Ring won't fit on non-LE side

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KS1
KS1 Member Posts: 632
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

When I first developed LE, I tried wearing wearing my wedding ring on my non LE (right) hand, but it was too big.  It's been almost 3 years since I've worn it, and I decided to get the ring made smaller for my husband's and my wedding anniversary.  I discovered today I can't even begin to get it on.  I weigh less now than I did 3 years ago, and my right arm and hand don't look swollen and I don't have any discomfort.  

I had a large lumpectomy in outer upper quadrant (surgeon called it a partial mastectomy) on the right, but I didn't even have a SNB on that side.  When I do MLD, I direct the fluid to my groin and to the right axilla.

Could I possibly be developing LE on my right side?  Should I stop directing fluid to the right axilla?  KS1

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Comments

  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited May 2012

    I think it's possible to get it from breast surgery, since it does impact the nodes, even with out an SNB. It is possible you have arthritis?

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited May 2012

    KS1--a few women on these boards have gotten swelling in their arms without node removal--Binney, Jane, and others--but also, it's been three years, often the other arm isn't measured, and the arm can change.

    Also, your body mechanics are off due to the LE on the left.

    And as I recall, you sometimes use Canadian crutches, right?

    I think the best thing is to bring this up with your LE therapist and get that arm checked out. Just hoping it's physiologic changes due to change in use.

    Kira

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2012

    I thought I posted in response to this last night, but it's not here. I just wanted to say that both of my hands became larger after my bilateral mast. Only right side had sentinel node, and that's the side I developed LE. However, almost immediately after surgery, I no longer could wear my wedding band or engagement rings on left hand, and have never been able to since. Rings for right hand no longer fit either. This was a while before LE anywhere. I went into surgery slightly underweight because I had the flu the month before, but after surgery I gained back the weight I had lost. I also happened to go through natural menopause at around the same time I had my mast and was reconstructing that year. I thought menopause or even the recon might have had something to do with it. However, I should mention that when I initially developed truncal LE on right, I was draining to left side. Later, after a trip I developed slight swelling in left side of trunk, and my therapist switched and had me drain both sides down to inguinal nodes. Left side really isn't an issue, but I will do MLD on that occasionally if it ever feels funny.

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  • KS1
    KS1 Member Posts: 632
    edited May 2012

    I am not aware of having arthritis in my right fingers,but I am on an AI which I think can cause joint issues. Also,my ovaries are being supressed so if joints increase in size with decrease estrogen or menopause, that could be the culprit.



    Haven't used Canadian crutches since having an ALND (during the winter, I just pray I don't slip on ice). That said, I am using my RH much more than before my ALND -- my dexterity in my RH is poor, but now I do things like hold heavy things on the right side. I sure like the idea of the increased size being due to increased muscle mass much more than arthritis or LE!



    Another thing I remember is that I had a rotator cuff repair on my right shoulder a couple of years ago (ie post left sided ALND/LE). It was arthroscopic, and my recovery amazingly smooth, but maybe that is contributing to the increase in size.



    I will ask my LE therapist what she thinks, and to be cautious maybe I'll just do MLD down to the left groin.

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  • KS1
    KS1 Member Posts: 632
    edited May 2012

    good news:  LE therapist says my right hand looks fine and she isn't sure why my ring doesn't fit.  She did say that if I wanted to be cautious, to just direct lymph to the left inginuals. I think given the experiences of some on the forum, I am going to do so. Thanks for weighing in. Ks1

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2012

    KS1 - Glad to hear your therapist confirmed your hand looks good! Personally, I found it a lot easier to drain to the inguinals. I never could do my back the other way. I don't know if it's a less efficient method when it comes to directing fluid, but there was no difference in my bad side when I switched, and the left side never swelled further. Hope it works for you.

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