Advice/info/ help needed

Trish, I think the best thing would be to be evaluated by a qualified lymphedema therapist--I have LE in my hand, and when it came on, the hand was sore.

The only things you do not want to miss are--1)cellulitis=skin infection, so if you feel flu like, your skin is red, call your doctor immediately and 2) a blood clot in the arm--many doctors will check for it for new swelling

You will need to see a doctor to get a referral to a lymphedema therapist--so please see whichever doctor is easiest to access and seems receptive to lymphedema

here is a link to how to find a qualified therapist:

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

Here's info on what to do while waiting for the evaluation:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/How_You_Can_Cope_with_Lymphedema.htm#while%20waitingWhat to do While Waiting for Your First Appointment with a Qualified Lymphedema Therapist

DO NOT try and treat this yourself!!! Proper professional treatment is essential to getting control of lymphedema and preventing its progression. Treatment can be expensive and inconvenient, but this condition is life long, potentially disfiguring, disabling and possibly life-threatening (if you get an infection known as cellulitis) so professional evaluation and treatment as soon as possible is essential.

1) Get evaluated promptly by your doctor to rule out other causes for the swelling in your hand/arm, and get a referral to see a well-trained lymphedema therapist;

2) Drink plenty of fluids -- staying well hydrated helps dilute lymph fluid and keep it moving freely

;
3) Elevate the swollen arm or hand as much as possible during the day and on pillows at night; support the arm well so that it doesn't tire;

4) Several times a day pause and do some deep breathing -- this helps stimulate the largest lymph vessels in your body;

5) Raise hands over head as high as is comfortable for you, three times a day, and pump fists 20 times;

6) Call for medical help immediately if you have severe pain, redness, fever or feel ill;

7) You can try mild compression gloves by either Sammons Preston or Isotoner® Fingerless Therapeutic Gloves if your hands and/or fingers are swollen until your appointment with your lymphedema therapist. Be sure to bring them along to your appointment;

8) Do NOT use ACE wraps or any other wraps without the advice of your lymphedema therapist after your evaluation and your treatment plan is scheduled.

Hope this helps and please let us know how you're doing

Kira 

Trish, women report aching, fullness and I found in my hand, it hurt to grasp things. Symptoms are very important, and some researchers put more stock in them than measurements

Kira 

Trish, Lymphedema can definitely flare and spontaneously resolve--this is called Stage 1 lymphedema, there is also a latent stage--stage 0, where there is no swelling, but the drainage is abnormal, then there's stage 2 where things become irreversible.

You want to catch it early, as lymphedema is a disease of inflammation and if you catch it early, you can halt the progression.

Here's a brief lymphnotes article on the stages:

http://www.lymphnotes.com/article.php/id/474/

A much longer position paper on them:

http://www.avonfoundation.org/programs-and-events/lymphedema-information.html

The National Lymphedema Network is advocating early treatment and diagnosis:

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

On stepupspeakout, Mei Fu describes the symptoms of lymphedema:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/What_%20is%20_Lymphedema.htmWHAT IS LYMPHEDEMA?

LYMPHEDEMA (LIMF-eh-DEE-ma) following breast cancer treatment is an abnormal accumulation of lymph fluid in the affected arm, hand, fingers, wrist, elbow, shoulder, neck, breast, chest area, or any combination of these areas. The word "affected" means the same body side on which you received breast surgery or radiation. The excess fluid build-up leads to persistent swelling and other distressing symptoms, including pain, heaviness, firmness, tightness, and numbness.
Lymphedema usually develops slowly over time but it can also develop soon after surgery or radiation or even years later after breast cancer treatment. Not everyone who has been treated for breast cancer will develop lymphedema, but many will.

During surgery for breast cancer, the doctor usually removes part or the whole breast and at least one of the lymph nodes and some connected lymph vessels from the underarm or chest area to see if the cancer has spread. This changes the flow of lymph fluid in your affected body side and leads to the excess fluid build-up. Radiation can also affect the flow of lymph fluid in your affected body side in a similar way.

Please call your doctor if you notice the following symptoms as they may indicate an early onset of lymphedema:

Your affected arm, hand, or breast feels full or heavy.
Skin in your affected arm or body side feels tight or firm.
Swelling in the affected body side (including breast, hand, fingers, elbow, shoulder, neck, breast, or chest area).
Less movement or flexibility in your affected hand, fingers, wrist or arm.

ONSET OF LYMPHEDEMA

Onset of lymphedema following breast cancer treatment can be gradual or sudden. It is still not fully understood why some patients are more prone to fluid build-up than others even with similarity in surgical treatment, numbers of lymph nodes removed, and radiotherapy. Noticeable swelling is often absent during the initial development of lymphedema, but patients may report feelings of tightness and heaviness. With gradual onset, lymphedema typically occurs two to five years after treatment, but it can also happen as many as 15 to 30 years later.

With sudden onset, swelling develops rapidly, usually within 24 hours and often individuals are able to identify the triggers, such as air travel, infection, or injuries (e.g., cuts, insect bites, pinpricks, burns). Usually, immediate administration of antibiotics can clear the infection, while elevation of the limb helps to reduce the swelling. To reduce the risk of injury-triggered lymphedema, it is important to treat cuts, insect bites, pinpricks, or burns immediately with antibiotic cream to prevent infections.

It is also important to follow appropriate risk reduction behaviors.

Way too much information, right?

Kira

Binney--

But yours is so much easier to read.

Kira