Moving the fluid around

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hymil
hymil Member Posts: 826
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Since i have been wearing my sleeve, it seems like the swelling down my side which was mild before has got much worse - is this common? It seems like I am just pushing the fluid around from the arm to the chest wall and not getting it back into the circulation properly. Bra-strap cutting in much more, aching ribs, even my shoes feel tight. Any minute now i'm going to rip it all off and just wear a huge kaftan! Does this get better?

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  • Suzybelle
    Suzybelle Member Posts: 920
    edited February 2011

    Hymil, my side does that (I have truncal LE too) if I don't do proper MLD...and I have been a total slacker lately.  Thanks to lots of discomfort and dough-boyish arm and side, I got back on the wagon over the weekend and can already tell a difference.

     Have you been doing your MLD daily?

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  • hymil
    hymil Member Posts: 826
    edited February 2011

    Yes, Honest! but less exercise than usual (and hence less deep breathing) as i had a horrid snotty cold for two weeks now and didn't think my friends at the gym would want to share it, and i'm try to tip the remains of that out by lying different sides (postural drainage of chest gunk) so every now and then i'm lying LE-side down for a while. But thanks for the reply, Suzy, I am glad it's not just me. I'm seeing the LE lady tomorrow so will ask her about it. I know she will say my bra is too tight (sigh) and i will respond that her LE sleeve is too tight... I'm not sure I dare show her the Solidea wavy-sleeve i got myself, the low compression bilateral one that i get on with., that stays up without pulling my bra off... 

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  • Suzybelle
    Suzybelle Member Posts: 920
    edited February 2011

    Hymil, when I have a cold or some kind of infection my LE is AWFUL.  Stands to reason that an infection puts more stress on our already broke-down, injured lymphatic system.

    Hang in there and use the cold as an excuse to watch bad television and eat junk food. 

    But do be careful, because it seems like every time I get a really bad cold or virus, my LE arm wants to try and get cellulitis. 

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  • hymil
    hymil Member Posts: 826
    edited February 2011

    I'm using it as an excuse for all sorts of things, hehe! Today it was gateau and gossip Smile  

    (edit; that sounds glib and irresponsible, but still do feel not good really. Just had to talk to somebody!) 

    I did wonder if the whole sequence of draining your neck before you start on the chest and onto the arm was maybe not clever if the neck had major contributions to bring in. Perhaps I should do the neck last for a while. Yes i think my immune system is just run down, with winter and stress and whatnot. It's actally the first lay-out since i been back at work, seven months now, so not really surprising. So much to learn.

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

    Hymil, it still is better to clear the neck first--the theory is to clear proximal, so distal fluid has somewhere to go.

    My LE therapist has done a facial lymph drainage on me when I have sinus issues, and it's heavenly.

    A lousy cold rots, and you deserve treats and gossip.

    The MLD sequence is to clear the neck and trunk and then move the fluid to the nodes that are still functioning. 

    So sorry that you're sick and that your LE is flaring--I totally agree with Suzy (who wouldn't?) that LE flares when you're sick--it's tied to inflammation and immunity.

    Feel better--in every way.

    Kira--who watched "Pitbulls and Parolees" while I rode the exercise bike today--the things I learn...

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  • hymil
    hymil Member Posts: 826
    edited February 2011

    Thank you. I think i am also suffering from chocolate deficiency (who mentioned stress?) which, unlike the common cold, is eminently treatable. I have a plan of action!! Thank you!

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