Yoga anyone?

I too have joined a restorative yoga class at the local wig bank. It is sponsored by the cancer center at the hospital and led by the cancer coordinator. I love going to it every week. it has helped me learn to relax and sleep better. I am trying to get my son to go to help him get back into normal sleep patterns after 4 yrs in the Navy.

Sheila

I have taken a restorative yoga class at the local cancer center (thankfully open and free of charge to all even if not treated at that center)  Trying to find other  classes to take- would love to take every day if I could.  Problem finding any one who offers class in restorative.  Any ideas? anyone know of tapes or cds, I'd do at home if possible

Elaine 

Thanks Stacey, I'll check it out.

Elaine 

I've been doing Kundalini yoga weekly most weekends, and would like to increase my practice. It really does help, and I'll try the iTunes to see if there is something that may work for me in between. Thanks for the tip.

Terri 

I had some lymphedema when I lifted too much weight on a day when I was feeling good. Massage helped it, although I'm going to see a physical therapist who is a specialist this week to get more info. I'm guessing you may have been putting too much weight on the area. It has taken me months to get to the point I can do sun salutations, and I still modify a bit. I hope to start weight training soon so I can gradually handle more activity. I want to be able to garden this spring! I'll have to start out with two pound weights, I've lost so much strength. 

I'm 13 weeks into chemo and have another fourteen weeks or so until I do radiation, so I'm not as far along. I'll let you know if I learn anything interesting tomorrow from the PT.

Hi, laureg,

Sad fact is, our surgeons and oncs often aren't up-to-date on lymphedema, and their original med school training in the subject was sketchy at best. Because it is not treated with either drugs or surgery they sometimes fail to understand the significance of early treatment.

Before lymphedema swelling becomes visible or measurable, there is already about 30 percent more lymph fluid stagnating in the tissues than should normally be there. So once you develop symptoms, the condition is already present. The quicker you get treatment for it, the easier it is to manage and the better the outcome.

Here's the reason: like breast cancer, lymphedema is staged, and it will progress unless it's treated. Progression does not necessarily mean more swelling, but it does mean more (and permanent) damage to the tissues inside. Stagnant lymph fluid is protein rich and encourages the development of both fibrosis (hardening of the tissues) and permanent fat deposition under the skin. The fibrosis leads to further lymph blockage and eventually to reduction in arm and shoulder strength and range of motion. It's a slow progression, but it's real. Treatment involves moving the stagnant fluid out of the tissues and encouraging remaining lymph vessels to redirect the fluid back into the center of the body and into circulation.

Lymphedema treatment begins with an evaluation by a well-trained lymphedema therapist (that's a PT, OT or MT with at least 135 hours of specifically lymphedema training beyond her/his PT, OT, or MT certification). These are the professionals trained to evaluate, diagnose, and treat lymphedema. It's important to find one who's been well-trained and has some experience, so here are two websites for finding one near you:

www.mylymphedema.com  (Click on the Therapist Locator and follow all the links)

www.clt-lana.org

You're right that radiation (and breast surgery as well) can contribute to lymphedema risk, but so can overdoing the exercise. Though exercise itself promotes lymph flow, stressing or straining your arm causes your body to send extra lymph fluid to the site and can overwhelm an already-compromised lymph system. Until you can get in to see a lymphedema therapist, do back off on those yoga positions that involve weight bearing on that arm. Once the lymphedema is under control you can experiment with which exercises help and which cause you further problems.

The National Lymphedema Network has position papers on Risk Reduction and on Exercise here:

www.lymphnet.org

And there's a website about lymphedema for women (and men) who have had breast cancer, here:

www.stepup-speakout.org

There's also a discussion board on this site called "Lymphedema after Surgery" where there are plenty of caring women to answer any questions you might have.

Please do insist on a prompt referral for evaluation, and stay on top of this and in control. It will make a HUGE difference to your continued quality of life.

Be well!
Binney

There seems to be different types of yoga. How do you know which one to pick? I would like to try it, too! 

Carol, that warm-room yoga is "hot yoga".  I'd say talk to your doctor before doing it.  The warmth is nice, and it's quiet and warm, and you sweat up a pool of water (people are almost splashing in their own puddles), and it should be clean. It can be wicked hot (picture exercising on a HOT HOT summers day...and think is that the best thing to do?  Maybe when you're better?