Painting.......... lymphedema risk??

Theresa - you are so wise to ask that question and to do whatever you can to avoid lymphedema. There is so much information here. I wish I had done that.

I developed painful cording and arm and hand LE after painting and overdoing it on exercise - had just moved into a new house.

Then, last month, I did a "little" more painting and tried to use my other arm as much as possible. I developed swelling in my hand again. If I had it to do over again, I would not paint anything, ever. And, I love to paint.

There are just things that it would be wise for you to avoid if you can. I know that is a bummer but it is even a bigger bummer to have lymphedema. Seeing a therapist and being fitted for a compression sleeve and gauntlet to wear when you use your arm and hand for things that could be a problem is a good idea.

Yes, I have gotten the looks but sometimes I wonder if I'm just overly sensitive. No matter, it is worth it not to over do to avoid LE. When you exercise and use your hand and arm a lot it you can wear the compression garments. If you really think your family and friends need an education in LE - information is out there that you can share with them. It is also not a bad idea to see a LE therapist who can help you with all of your questions and take baseline measurements in the event you ever have problems. Again, you are very wise to learn about this and to take such good care of yourself to avoid LE.

My physical therapist has told me that she's had patients develop lymphedema with only one node taken (and others with lots of nodes removed that never develop it). So, who knows how your body will react. Makes sense to take precautions, even with just a snb, just in case........

My ps DID recommend a sleeve for flying, even with a snb. (I had 5 sentinel nodes, so it's a bit more than you, but she would have recommended it anyway)

She didn't say I needed it for weights, but did suggest that I work up to them slowly, to allow my body time to adjust.

Good luck!

Yes, Deb, by all means get fitted PROPERLY (by someone with plenty of experience) for a sleeve and glove and wear them when exercising or whenever you might strain your arm (holiday cooking with lots of chopping, rearranging the books on your shelves, etc.) Also, stay really well hydrated; avoid over-heating or taking a hot shower after working out (warm is fine); and by all means stop at once if you sense any strain to your arm, tingling, itching or numbness. Elevate your arm if that happens. You can go back to it the next day, but always stop when you sense any strain. Takes LOTS longer to work up do your goals than it did before bc, but recent reseach efforts are aimed at proving that careful exercise and strength-training is actually good for both preventing and treating LE.

Cayenneblue, same precautions apply if you decide to risk painting. The problem there is stopping yourself if you're half-way through a wall. Takes a lot of extra strength of will to stop, but I promise it's worth it to avoid this stupid LE. I'd have to vote with rrs to avoid it entirely, but certainly the choice is yours.

Enjoy anyhow!
Binney

Yes, yes, yes -- by all means wear compression when you exercise with weights. My first indication of LE (that I ignored) was after exercising I would wash my hands and noticed that a had a little sensitivity/pain when I washed my hands. I just thought "oh, that is just because my hands are a little swollen from the exercise..." If only I had paid attention to that... Oh, well. Word to the wise.

kimorajaso,

This thread has been inactive for about 14 years. Not sure if the op or others who responded are still active on bco.

exbrnxgirl - I believe you!! but how odd.

skimming through this thread from 2007 I noted the posters who said that their oncologists were the people most dismissive of their concerns about their risk for lymphedema and their desire to take precautions. I hope in the almost 15!! ensuing years that oncologists have become more enlightened.