Lymphedema before any surgery

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Npreece
Npreece Member Posts: 8
edited January 2018 in Lymphedema

I am currently going through chemotherapy. I have not had surgery yet...My breast tumor is 4 cm and I have at least 4 lymph nodes that are positive. My arm hurts from the shoulder...sometimes down to my wrist. It comes and it goes. I have noticed that my shirts are also a bit tight on that side too. I told my doctor that I thought it was lymphedema. He didn't agree or disagree. I do get relief from raising my arm above my head and from massaging it lightly. Should I be concerned? Should I be doing therapy so this doesn't advance? Has anyone else experienced this before having lymph nodes removed?

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  • hugz4u
    hugz4u Member Posts: 2,781
    edited January 2018

    Welcome. I don't know all your specs. If you had radiation it definately could be le. Or perhaps your cancer nodes are not allowing proper drainage. I hope someone knows and comes on board.

    Go to stepup-speakout.org for le education and to find a qualified lymphedema person in your area. Great site our girls here developed.

    Knowledge is power and generally speakingyou probably know more about lymphedema than your doc who has had only a few minutes education on le.

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  • buttonsmachine
    buttonsmachine Member Posts: 930
    edited January 2018

    Npreece,

    I had some pretty bad non-lymphedema swelling during chemo, which was a reaction to one of the drugs they gave me. The swelling lasted for months after chemo stopped and my MO was perplexed by that. It eventually resolved. Aside from that, I do have truncal lymphedema that followed my surgery. Also, I do know a few people who got lymphedema even though they never had cancer or cancer treatment.

    It's so hard to say. Cancer treatment can be a wild ride. Hopefully between seeing your MO and a CLT you can sort out what is going on. I hope you find some answers and best wishes to you!

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited January 2018

    Npreece, welcome! Sorry about your reasons for being here, but glad you found us. It's always a good idea to hook up with a well-trained lymphedema therapist BEFORE surgery, for baseline arm measurements, personalized tips on reducing your lymphedema risk, and to learn a gentle self-massage for reducing swelling. And to help determine what's up with the swelling!

    If this is your left arm that's swelling, and your port is on the left side, then it's possible the port is pressing against the main lymphatic vessel and reducing lymph flow to that area. It is rare, and can affect both legs as well, since that vessel drains the left arm and the legs. If so, it will resolve when the port is removed. Lymphedema is also possible when cancer blocks lymph flow, but since you are being treated for that, we'll look forward with you to that resolving as well.

    As buttons points out, chemo itself can sometimes cause swelling, but that is not usually restricted to one arm only. Best bet is to get any doctor on your team to refer you to a qualified lymphedema therapist. In the meantime, we're all rooting for your smooth sailing through the rest of your treatment.

    Please let us know what you discover, and tell us how we can help!

    Gentle hugs,
    Binney

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