Lymphedema Questions! TIA!

No lifting restrictions except listen to your body.  If you allow your arms to weaken you actually increase your risk of LE.  On the other hand, you need to know what to watch out for so you can stop if something is causing you a problem.  Have you seen a certified LE therapist?  Thats where you should get some advice.  And if you are wearing a sleeve that hasn't been fitted by such a person you could be doing more harm than good.

What is zumba? 

Zumba is da best!

a workout thru dance..........

I am a certified lymphedema therapist and newly dx.  I totally agree with member of the club.  Let your limb be your guide. 

What is "overdo"  Life happens, if the architecture of the limb is compromised because of SNB or ALND or radiation, lymphedema may occur without warning.  By the way, if swelling occurs in the limb, that means that swelling began proximally before it reached the arm.  You don't even realize that it occurs.  Yes, you can limit your activity, but lymphedema may be inevitable. Research shows that two significant associated factors, both potentially controllable, are identified, weight gain and infection. Kane 744, I agree people need to be educated.  I lecture to practicing physicians.  They are not trained in this sequelae of breast cancer treatment.  Teaching to the community is what I focus on, especially on empowering people on how to manage if swelling occur, (prophylactic nighttime short stretch compression bandaging based on how the limb feels).  This many times allows for empowerment, control and containment in  a least bothersome but most effective way .  Because everyone's surgery is different, there is very little consistency on what exacerbates lymphedema.  Yes we need more LE therapists.  The next available opening for me to see a new patient is in January 2011.  The training is very scarce and there are companies preying on "lymphedema" scare to inadequately train therapists. In addition, there are reimbursement issures for healthcare providers, thus limiting offering this service.Please make sure that any LE therapist you seek advice from meets the following criteria:  http://lymphnet.org/pdfDocs/nlntraining.pdf 

I just went to see my PT for the first time yesterday and we talked about flying since I will be leaving for vacation on Tuesday. She said that it is important to wear a glove as well as the sleeve because, if your hand swells, the sleeve would need to come off, raising your risk for swelling in the arm. She also recommended wearing the sleeve for strenuous tasks. You may want to consider this for preventative measures. (Wish I had known that before!)

Hope this helps and best of luck!

One love, Jackie

Lymphetherapist:  I somewhat agree about your "overdo" theory.  However, if we are at all in tune with our bodies, we should know our limits.  For example, I jumped horses for years (I mean, I jumped over fences with horses).  There came a time in my life when I knew I was getting a bit long in the tooth for that sport, but didn't listen to my inner self, had a bad fall, eventually requiring surgery.  I wasn't too old to jump; I was too old to fall.  I knew that, but it was such a thrill!!  On the other hand, life DOES happen and sometimes le is part of that, I guess.  When I was diagnosed three months ago, I was confused because I had done exactly what my doctors told me to do or not to do.  Basically, they told me not to worry about it.  They didn't know and I felt like I was paying the price.  That's why I am so utterly grateful for people like you who can help us learn how to self manage.  I'm still learning all the time.  With this latest flare, I KNEW I should have wrapped because I overdid it, but was too tired and lazy.  A lesson learned the hard way.  My body requires me to do my le exercises and MLD twice a day and to wrap when I feel boggy.  I will listen.  Hopefully.

Question for lymphtherapist, I have arthritis in my thumb on affected side, bc  side no lymphodema yet, Ortho doc says I could get cortizone shot, what risk  is there, scared to get shot. Salty

Long time since I've checked in but thought I'd shout out a "Hi."  Hope you're hanging in there.

Gosh, much has happened since last post.   Strange, indeed, this lymphedema situation!  It's relatively under control at this point.  I say "relatively" as my carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis are terribly bothered by the compression garments.  So, I've not worn them for a couple of weeks.  Awaiting an appointment with a doctor who can hopefully sort all this out.  Also, my lymphedema therapist has been out of town since the end of November so I'll eventually track her down. 

In the mean time, I'm taking some leftover Gabapentin prescribed for the brachial plexus nerve injured in radiation and think that's helping some.  Having a time with asthma, originally triggered by a cigar smoker in October on a cruise.  Also having leg cramps during the night and wonder if Arimidex gets credit for that.  I swear, I sometimes feel like one broken down old hag.

That said, I'm looking forward to bidding adieu to 2010 and having a better year.  Best to all -

- Brenda