Study finds first possible drug treatment for lymphedema

Thank you Cowgal! If you go back in to edit you can hit the return key after you post the link and it will be live so that others can just click on.

This is amazing news. I hope it's released to those of us suffering with lymphadema in the very near future.

Thanks for sharing cowgal.

Amy

No worries Cowgal, thanks for fixing. I'm sure mine came from inflammation after getting delayed breast cellulitis after radiation. I was ok up until about six weeks after radiation and then boom!

I really wonder what drug they are referring to in this study. I know that Dr. Rockson was doing some sort of study with Ketoprofen at some point. Not sure if he is still working on that one. I can tell you that after reading about it last year, I asked my MO about trying a Ketoprofen regiment for my lymphedema that has been quite problematic for 6/7 years. He had the pharmacist call Stanford and inquire on what dosage Dr. Rockson was giving his patients, but they would not reveal this. So he put me on a daily low dose of Ketoprofen in June of last year, and I must say that it is the first time in 6/7 years that I have gotten relief from the pain I constantly had in that arm. My pain is not completely gone, but much improved. It really has made a huge difference. I am grateful for the dedication Dr. Rockson has for this rotten side effect of cancer treatment.

For Anna, since ketoprofen is an NSAID like ibuprofen/Advil=Motrin, it's not surprising that you would get pain relief along with the anti-inflammatory effect. You might even experiment with an OTC product at some point, especially if it would be less expensive. Be sure you take any of these meds with food to protect the stomach and also ask your doctor about periodic lab work in order to observe kidney function.

There likely is something else in Ketoprofen that is assisting or making the anti-inflammatory benefits more effective in this particular NSAID, as I was taking a fair amount of prescription Ibuprofen and prescription Naproxen, and was not experiencing the same benefits with either or those that I am with the Ketoprofen. So there is something else there. I certainly am mindful of the stomach issues. We are staying on top of kidney lab work every 6 months. You are very correct in the cost difference as my prescriptions of Ibuprofen and Naproxen are minimal, not so with the Ketoprofen.

Some people do get swelling, particularly in the lower extremities, from NSAIDs which seems to be related to sodium retention. Since the kidneys are involved in electrolyte balance, it's important to keep an eye on their function via labs as Anna is doing especially when one is using this class of drugs long term.

Hugz question sent me into a pharmacology review session. The chemical structure of ketoprofen is unique so perhaps it has better ability to block prostaglandin production. It was interesting in the article that those scientists are looking at the role of leukotrienes in the inflammatory process and how inhibition of their effects may be the key to relief from lymphedema.

My perspective has usually been from the physical 'plumbing problem' point of view - normal drainage is not taking place because nodes were removed. Having a medication versus our current mechanical solutions would be great!