Hand Swollen After First Treatment

fd1

I just removed my bandages after my first treatment for lymphedema and my hand is enormous!!! I am going for my second treatment but this can't be good?? Has this happened to anybody? The arm seems slightly better.

amanda6

were your fingers wrapped? Mine weren't for my first wrapping & they swelled...I was able to get them down with self massage on my hands. After that she wrapped my fingers & it never happened again. Take care & good luck!

fd1

Thanks for your reply! Yes, my fingers were wrapped. My whole hand is crazy swollen too, worse than it has ever been. My arm is much better but there is no point if I am trading one problem for another. Plus, I need my hand more than my arm. The therapist has tried adjusting the bandaging but was baffled. It's not his skill level. He's the best in the area. I feel so defeated.

amanda6

Oh how frustrating! My thought would be that the fluid flowed downward into your hand instead of upward toward your shoulder because the wrapping was too tight on the upper arm?? Of course, I'm hardly an expert! Do you know how to do some self massage - that can really help... best wishes!

Anonymous

My first symptom was swelling in some fingers. I've never been wrapped with bandages, and I always felt better after treatment. I was fitted for compression sleeves and gloves. Now I no longer need to use the gloves. I was treated at MUHC. Looks like they offer LE service to all cancer patients in QC. Perhaps you can try a different therapist?

https://muhc.ca/cancer/page/lymphedema-support-centre-breast-cancer-foundation-quebec

BlueGirlRedState

I use compression sleeve and glove. When it seemed to be getting worse, mentioned that I was using compression garments that were a little worn out, especially the hand, so had used one very old glove on top of another old glove. The therapist suggested I not do that, and just use single new garment. So I do. Frustrating since they are somethat expensive and gloves wear out fast. There are some good self massage videos out there. This is one of the ones I like From the India Lymohedema Foundation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sS_WzAdfcSk&feature=youtu.be

buttonsmachine

fd1, I'm sorry that happened to you - how frustrating! When I get wrapped they do wrap my fingers first, probably more tightly than my arm, but not too tight so they are purple or uncomfortable. This is to maintain the "graduated" aspect of compression. I hope you get some relief soon!