I'm pretty sure this isn't LE....questions

Options
pejkug3
pejkug3 Member Posts: 902
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

I have pain/numbness/tingling in my BC arm.  No swelling that I can notice.

I never had a port but I had TCH x 6 in the opposite are.  The Herceptin only x 6 has been in the arm that bothering me.

Is this the start of LE?  I'm thinking no due to lack of swelling.

Neuropathy, right?  The chemo nurse mentioned it to my onc last weke when I had Herceptin and he said it was cumulative effect of surgery, chemo and rads. 

I finished chemo 6/9 and finished rads 8/12.  Surgery was 1/27.  I had NO problems at all until about 3 weeks ago.  Yesterday and today have been pretty uncomfortable.  When I stretch my arm out to reach something, I feel a tight pull right on the outside edge of my elbow.

Dr. Google says it could be a pinched ulnar nerve.  My hand bothers me the most.  Tight feeling and pins and needles.  No range of motion problems.  Just a generalized achy feeling.

So far, I feel like no one is taking me seriously when I mention it at appts.  I get the, "Yeah sometimes that happens after surgery..."

But surgery was 8 months ago and this is a new thing for me!

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • geewhiz
    geewhiz Member Posts: 1,439
    edited September 2011

    I have that too...

    No swelling, but numbness and tingling in my "bad" side. Onc shrugs his shoulders. I have been told it's easily early lymphedema and best treated early...

    It does feel like bone pain, otherwise Id get a scan to ease my mind.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited September 2011

    pejkug, it sounds like it could be a number of things

    1) Cording--it's thrombosed lymphatics, and it feels like a tight wire down the arm

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

    2) Pre-clinical lymphedema can be an aching or heaviness in the arm--often with no swelling yet

    3) Pinched ulnar nerve--it's the "funny bone" and can cause numbness in the pinkie.

    If you have any questions about possible lymphedema, best to get a referral to a qualified lymphedema therapist

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

    You are at risk, we all are, with lymph nodes removed.

    You only finished rads a few weeks ago, and often there is "tightening" through the axilla, and that can lead to nerve issues.

    Good luck. Let us know how you're doing.

    Kira 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2011

    pejkug - dragonfly started having hand numbness (both hands) while she was sleeping, beginning part of the way through rads.  I believe they think it is neuropathy which came on late in the game, well after chemo.  My mild LE started well after surgery, but in the middle of chemo, exacerbated by Taxotere.  I ended up with cording and axillary web, it dissipated about 8-10 weeks after chemo ended, but I had to fight for PT (certified LE) visits and that has made a world of difference.  I just had the sleeve fitting on Monday.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pejkug3
    pejkug3 Member Posts: 902
    edited September 2011
    Thanks ladies.  It's feeling a little better today.  Actually a LOT better. 

    I'll check out the links that were posted.  I live in a primarily rural area so finding doctors who would specialize in LE could be a challenge.

    I really have no swelling.  I've been able to wear my wedding ring for the first time in YEARS.  All that weightloss during chemo was good for something.  ;)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories