Lymphedema can just go away, at least for a time.

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LynnInColorado
LynnInColorado Member Posts: 28
edited November 2014 in Lymphedema
Lymphedema can just go away, at least for a time.
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  • LynnInColorado
    LynnInColorado Member Posts: 28
    edited June 2014

    I got early intervention for mild lymphedema in my ARM and moderate TRUNCAL edema.  I was given all the warnings and got appropriate compression garments.  However, the sleeve seemed to worsen the underarm lymphedema, so I stopped wearing it as an experiment.  Everything stayed the same, but did not worsen.  Three months later, the arm lymphedema has resolved WITHOUT COMPRESSION or LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE and I've been doing strenuous gardening, etc.  The truncal edema is about 75% gone.  I am hyperaware of possible recurrence, but thought this would be good information for those with mild lymphedema.  

    Diagnoses: DCIS followed by Stage 0 and Stage1 lymphedema in arm and trunk, Mondor's Disease (superficial thrombophlebitis under affected breast) and Tietze Syndrome (rib cartilage swelling just below the affected breast.)

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  • LymphActivist
    LymphActivist Member Posts: 64
    edited July 2014

    Hi Lynn,

    Please keep us informed about the progress of your arm and truncal lymphedema. There have been small, short duration studies published that indicate that EARLY INTERVENTION may PREVENT lymphedema, and I would be interested in following your (n=1) trial for a longer period. 

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  • LynnInColorado
    LynnInColorado Member Posts: 28
    edited July 2014

    Will do. 

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  • LynnInColorado
    LynnInColorado Member Posts: 28
    edited November 2014

    Update: I'm back on the forums to remind myself what to do as axillary symptoms have flared.  Fortunately, all arm symptoms remain quiescent despite no compression or lymphatic drainage.  I am so relieved that my life has not been impacted muchand this is why I posted to begin with.  

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  • EllenP
    EllenP Member Posts: 17
    edited November 2014

    I developed lymphedema in my left arm, hand, and trunk seven months following my surgery. I saw a LANA-trained physical therapist, did CDT for a couple of weeks. Wore a Juzo off-the-shelf compression sleeve and gauntlet or glove for three years, for most of my waking hours. At two years did not seem to need the gauntlet/glove anymore (except for long hikes). At the three year mark, the sleeve began to hurt more than it helped. Swelling had been well controlled for a while, so I experimented with not wearing sleeve. Haven't worn the sleeve for three months now and only wear the glove for long hikes. Truncal swelling has resolved. Arm swelling has reduced, though not totally gone. As long as I walk everyday and practice yoga a couple times a week, all feels good. Also, I've lost 8 lbs and feel as though that may have helped, also.

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  • mcgis
    mcgis Member Posts: 291
    edited November 2014

    That is my wish. To not have to wear garments all the time and only when hiking, traveling, gardening, shopping....

    I wear a Juzo off the shelf glove all the time and I wear a sleeve 60% of the time, or when I'm doing any of the above.

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  • RebeccaA
    RebeccaA Member Posts: 28
    edited November 2014

    I am experimenting now with going longer periods without the sleeve, I have what my therapist says is mild LE, mostly affecting my forearm and hand, I have not found any glove that really helps, plus I do mostly writing and typing at my job. Those activities do not seem to impact whether my hand swells, and I am better able to work without a glove. I usually put on a sleeve in the morning after self massage, but by mid afternoon I am ready to tear it off. I,'ve been doing just that and haven,t noticed any worsening. I also went m o st of the weekend without the sleeve. So far, so good.




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