LE....in neck too

Hello Jennyboog,

I have lyphedema.  It has not gotten worst in the past year but it is good to go see a lymphedema specialist to keep the swelling in check with compression garmets, etc...Why do you feel it is in your neck?  Do you have pain or swelling there?  I suspect it is in my chest as I sometimes have heaviness there.  When I was taught how to do a lymph massage, I did have to massage a part of my neck to get the "flow" going, so I imagine it could back up there.  It seems the surgeons know very little about lymphedema.  The surgeon, oncologist and lymphedema specialist all usually had different ideas about what to lift, when to use my arm, etc....It could get worst if you do not see a specialist to at least have a consultation...

Jenny,

I think the key is to be proactive about it.  Do you have a sleeve and glove, and are you doing MLD.  I think it would help you immensely to schedule an appointment with an LE specialist as soon as possible.  Every once in a while, my wrist or arm will hurt, and I pop on my sleeve for a day or so and it's gone.

Best of luck to you.

Bobbie

Jenny, with your career you really can't afford to wait-and-see any longer. Any doctor on your team can give you a referral for a lymphedema evaluation, and the quicker you take care of it the easier it will be to manage on-going. Lymphedema is staged, just like breast cancer is, and without treatment it will progress.

It is possible to develop lymphedema in your neck, but that's really rare. At any rate you definitely want to get that checked out, and a well-trained lymphedema therapist is the the one to help you with it. Here's how to find one near you:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

Please feel welcome to drop by the "Lymphedema" discussion board here, as there are lots of gals there who can help answer questions.

Be well!
Binney

Jenny, what your PCM (not sure what tha stands for) told you about not going up the arm just wasn't true for me at all.  If you go over on the lypmedema board and reach much, it's pretty obvious not everybody has the same experience.  So it autmomatically makes me suspicious when I hear "lymphedema never" or "lymphedema always."

 Mine is very well controlled now and I am very active.  It's a pain in the butt, but compared to some fo the bad things that could happen to me this is one I can deal with and move on.

 I think if you have any inkling of concern you should get in to see a LE therapist.  It appears to make a huge difference in how quickly you address the prolblem if you have it.

Good luck.