Acupuncture question

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kmf
kmf Member Posts: 79
edited June 2014 in Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment

My rad/onc says it's ok to do acupuncture but I forgot to ask about the needles in the arm the lymph node was removed from.  Is it ok to have needles there?  I have no signs of lymphedema, only one node removed, but everyone insists  that my blood pressure and any blood work be done from the other arm.  I know nothing about acupuncture but some girl friends gave me a gift certificate for it and I want to try it. Thanks.  Karenanne

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  • ktym
    ktym Member Posts: 2,637
    edited January 2010

    kmf, not sure.  I did get lymphedema and we don't put needles in that arm.  Not sure the answer for if you don't have it.  How important is it to have needles put in that arm?  Mine have all been back legs feet.

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  • LiniWD
    LiniWD Member Posts: 209
    edited January 2010

    I just tell the accupuncturist not to put needles in that arm - no need to take chances.  She was aware of it as well and it doesn't affect how the accupuncture works.

    Lynn from Tampa 

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  • SallyZap
    SallyZap Member Posts: 4
    edited January 2010

    I have accupuncture and I have had needles put in the hand (not arm ) on my left where the one lymph node was removed and there has been no problem.  I have had accupuncture before and after surgery and chemo ( I have had one chemo session).  I swear by it.  I had full range of motion in my left arm quite quickly after surgery because of accupuncture.  I had very little side effects from the lst chemo and my lst blood test was very good.   I am also taking herbs in pill form that work on the bone marrow. I will be continuing accupuncture throughout chemo and radiation.  I am 61, diagnosed on 12/03/10, TN, Apocren (1 in 1000 have this) invasive. Stage 1, Grade1.  I am taking 4 sessions of TC chemo.

    Hope this helps.

    Sally from San Francisco

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  • kmf
    kmf Member Posts: 79
    edited January 2010

    What are you all using the acupuncture for?  General energy and well being or something more specific?  The only SE I'm having from radiation so far is my skin is getting red.  I'm on Tamoxifen and have a few warm flashes once in a while.  I am exercising and my knees hurt, not too surprising, so I figure that may be what I want to concentrate on.  Thanks for the advice.  Karenanne

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  • SallyZap
    SallyZap Member Posts: 4
    edited January 2010

    I use accupunture to insure that the side effects are minimal and keep my general health up along with exercise and good eating habits.  My accupuncturist taylors the treatment to whatever I am doing at the time, i.e. get arm movement back after surgery.  Chemo is so different than radiation and everyone reacts differently.  I will use accupuncture during radiation to control the fatigue that is guaranteed to come with it.

     Yes accupuncture is great for knee pain!

     Sally

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  • beaglesmom
    beaglesmom Member Posts: 64
    edited February 2010

    I swear by accupuncture! It helps with general fatigue and also stress reduction.  My accupuncturist has treated alot of bc patients so is very familiar with how is can help us all.  After my DIEP surgery, it definitely helped with getting some of the movement back in the arm and alleviate some of the tightness in my pectoral muscle.  Before I was diagnosed with bc, I would go monthly due to fibromyalgia and was afraid I would have to stop, but happy I didn't have to.

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