Neuropathy, Herceptin, Lymphedema....Relationships???

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Maytagman12
Maytagman12 Member Posts: 1
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

New @ "blogs".  My wife was diagnosed with three Stage 4 cancers in Nov. 2012 @ CTCA.  She had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996; had two small tumors removed and fought the cancers using entirely natural methods.  Kept them under control without chemo, surgery, or radiation until 11/2012.

11/2012 we opted for recommended Chemo in addition to the "natural things" we were doing (are still doing).  Four treatments later a pet, cat, MRI, and blood tests indicated all three cancers were "no longer active".  Two of the three Chemo types were stopped at that time at our request.  The side effects of the three were rather severe.

We continue with Herceptin (along with certain "other - norecognized FDA" protocols and will make additional adjustments at the end of May.  However, we are having difficulty with lymphedema and neuropathy.  Both continue to be issues we are actively addressing with several different actions.

Any advice from anyone on how we can better address these issues?  Believe the neuropathy is direcly linked to the chemo.  However, lymhedema due to lympth nodes clogged.

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  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited April 2013

    Hi There maytagman

    You'll have to share those natural methods ...I am sure many of us would be interested. Sorry, however about the stage 4.

    As for lymphedema, the forum here is great to adress your specific concerns. There is also a fabulous and comprehensive website ( created by some of the ladies righ here on this forum!)  that will explain LOTS.

    Yourwife would need to seek tx from a certified LE therapist and look into Manual lymphatic drainage and possibly wrapping or compression sleeve with hand protection, to begin with.

    Check out :http://www.stepup-speakout.org/

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited April 2013

    Welcome, Maytagman.Smile Glad you found us, though I'm sorry for the reasons you had to.Frown Lymphedema is a bear, but treating it is completely drug and surgery-free. I wonder if you've found a well-qualified lymphedema therapist to help you address this? If not, here's how to find one near you:
    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

    Treatment involves a gentle massage to move stagnant lymph fluid out of the tissues and back into circulation, followed by compression on the affected areas (arm? breast or chest?) to keep it that way (layered bandaging is typical of a compression technique used during initial therapy, "graduating" eventually to compression garments that are not so bulky or awkward). Specific gentle exercises help keep the lymph flowing, and other simple interventions such as staying really well hydrated, periodic deep abdominal breathing, and simple elevation of the affected limb all help control the condition.

    Pain can exacerbate lymphedema, because our bodies send extra lymph fluid to areas that are experiencing pain in order to assist with the immune response. So if the neuropathy is regularly painful, that could be contributing to the lymphedema issues. And on the other hand, removing excess fluid may well help to ease the neuropathy discomfort, as it takes pressure off the nerves. Certain kinds of chemo (the taxanes, for instance) do increase swelling, so if she's now off those the lymphedema therapy should be very effective. Happily, treatment is also usually effective quickly, so relief begins to happen soon after treatment begins.

    I hope some of that helps. Greet your wife for us, and please do tell us how we can help.Binney

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  • ahdjdbcjdjdbkf
    ahdjdbcjdjdbkf Member Posts: 645
    edited July 2013

    I know there is a link between Herceptin and neuropathy. It is not listed in the drug indications but the doctors at my cancer center told me too many patients report it. I also have lymphedema. My oncologist was wondering if it would get better when I am off Herceptin also. I finished about 6 weeks ago.

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