Maybe Lymphedema???

laughs_a_lot
laughs_a_lot Member Posts: 1,368 Member
I noticed a swelling in my hand yesterday as I was driving into work. Also as I was in exercise class I noticed when I reached up or out with the effected side's arm I felt sort of a pinch type pain. I asked a co worker to judge my arms to see if one looked larger than the other. She noted that the hands, wrists, and forearms were slightly larger. But we also questioned whether this was normal due to me being right handed. So I am unsure. I don't remember injuring my hand or wrist. I figured the pinch when stretching arm might be related to the further "cooking" of tissues related to having radiation. What do you think?

Comments

  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    Don't guess
    No guessing get to a doctor and get it checked out! I delayed checking into it thinking it was nothing and ended up with a staph infection and became horribly sick! Lymphedema untreated can be serious please have it checked out so you do not have unnecessary problems. Here is a site that has a lot of information you may find helpful.

    http://www.lymphnet.org/

    Hugs,

    RE
  • laughs_a_lot
    laughs_a_lot Member Posts: 1,368 Member
    Yes
    I think you are right. I will call the doctor's monday or see if the lymphedema clinic at the cancer center is open on Saturday. This way if it is not lymphedema no harm done. If it is lymphedema I will save myself and the insurance company a lot of hassle. Thanks for answering and giving me the website.
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member

    Yes
    I think you are right. I will call the doctor's monday or see if the lymphedema clinic at the cancer center is open on Saturday. This way if it is not lymphedema no harm done. If it is lymphedema I will save myself and the insurance company a lot of hassle. Thanks for answering and giving me the website.

    I'm....
    I'm with RE....get it checked out.....swelling of any kind Is a sign that something is wrong...don't wait...

    Please keep us posted..
    Hugs, Nancy
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    MAJW said:

    I'm....
    I'm with RE....get it checked out.....swelling of any kind Is a sign that something is wrong...don't wait...

    Please keep us posted..
    Hugs, Nancy

    Thank you, RENA! You are a wealth of information
    .. when it comes to lymphedema.

    My question: Do lymphedema - come, and go? I have been noticing a different
    lately in my breast cancer arm, and hand .. Ugh! Some days are not as noticeable.

    Thank you for any information. Checking out the website.


    Vicki Sam
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    VickiSam said:

    Thank you, RENA! You are a wealth of information
    .. when it comes to lymphedema.

    My question: Do lymphedema - come, and go? I have been noticing a different
    lately in my breast cancer arm, and hand .. Ugh! Some days are not as noticeable.

    Thank you for any information. Checking out the website.


    Vicki Sam

    :-)
    Glad I could be helpful Vicki. In regards to if lymphedema comes and goes it is my understanding that it does not come and go, the swelling may lessen at times but once you have it you have it forever and have to be careful with the treatment of the effected limb which is why it is so important to know when or if you have it. My doctors have explained that the goal is to keep the swelling down as much as possible and to keep it clean and free of wounds. I hope you get relief soon!

    Hugs,

    RE
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    RE said:

    :-)
    Glad I could be helpful Vicki. In regards to if lymphedema comes and goes it is my understanding that it does not come and go, the swelling may lessen at times but once you have it you have it forever and have to be careful with the treatment of the effected limb which is why it is so important to know when or if you have it. My doctors have explained that the goal is to keep the swelling down as much as possible and to keep it clean and free of wounds. I hope you get relief soon!

    Hugs,

    RE

    Thank you so much for the information .. I will now locate a Specialist --

    I truly appreciate all your wealth of information, and personal generosity.

    Gentle hugs my dear Friend :)

    Vicki Sam
  • laughs_a_lot
    laughs_a_lot Member Posts: 1,368 Member
    yuppes
    It is a mild case of lymphodema and I will be going to see a physical therapist tommorrow regarding it.
  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member

    yuppes
    It is a mild case of lymphodema and I will be going to see a physical therapist tommorrow regarding it.

    Glad you checked
    I'm glad you checked it out and are going to PT. I am always looking at my arms and comparing them, I kind of drive myself crazy worrying about lymphodema. Hope you get some fun exercises and a good massage when there.
  • DuFfY 67_98_12
    DuFfY 67_98_12 Member Posts: 11

    yuppes
    It is a mild case of lymphodema and I will be going to see a physical therapist tommorrow regarding it.

    lymphodema--no laughing matter. Believe me!
    I've had lym. for 12 years. I've had a compression pump,wraps,sleeves and gloves for all those years. I ignored it at 1st until I got stung by a bee and became gravely ill. You must know one thing now that it has you it will never go away. There are stages of better and worse. Change of seasons is always hard. Humidity levels and high and low atmosphereic pressure greatly affect it. Don't ever ignore it. I did that for the 1st 2 years which is part of the problem I have. Not good or accurate information was also a part. Go to the therapy and I pray you get a good therapist and one that specalizes in this. That truly makes a big difference. I drive 60 miles from home to therapy when I need it because what is available at home I can do myself and it does nothing for me. This like all things related to cancer is different for everyone. Be brave careful and God Bless!
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    MAJW said:

    I'm....
    I'm with RE....get it checked out.....swelling of any kind Is a sign that something is wrong...don't wait...

    Please keep us posted..
    Hugs, Nancy

    I hope the PT can help you.
    I hope the PT can help you.