Underarm electrolysis after SNB

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beatrice00
beatrice00 Member Posts: 103
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

I was in the middle of a series of electrolysis underarm treatments when I was diagnosed. I will have BMX with SNB at the end of September. Can I continue electrolysis treatments after that? Can electrolysis cause lymphedema after SNB? That's my biggest worry. I usually have treatments every two weeks. Thank you so much.

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited September 2013

    You definitely need to check with your surgeon about that. Doesn't sound very safe to me, though. How many nodes did you hae removed?

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  • beatrice00
    beatrice00 Member Posts: 103
    edited October 2013


    In case anyone else has the same question, I found out the answer. The doctor said no more electrolysis on the underarm, or the arm in general, that had the lymph nodes removed, ever.

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  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited October 2013


    Just curious if your surgeon thinks or suggested laser treatments. My BS thought I could consider laser treatments to remove spider veins on my chest. These are most likely a result from RADs. Not sure how laser vein treatments differ from laser hair removal.

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  • beatrice00
    beatrice00 Member Posts: 103
    edited October 2013


    She said no electrolysis or laser on my left arm and underarm, also no cutting of cuticles only pushing and to bring my own manicure kit to the salon. I can have it done everywhere else without a problem, just not the arm.

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


    Actually, the at-risk area is your hand, arm, axilla, chest/breast, back, and side. In other word, the entire quadrant on the side where you were treated. The quadrant lines are from the waist up to the neck, and along the midline of your torso in front and spine in back. That's because the lymph system drains our bodies in quadrants, so the compromised area is the whole quadrant, not just the arm.


    Hope that helps...

    Binney

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2013


    is laser hair removal also risky? When I asked my PS about this he suggested only laser. I have not done it yet because I haven't found a definitive answer on whether it's safe.

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited October 2013


    The manicure thing sounds unreasonable. I have been getting manicures since I recovered from surgery with no problem. I don't intend to stop.

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  • beatrice00
    beatrice00 Member Posts: 103
    edited October 2013


    I don't intend to stop manicures either, also I have hair on my underarn and forearm so that's all I asked about regarding electrolysis, my preferred choice of hair removal. I only had 1 node removed so her answer was taylored to my situation, I think, but it was still no.

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  • hugz4u
    hugz4u Member Posts: 2,781
    edited October 2013


    Any time you break the skin no matter what you do you are increasing the chance of getting cellulitis. Once this beast gets a hold of you it tends to return. Cellulitis is the worse,can be life threatening , throw you into depression, etc and so I try not to take many chances breaking my skin.


    That said, when I am desperate with a frozen shoulder or torn rotator cuff problem and have no where else to turn I do consider a special accupunture called IMS accupuncture. I tell my girl not to needle my arm and only let her near my affected back if absolutely necessary. So far I have been ok. But....I do realize that needling my back is a risk too.I only break skin if I am desperate. so far this has worked for me. My girls needles are individually sterilized wrapped but come to think of it next time I go,I will have her smear a bit of antibiotic on each puncture. Oh it all stinks doesn't it.


    I do my own nails because I remember long time ago before LE I has a girl that was rough on my cuticles. I don't want a repeat offence. Once I had a girl hurt my toenail area in a pedicure. Had sore toes for a few days but my nails looked great!


    I have had electrolysis and I wouldn't do it with LE,


    Beatrice, I am proud of your doctor, we finally have a few docs that are LE educated.

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