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MiniMacsMom
MiniMacsMom Member Posts: 595
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

So last night my hubby tried wrapping my hand, but I woke up and took it off a few hours later since it was  uncomfortable.  I went back to sleep and my arm was normal this morning.  I put on my sleeve and glove, same ones I have been using.  That was around 7.  By 10 my fingers were swollen and my hand hurt really bad.  Normally doesn't hurt, it usually feels good to wear the glove.  So I took the glove and sleeve off and we did some MLD, its 11:30 now and my hand is back to normal size and it feels a ton better.   I have been having some tingling and numbness in my right side finger tips... When I asked the onc he said it wasn't neuropathy because it comes and goes.  Are they related, does having neuropathy conflict with LE.  I had my 4th weekly taxol on Monday.... Any advice welcome!

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

    It sounds like a couple of possibllities:

    1) I'm absolutely no expert on taxol neuropathy-- I think there's a long thread on it in the chemo section, but from what I hear, it can come on at any time--hands and feet usually

    2) the hand swelling and hurting with compression: it sounds like somehow compression trapped fluid in your hand. Good idea to take it off, especially if it came down with MLD

    Recently, I've been in touch with a LE therapy instructor--great PhD PT--and she says she often sees fluid retention during chemo.

    So, when you can, please let your onc know about the hand pain--and watch for any signs of infection, or increased swelling of the arm. 

    Women who know better about the neuropathy can weigh in, but I wouldn't think the wax/wane pain in the fingertips would rule out neuropathy--are you done with taxol now?

    Right now, I'd elevate, hydrate, deep breath and MLD and avoid the compression.

    If you have an LE therapist, a call to her after the holiday would be helpful. 

    Not the day for this, but, IMO, you did all the right things and now you just have to figure out what to do next.

    Kira

  • MiniMacsMom
    MiniMacsMom Member Posts: 595
    edited December 2011

    Thanks Kira,  will do!  I am on weekly taxol, so I have 8 more to go :(  Otherwise its not too bad.  I start acupuncture (not on the LE arm) in a 2 weeks. Thanks for responding, happy holidays!

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited December 2011

    mini - I had sudden onset swelling from Taxotere at the mid-point.  Do you have swelling and fluid retention anywhere else besides your LE arm?  I did have to go on a diuretic when this happened and continue until about 2 months PFC.

  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited December 2011

    I have no chemo experience but I am the rare bird who does not do well with wrapping or juxta fit really.

    I do really well with sleeves and gleves...I can go down a CM in just 20 minutes.

    Good luck!

  • Outfield
    Outfield Member Posts: 1,109
    edited December 2011

    MMM - I had neuropathy during Taxol that definitely waxed/waned but was very symmetrical side-to-side.  There was a pattern during the cycle - it was way worse at some points than others, but I don't remember when they were - and there was also variation from hour-to-hour.  The numbness didn't change, but the prickling did.  At its worst, it was a horrible prickliness that I experienced as itchy more than painful, kind of hard to describe.  It seemed like local factors made it worse, like getting my feet too warm.  I know I'm not alone in having experienced it this way because a friend going through treatment slighty after me had very similar problems.

    I hope you figure out the answer to the swelling.   

  • MiniMacsMom
    MiniMacsMom Member Posts: 595
    edited December 2011
    Thanks everyone.  I did lots of little bits of MLD throughout the day and tried to keep my arms raised.  It seems that as my swelling went down so did the tingling, if the swelling started so did the tingling.  I think I am in for a mini battle here :)  I have a little numbness on my left Non LE side, but not really even close to the LE side, though I wouldn't say that thats even really bad most of the time.  Its just my pinky and ring fingers, but the pinkies are the worst.  I don't seem to have problems in my feet though... Its weird.  I will definately keep the temp thing in mind, maybe start charting things. 
    Thanks again!

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