Caling all sister's, Pain in arm, need advice please!!!!

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faithfulheart
faithfulheart Member Posts: 544
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Hi ladies,

here's the deal, I had a bmx last nov.09, recon, 6months chemo, an ooph and rads!

I am now on Tomaxifen. My arm was swollen from the get go never really went away after surgery.

I started pt  early on during, chemo and rads. My swelling has gone up and down.

Now as of recent, the swelling has been down, it was mostly in upper arm. I don;t know what I did

but, I am in sooooo much pain mostly in lower arm and rist. I am really week in the arm as well.

I will add I have two small kids, one I still pickup,  and I get busy and do lift things I should not.

What do you think  the pain  could be, did I injure it, is it in my bones!  The funny thing is I have a bone scan tommorow,  I was having joint pain in my leg, the docs not real worried , but we all want peace of mind. My leg is feeling like the least of my worries right now. I took percecet for pain today, see bs on thursday. Any advice or imput would be so great, I am already so nervous about the bone scan, and now  I have this horriable pain in my arm, I did have lots of nodes out as you can see, not the greatest dx. I did give my son a b-day party last week and went down this huge slide no sleeve on, stupid I know, but maybe I landed on it and don't remmeber. I use my sleeve everyday, I have for along time now. I am wearing the glove for more support the last few days, I dont no if its much help or not . I feel scared, has anyone had this happen to them?

Thank you sister's for letting me go on and on, I;m freaking out a bit in general. Trying to trust God and praying for peace, what else can we do right?  Maybe eat lots of chocolote!

blessings, Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

stephanie

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Comments

  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited February 2011

    I have very mild lymphedema in my left arm.  It swells when I do too much or sometimes I can't figure out what caused it.  Most recently I was working for 3 - 4 hours non-stop, loving every minute of the hard work.  However, I woke up the next day with a lot of pain in my arm and it was a little more swollen than usual.  Several months ago I went to a lymphedema specialist and she showed me some small movements that help the lymphatic fluid go where it should and it does help. 

    1. Gently rub (no pressure needed) from your neck under your chin in a downward motion 10 - 15 times

    2. do the same thing on the inside of your upper arm (elbow to shoulder)

    3. again on your lower arm (wrist to elbow)

    Repeat this motion several times.

    The reason you start from the neck is to get what is there moving, kind of like gently pulling out a knot. 

    I would also let the doctor know what you're experiencing because you may need more attention.

    Good luck and I hope you feel better.

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  • thefuzzylemon
    thefuzzylemon Member Posts: 2,630
    edited February 2011

    Hello -

    I am so sorry that you are suffering so badly.  I will offer information and I hope that any of it might be useful for you ... breathe with "4 Count" (breathe in, hold, out - four counts each for a few minutes) and try to release tension.frustration/anger.  If you do this with some of the physical techniques, it may amplify your efforts and prove more effective ...

    I hope that helps you ... I'm sure it may be the last thing you wanted to hear ... but it was all that I had right now ...

    Hugs and a Smile.

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

    Stephanie, I'm so sorry for your pain, and I can just taste your panic.Frown Do try not to live your nightmares -- they're much too hard to deal with, and likely will never materialize. So glad your scan is tomorrow so you'll have answers soon. The waiting really rots.

    Since the pain is new, please do report it quickly to your doctor. Besides what you're fearing, there are other possibilities (blood clot, infection) that do need prompt attention.  

    I'm wondering, since you've had swelling all along, if you've ever had a Therapy Intensive (daily massage and wrapping) to get it under control? If not, that'd be the place to start. Any PT can "treat" lymphedema, but unless they've had special lymphedema training, they can do as much harm as good. Here's information about how to find a well-qualified lymphedema therapist near you:
    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

    Please keep us posted. Know we sure do understand, and we're here for you.

    Hugs and prayers,
    Binney

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