Need some tips until I can see PT

Hi Sue,

You'll be sure to get a ton of help from the other members of this board. While you wait for their helpful advice, you may be interested in checking out the main Breastcancer.org site's section on Lymphedema - including an extensive area on Lymphedema Treatments.

Hope this helps and good luck!

--The Mods

Sue, we actually have a page on stepup-speakout about what to do while waiting for an appointment--I do agree with Quail to just be sure that there's no infection and to let your physician know, as they will consider a blot clot in the arm--very, very rarely happens, but they sometimes want to make sure (I don't want to scare you, but just want to bring up other reasons than the usual LE--needs no real reason--to suddenly swell)

From your post, it sounds like you have had LE act up before and have a PT that you know and trust, right?

I hope you can still enjoy the vacation. The advice I'm going to post below talks about deep breathing, and it's a powerful tool to get lymph moving. A major lymph vessel is below the diaphragm, and deep breathing will pump the lymph.

Here's the page and the info:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/How_You_Can_Cope_with_Lymphedema.htm#while%20waiting

What 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.

Please let us know how you're doing.

Kira