concerns running after SNLB and WLE

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kathycaribe
kathycaribe Member Posts: 1
edited January 2016 in Working on Your Fitness
so

i don't have BC but melanoma but our DX tests and surgeries are very similar. so 11 days ago i had SLNB and 5 LNs removed. i waited until yesterday to begin exercising and walked 5km the day before, ran 5km and rode 40km yesterday and ran 5km today. this was not abnormal for me before DX. I regularly did 1.5-2 hours swim/bike/run before DX.

i have been putting a compressive ace wrap around my upper chest (underarm to underarm as SLNB was in axilla) before each run. today the SLNB area seems quite puffy - it seems like more than after the stitches were removed. i see onc-surgeon on Thursday and research tells me this cannot be lymphedema (due to proximity to surgery and only 5 removed) so i wonder if i'm running too soon? doc said 2 weeks but i found (either MSK or MDA) giving instructions to wait 7 days before running after SNLB. my WLE excision area seems fine - this is like the BC lumpectomy and then some. the only "problem" area seems to be the axila SNLB area.

has anyone else had this issue after SNLB?


thanks!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2016

    Dear kathy, Most here would suggest that you contact your surgeon's office and talk to someone in the practice about your current symptoms rather than wait until your follow-up. While you are dealing with melanoma and not breast cancer you may want to check out the topic Lumpectomy Lounge where there is more discussion about SLNB than on this particular topic. Keep us posted. The Mods

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  • BarredOwl
    BarredOwl Member Posts: 2,433
    edited January 2016

    Hi Kathy:

    Generally, it is best to ramp up activity slowly and cut back if you notice swelling or experience other symptoms, such as heaviness.

    Personally, I am more suspicious of the biking and the possibility of body weight resting on your arms in that activity. Also, I have no idea whether it is a good idea or not to use an ace bandage in that manner. I would be worried about possibly obstructing lymph flow, but frankly, I have no idea. One could ask a lymphedema therapist (see below).

    Please see the step-up web site and other materials linked in the first post in this thread about exercising:

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/58/topics...

    Even with a few nodes removed, there is some risk of lymphedema, and it the risk is lifelong. It can show up at any time. You may wish to request a referral to a qualified lymphedema therapist for an initial assessment. The therapist can conduct baseline measurements of your arm using a perometer, which will be helpful in determining if there is any change in the future, and can provide you with information about self-care and possible risk reduction measures. The step up web site also has information about how to find a qualified lymphedema therapist.

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified...

    BarredOwl


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