Early signs of Lymphedema

Jenlee, I'm trying to think of a site that has the early signs in one place--they are heaviness, tightness, swelling, achiness,warmth tingling, numbness.

I saw a great list, and now I can't remember where I saw it.

I recently re-read the transcript of a podcast by Andrea Cheville on LE on the LBBC site, and she discussed it

http://www.lbbc.org/Event-Archive/2009-02-20-Lymphedema

We placed the most emphasis on lymphedema
in the arm because that's the most common site
of lymphedema. It's the most challenging area for
the body to drain lymph from, since it's quite far
from the trunk and the lymph node beds. We're
learning more and more that lymphedema ofthe
breast is not at all uncommon. Lymphedema of
the area under the armpit, the axilla, is a common
The lymphatics in the armpit are
compromised through surgery and radiation, which
makes it challenging [...] for the lymphatic system
to remove fluid and solid waste from the arm. We
don't have a good explanation for why it takes a
year, two years, three years. Most women will
develop some suggestion. They'll have an episode
of swelling within three years of their primary
breast cancer treatment, so the vast majority of
women who will ultimately develop lymphedema
are aware ofthat within three years.
Why there's such a delay, we really truly don't
understand. The current explanatory model goes
as follows.
It sends in inflammatory cells, what we call
neutrophils, but they're white blood cells that
penetrate the tissue. They're trying to solve the
problem, but, unfortunately, they cause more
problem because they perpetuate the inflammation
and the scarification, the scarring process, which
can cause further compromise because this fibrosis,
this scarring, can encompass the lymph vessels that
are still in the arm, that are still working, and
thereby worsen the lymphedema.
We get into a vicious cycle of more debris
accumulation, more inflammation, more scarring,
more compromise of the lymphatic system.

There's more in the transcript.

The NLN recently released a supplement to their early screening guideline, but for some reason it's not on their site right now, and I think that's were I saw the early signs.

I think the best thing is to see a LE therapist early on for measurements and guidance with exercise and risk reduction.

Kira