck with your remaining treatments.

KMom57

Thanks. My surgeon has put in a consult but I’m told they are backed up due to covid. Hope I can get in soon. It worries me. And is really restricting my shoulder movement.

Anonymous

Were you given exercises to do after your surgery? Below is similar to what I received. Even now I still need to stretch my shoulder.

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/treatm...

KMom57

No sadly I was not. Except the “crawl the wall.” I have not really had much contact with my surgeon at all. I did find some on the Internet and have been trying to loosen it up myself. I’ve made some progress but think it’s time for PT. Thank you for the link. I’ll add those to what I’m doing.

Anonymous

Hope you can see a PT soon, but adding new exercises gently will help until then. Shoulder flexibility is good especially if you need radiation treatments.

MinusTwo

KMom - it's my understanding that heat causes problems for LE. I hadn't heard that cold is a problem but there is a link below for a great LE site. Be sure your doc is referring you to a certified, trained LEPT. There's a big difference.

Since you're only one month out from surgery, I'd be careful about how much exercising you do w/o approval from your surgeon. There are lots of inside stitches still healing. I was only allowed 'walk the wall' for at least a month.

https://www.stepup-speakout.org/

to add - yes I iced both my hands & feet during chemo. I did not lose my nails (hooray), and maybe the neuropathy isn't as bad as it could have been.

Anonymous

I was given a set of exercises to start doing even with the drain still in place. My BS referred me to the hospital PT clinic to be measured before my mastectomy. They gave me the exercises to do. After my mastectomy, the hospital lymphedema clinic monitored my mobility. I had full range of motion back within 2-3 months.