Swollen painful arm - what do to for exercise to help? (or not!)
Comments
-
Hello everyone,
I am new to the community. I had breast cancer (stage II) and 4 nodes removed from my right arm (operation was in September 2013). All went well and I've finished my treatment and am on Tamoxifen. I have read about the importance of exercise during and after treatment. I continued to exercise during my treatment (elliptic machine, Nordic walking and cycling). However I recently went on the rowing machine (something I could do with ease before the operation) and have strained my right arm and it has swollen up a bit. I have a couple of appointments with a physiotherapist to do some lymph drainage on my arm and have been told I need to rest it.
However, I am feeling a bit lost with what I can and cannot/shouldn't do to recover the strength and muscle tone in my arm. My surgeon has told me I can lead a "normal life" when I asked him about doing the sports I love (sailing, skiing, yoga) but if my arm caused problems to stop and get some physio. The swelling is slight and I don't have to wear a compression bandage or gloves like I've read some of you do. I have no idea how long this condition will last and if I can ever go sailing again for example. Can anyone offer some advice? I've seen that there are tri-athletes on this site, how have you done it?
Thank you!
(p.s. I live in Paris)
-
Hi ce3, click and jump to: Guidelines on Exercise For Those With/At Risk for Lymphedema that is where you will find answers for your swollen arm. I lived in Paris for 9 years - terrific physios and I have faith you will get relief. Come join is at: Let's Post our Daily Exercise where many of us post daily; it's friendly and fun! Take good care and I have a feeling Mary will be along soon!
-
-
Hello LilacBlue, thank you SO much for your reply. I've just been reading through the links you sent, 'Step Up, Speak Out' and the exercise pdf. They are brilliant, exactly what I needed. I was feeling so demoralized about now having to face this after everything else. I think I need to find a specialist physio. I still have to rest my arm but now at least I have some good reading material. CJ
And thank you 'The Mods' for your link too!
-
Oh good ce3 and I too think the Step Up, Speak Out site is excellent! Do rest your arm and a specialist physio can help with getting your flare-up back within normal limits. LB
-
I would suggest you see a certified lymphedema therapist who has experience treating lymphedema. If you have LE, you need to be taking care of it via manual lymphedema drainage at home, possible LE garments, drinking water, do deep breathing exercises (belly breathing).
You may have to alter your exercise routine if you have LE and continually get flare ups from exercising.
Your therapist should be recommending what exercises you can do. I have had to learn by doing to know what is too much for myself.
-
Hello Cinnamonsmiles, yes, this makes sense - I am trying to find a specialist at the moment. Will also make a more determined effort to drink plenty of water. Thank you.
-
ce3, in the meantime, are you able to be exercise active, such as walking?
-
Yes, I am still going to the gym where I do speed walking on a gradient (although at the moment without the vigorous arm movements), the elliptic machine and cross-country ski machine (again, no arm movements). I usually do 40-45 minutes. Helps cheer me up knowing I can at least still do this.
-
That is terrific ce3 and ditto on feeling cheered up via raised endorphins!
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team