Exercise/CrossFit and Lymphedema

I had 16 nodes out, and no one gave me any restrictions. They just said work back up very very alowly, do your manual lymph drainage, and wear your sleeve and gauntlet if you need to. I'm no crossfitter, but I do rock climb and lift weights. I haven't had any problems. Just start with light weights and low reps. I'm 35 too. 😊

StefLove,

All the recent research points to re-engaging in exercise after node removal, but doing it knowledgeably. With 18 nodes out you are definitely at risk for LE, but it just means that you should be strategic in how you return to Cross-Fit and any other physical activity you love to do. Here is an excerpt from stepup-speakout.org, with links to three documents you may find helpful. The second one is just a shorter version of the first one, and helpful if you'd like to send it to your MO for a little umm...re-education.

The Cliff's Notes on the LE worry is that when you push your arm/trunk in ways that it is unaccustomed, the body interprets the effort as stress and sends lymph to the rescue. So the advice to re-enter gradually is meant to add resistance/repetition in doses that stay just under the 'stress' signal. You were accustomed to physical activity at a level that's well beyond many of us, and I'm pretty sure that you'll find you can progress rapidly through the slow/small increment advice you'll see in these documents. What's most important is that you learn the subtle signs of early LE, so you'll know when to back off and seek help from a qualified LE therapist. Even if you do get LE, you'll be able to do what you love, with some adjustments perhaps. I love to kayak, and I measured with a fitbit on my paddle that I do 19,000 strokes in a day on the water, often five or six days in a row. All that resistance and repetition should have sent my mild LE into watermelon-sized arm swelling, but it doesn't, I believe because I'm lifting weights in the gym regularly, so I got my arm and trunk to a point where my lymphatic system no longer feels compelled to save me from myself.

Also, there's a wild card about LE risk--some of us seem to be born with robust lymphatic systems, others less so. You have no way of knowing which version you got. My mother had dozens of axillary nodes removed and had much more extensive radiation therapy than would ever be given today, so she had an armpit full of nodal dead-ends and scar tissue. She never got LE in her remaining 47 years on earth. I had just five axillary and one breast node removed, and I got it. All of which means that we cannot generalize our experiences, and knowing that some women don't get LE despite losing 20 nodes and doing world-class athletic competition does not mean another woman is any less likely to get it. But still--live your life!

For inspiration, take a look here:

http://games.crossfit.com/article/persistent-deborah-cordner-carson

Seriously, so many women with and at risk of LE are sure lifting many more pounds than your MO thinks is our limit! Do read the following articles and just be as smart about managing your LE risk as you are when you're figuring out every teeny competitive edge when you're strategizing for cross fit meets.

From stepup-speakout.org:

See and download our Essential Knowledge for fitness trainers, Yoga teachers, and Pilates teachers regarding breast cancer related lymphedema

See and download our Handout What-you-should-know-about-lymphedema-and-exercise as a breast cancer survivor

Visit our page on Weightlifting and Lymphedema, Comments on Study published in New England Journal of Medicine and Questions and Answer with Dr. Kathryn Schmitz, Lead Author of study.

@Claire, I just got back from Seattle and BRRRR it is cold there now! Hats off to you.

I definitely have lymphedema, and I doubt it was from over exertion of my arm. I do not think anyone really has the answer as to what causes or worsens it in some people versus others, but I really don't think it's lifting weights. I suspect in me that it's a proclivity toward fluid retention and an all-over slow lymph system.

Hope you get back to your Crossfit.

I think your MO's advice is outdated. They used to tell women to avoid exercising, lifting anything heavy, etc. after having lymph nodes removed, but that seems to be in the past with most of us being told it is safe to exercise and resume our regular activities-whatever they may be. It might not be a great time to take up heavy lifting if you've never done it before, but if your body is used to it, I think you should be fine (no guarantees of course). Once I was healed from surgery, I went back to hauling around 50 lb bags of dogfood regularly (we have Wolfhounds) with the blessings of the lymphedema prevention people. They said if I was doing it before, I should be able to do it now. So far, so good.

Ilovecrossfit-

Thank you so much for sharing your story! We love what you said about refusing to let cancer define you, such a powerful message. Good luck at your consult, we hope you're a candidate!

The Mods

I also was one of the unlucky minority who got LE after having only 4 nodes removed, but I am predisposed to water retention and mildly obese--both risk factors. But I was told that the initial weight lifting limit was mainly to protect my incisions and promote healing. Part of my therapy now is resistance exercise--which includes gently progressive weight lifting. But because any exercise, even aerobic, increases lymphatic load possibly beyond lymphatic capacity (and thus can tip the scales into LE), I was also told to wear compression. (I do even for guitar playing). Of course, you can lift your child using mostly your non-surgical arm, right? I routinely carry 10 lbs or more of groceries and guitar cases with my other arm, without donning compression. As a Cross-Fit devotee, you probably have an optimal BMI and aerobic capacity--both of these lower your risk. But start slowly again and work up

ilovecrossfit, I have been told not to do exercises like planks and push ups to prevent lymphedema. I have also been told not to do repetitive weight lifting that will tire the arm. Did you do these kind of exercises after your surgery before getting lymphedema. I do pilates and had my surgery 3 weeks ago. Wondering if I should just exercise one arm or just do the exercises anyway. I am seeing a PT for the second time tomorrow and will ask her some more questions about it.