The XBOX and Lymphedema

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SallyEvian
SallyEvian Member Posts: 21
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

We bought the new XBOX "360 Kinect". It is great fun and a super workout - and, of course, the 3-D motion capture with facial and voice recognition is really awesome! But...I had so much fun (bowling, soccer, tennis, track and field, boxing, etc.) that after just a few play sessions all of my muscles (everywhere) became very sore and MY ARM IS NOW TWICE THE SIZE IT SHOULD BE (and seems to be getting worse since I last played four days ago).

My surgery was in April 2010. I am a very active person, and my job as a camera operator requires a great deal of physical activity, but lymphedema was never a problem until I had too much fun bouncing around in front of a big flatscreen.  I think it may have been the "boxing" (and my uber-competitive opponent) that did me in.

So, heads-up ladies!  Stretch out before playing, wear a compression sleeve while playing, and rest with your arm elevated after playing.  (I assume the same may apply to the "Wi.") I didn't do any of these things, and I'm paying for it.

Live and learn. I'm taking a break for now hoping the lymphedema will get better, because it's really a bummer - I can barely make a fist my hand is so swollen, but I'm not giving up on the Kinect.  It has already really improved the tightness in my shoulder and underarm from radiation therapy, and I think it is otherwise an excellent way to exercise - they even have an interactive fitness program with yoga and martial arts (the motion sensor allows the virtual fitness instructor to give you feedback about your body position and technique).  

  

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited January 2011

    Sally, do you have a good LE therapist?'

    Thanks for the heads up--with all this press about how weight lifting will either cure us or prevent LE (neither is true) it really helps to hear the reality.

    I hope it settles down soon, and that you have a LE therapist who can help you settle it down.

    Kira

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

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  • SallyEvian
    SallyEvian Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2011

    Kira:

    I do not.  I was never advised that it was necessary to see a therapist. (I also have pretty shitty health insurance). I've seen a couple of physical therapists, and I've done the exercises they advised me to preform, but my radiologist said she didn't think I'd get it (lymphedema) and left it with that. I just assumed there was nothing you could do if you got it besides the light exercises, elevation, and compression. 

    I'm assuming "LE" stands for lymphedema?  I keep seeing everyone use that, but I'm not very hip to all the abbreviations and paraphrasing on here.  Every time I enter a new topic of discussion I feel like I need a new dictionary, ha ha!

    Thanks for the link! I'll talk to my doctor. 

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited January 2011

    Sally, ignorance (among medical providers and others) is rampant when it comes to lymphedema (LE)

    here are links to the National Lymphedema Network postion papers on therapy: Treatment is one paper on the page

    http://www.lymphnet.org/lymphedemaFAQs/positionPapers.htm

    And to more on the subject on our web site:

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/treatments_for_lymphedema.htm

    There are many possible parts of treatment, and not all patients need them: wrapping until the swellling is reduced, getting compression garments for day time use, learning to wrap or getting night time garments to reduce swelling while you sleep, therapeutic exercises, manual lymph drainage (massage)-both by therapist and to do at home. 

    The key is to get a good therapist: both well trained and responsive, and get it under control early.

    Hope your doctor gets you a referral, and check out the qualifications of any therapist you are referred to--even interview them--quality varies.

    Let us know how you're doing.

    Kira

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited January 2011

    Sally, there's good help available, but it can be a process trying to link up with the right person. Keep at it and get the help you need and deserve! I hear you on the health insurance, but lymphedema is included on the 1998 Womens Health and Cancer Rights Act. You may have to appeal (I did!) but do it! If we can help let us know!

    Gentle hugs,
    Binney

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