Swelling at night??

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JJOntario
JJOntario Member Posts: 356
edited May 2015 in Lymphedema

I'm not sure if this normal or not but lately I've been waking up with a swollen hand (my rings are tight). It goes away...but it has me wondering. I'm in my 5th week of rads and I had 15 nodes removed

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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited May 2015


    Your rings being tight make me suspicious. Can you get a referral to a qualified LE therapist and get checked out?

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited May 2015

    The best thing to do is get a referral to a LymphEdema Therapist (not just some PT or OT that claims they 'know all about LE') for an evaluation and education. Actually that is a good idea for all shortly after surgery so that a baseline is established and learning about LE. Unfortunately, many Drs are clueless.

    Is what you are experiencing LE - no one here can DX what is going on but it is a possibility and the sooner it is addressed (or whatever is going on), the better.

    As you are having an issue at night only perhaps a night garment might be in order. What most immediately think of are the day garments - sleeves/gloves - which work while 'up' and active but are not for nighttime while not moving. Night garments are different and designed to work while you are not active (passive). Wrapping is also an option. BUT first you need to see and LET - it is also possible that something else is going on, like possibly sleeping differently and thus restricting.

    Check it out.



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  • amygil81
    amygil81 Member Posts: 165
    edited May 2015

    JJ, run, do not walk, to a trained professional lymphedema therapist. If it's not LE, no harm done, but if it is, the sooner you start treating it, the better. Please let us know how it goes for you.

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  • JJOntario
    JJOntario Member Posts: 356
    edited May 2015

    Thanks Everyone,

    I gave up sleeping in anything other than my DHs well worn soft under shirts during rads so I know it's not that and I usually sleep on my "good" side..I'm going to see my RO next week and asked to be referred at least to be measured. I'm also concerned because I'm flying next Friday on a 5hr flight. My RO said to just make sure I move around. What do I do if I I start to swell while away?

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  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 1,138
    edited May 2015

    You can go see a fitter to buy over the counter sleeves, I was told to always wear sleeves and gauntlets for flying even before my LE was diagnosed.

    You should also be drinking a lot of water while flying, it helps very much with LE, but then you have to visit the awful plane bathrooms more.

    Tight rings were my first clue something was changing. 5 years after my surgery.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited May 2015

    Just going to a Medical Supply place can do more harm than good. There are different levels of compression and the wrong level can do a lot of harm. Some of us need higher, some lower and the wrong can do damage. For me, high is bad/nasty causing a lot more/major swelling quickly so low is what I have to use. For others, low won't work and need high. There is also getting the CORRECT fit size wise. OTS (Off The Shelf) may fit some but again not all. They are 'average' but many of us aren't 'average'. There was is so much more involved in handling/dealing with LE than just going and being sold a garment by a salesman.

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  • JJOntario
    JJOntario Member Posts: 356
    edited May 2015

    What do you do if you find yourself swelling (on the plane or while I'm away?)


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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited May 2015

    I have no idea what you could do if you run into issues before you see an LET for education other than to not over use or carry bags/weight on that side. Others will have ideas probably.

    I do not respond well to what others say 'works' - we are each unique. I do wear my garments (day and night) basically 24/7. For me - the more I do, the less issues I deal with. I use my FlexiTouch (Manual Lymphic Drainage machine) daily as for me it works much better than doing MLD myself.

    Hope your trip goes without issues and you are able to see an LET soon.


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