HELP!!!!! NEED SOME ADVICE!!!!!!

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faithfulheart
faithfulheart Member Posts: 544
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Hi everyone, I have never posted  here.  I have been struggling with swelling from the get go!! Right after my BMX,  I was swollen,  I have gone up and down as my weight has,  I lost 40 pounds after chemo, it does seem my arm did do better... I have put on about 15 since last year this time.  It will be 3 yrs in sept of dx . Here is my question , recently I have really gotton swollen and in quite a lot of pain.....My theropist told me I need to wear my compresion sleeve at all times................My shoulder and up into my neck area have been really sore too,  does this go hand in hand? The shoulder pain goes down my arm sometimes too. Advil does help but ,  you can only take so much of that.....   .I have been scared that my shoulder  could be mets,  However it does come and go and I am defenitly suffering in my arm right now........ I had 6 months of chemo and 38 rounds of rads..... I know that does not help, I was 41 at dx. this is really a hard thing to deal with... I would be so grateful for any imput you ladies have. Is Ice on the shoulder a good thing or not....The shoulder and neck pain has been going on about 3 weeks....................

Thank you , and God Bless!!!!!!

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  • hugz4u
    hugz4u Member Posts: 2,781
    edited June 2012

    Hi, While you are waiting for our expert girls to post answer answers, go to the website stepup-speakout.org. Here you can find reliable information on lymphedema.

    It is important for you to find a qualified  certified lymphedema therapist who can see if you do have Lymphedema. That website can help you.  Not sure what you have is Lymphedema as the shoulder to neck soreness is unusal but then lymphedema can present itself in different areas. Definately check out the shoulder and neck soreness with you doc.

    You have been prescribed compression sleeves,  if so was that prescribed by a  qualified Lymphedema therapist?  You should only be wearing them in the day. Night garments are different from day compression and are sometimes prescribed. It is always good to wear a gauntlet or glove with the sleeve so the fluid doesn't get pushed from the sleeve to the hand. Your garment must fit well, not to tight and not to loose, no wrinkles. Check that website as it will answer all your questions.

    Until you find out what is going on, drink plenty of water,  frequently rest the arm in an elevated posistion, (like your resting it on a couch back) lift arm straight in the air above your head and pump your fist slowly, about 20 times and do this a few times a day. Try not to sleep on that side of the body. If you have lymphedema this should help you until you are looked at by a professional. NO sun on the area as this worsens swelling and no heavy lifting. A gallon of milk weighs 8lbs so if you are going to carry it hug it close to your body.

    Weight loss does seem to help and data shows this.

    I am not sure if you should put ice or heat on that shoulder quite yet as if you have lymphedema that could be hard on it. The girls on these threads will advice you on this. 

    You have come to the right place and we will help you get thru this.Smile Rest easy. 

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  • ma111
    ma111 Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2012

    This sounds like maybe something for the family doctor. It could be a pinched nerve or many other things. With you history though you need films. Family doctors can order them.

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