lympedema with lumpectomy?

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creampuff91344
creampuff91344 Member Posts: 988
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I have a quick question regarding lympedema. I am almost one year out of treatment, and for the past month I have started having problems with my arm on the b/c side. I had a lympectomy, and seven lymph nodes removed, all negative. My tumor was 2.1cm. Is it possible to develop lympedema so long after surgery and treatment? The arm feels heavy and seems weaker than the other, and there is a muscle (right at the bicep) that will cramp. Has anyone had this kind of problem so long after treatment? It may be something other than lympedema, but there is little or no swelling....just weakness. Responses anyone? Hugs.

Judy
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  • jk1952
    jk1952 Member Posts: 613
    #2
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    Judy, it's my understanding

    Judy, it's my understanding that you are at risk for lymphmdema for the rest of your life, when you've had lymph nodes removed. I'd ask my doctor about it.

    Joyce
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #3
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    I think....
    therefore, I am!! (just kidding!) I think this is how it goes. You can develope lympedema years after your surgery. Once you have it, it's for life. Most people will develope it within the first two years. Now this info is from memory....and we all know how that goes!! :) Pammy
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #4
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    lymphedema
    Hi Judy, yes it is very possible and what you are describing sounds like lymphedema. You can develop it many many years after surgery. I have it and have dealt with it for the past 10 years or so. I have several pages of information regarding it on my csn page in the expressions area near the end if you would like to read up on it a bit. I have also listed a web site that will give you a lot of info. I would contact your doctor as well.

    http://www.lymphnet.org/

    Hugs,

    RE

    http://www.lymphnet.org/
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #5
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    Judy
    Hi, dear Creampuff, I also advise checking with your doctor as soon as possible. I have read also that lymphedema can occur at any time. But, if it is lymphedema, physical therapy can be started right away. Whatever the problem, the sooner it is treated, the better.

    I will be thinking of you. Please let us know what you find out.
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #6
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    Lymphedema - a forever risk...
    ... For all breast cancer surgery patients, unfortunately. I agree with the others here, Judy - don't wait for more swelling, or blatantly obvious symptoms (like redness, etc.). Have it checked, the sooner the better. I'll be hoping for the best.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #7
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    Christmas Girl said:

    Lymphedema - a forever risk...
    ... For all breast cancer surgery patients, unfortunately. I agree with the others here, Judy - don't wait for more swelling, or blatantly obvious symptoms (like redness, etc.). Have it checked, the sooner the better. I'll be hoping for the best.

    Kind regards, Susan

    What if bilateral lumpectomies?
    I had lumpectomies and sentinel node biopsies on both sides, with only three nodes taken from one side, four from the other.

    I guess I was assuming that, since I didn't have to have a full ALND and so few nodes were taken, I wasn't really at risk for lymphedema, but am I wrong?

    Also, since it was both sides, I don't have a "good arm" for blood pressure, blood draws, etc. I'll ask my surgeon and/or oncologist about this -- in the meantime, any input?

    Thanks very much,

    Traci
  • creampuff91344
    creampuff91344 Member Posts: 988
    #8
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    TraciInLA said:

    What if bilateral lumpectomies?
    I had lumpectomies and sentinel node biopsies on both sides, with only three nodes taken from one side, four from the other.

    I guess I was assuming that, since I didn't have to have a full ALND and so few nodes were taken, I wasn't really at risk for lymphedema, but am I wrong?

    Also, since it was both sides, I don't have a "good arm" for blood pressure, blood draws, etc. I'll ask my surgeon and/or oncologist about this -- in the meantime, any input?

    Thanks very much,

    Traci

    Traclin, I would check with
    Traclin, I would check with your doctor regarding how to get blood draws, etc, since this is what they have always told me....don't allow blood pressure or blood draws from your b/c arm side. Don't know what you do if you have both, just as there are a lot of bilateral massectomy survivors. What to do?

    I appreciate all of your comments, and have my pcp monitoring my arm now. There is also a scheduled appointment with my oncologist the 17th of August. However, if necessary I will seek medical attention if anything starts to change. This is just so strange, and really started as a "cramp" feeling in my bicep on the outside of my arm. Also, my left arm feels heavy, and I just thought it was weakness due to the surgery and rads and chemo. RE, thank you for the PM, and I will definitely not let this go. I sure don't want more problems than we are all already dealing with. Hugs to all.

    Judy
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #9
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    RE said:

    lymphedema
    Hi Judy, yes it is very possible and what you are describing sounds like lymphedema. You can develop it many many years after surgery. I have it and have dealt with it for the past 10 years or so. I have several pages of information regarding it on my csn page in the expressions area near the end if you would like to read up on it a bit. I have also listed a web site that will give you a lot of info. I would contact your doctor as well.

    http://www.lymphnet.org/

    Hugs,

    RE

    http://www.lymphnet.org/

    What the others say is true
    What the others say is true Judy. I was told that you can develop lymphedema at anytime, even years after the surgery. Talk to your doctor. You don't want it to get worse.

    Good luck!
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #10
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    RE said:

    lymphedema
    Hi Judy, yes it is very possible and what you are describing sounds like lymphedema. You can develop it many many years after surgery. I have it and have dealt with it for the past 10 years or so. I have several pages of information regarding it on my csn page in the expressions area near the end if you would like to read up on it a bit. I have also listed a web site that will give you a lot of info. I would contact your doctor as well.

    http://www.lymphnet.org/

    Hugs,

    RE

    http://www.lymphnet.org/

    I don't have it but I know
    I don't have it but I know it isn't good. You best talk to your doctor. And, I agree with everyone, it can come on at anytime.

    Good luck!
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #11
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    creampuff91344 said:

    Traclin, I would check with
    Traclin, I would check with your doctor regarding how to get blood draws, etc, since this is what they have always told me....don't allow blood pressure or blood draws from your b/c arm side. Don't know what you do if you have both, just as there are a lot of bilateral massectomy survivors. What to do?

    I appreciate all of your comments, and have my pcp monitoring my arm now. There is also a scheduled appointment with my oncologist the 17th of August. However, if necessary I will seek medical attention if anything starts to change. This is just so strange, and really started as a "cramp" feeling in my bicep on the outside of my arm. Also, my left arm feels heavy, and I just thought it was weakness due to the surgery and rads and chemo. RE, thank you for the PM, and I will definitely not let this go. I sure don't want more problems than we are all already dealing with. Hugs to all.

    Judy

    Sounds like you don't need
    Sounds like you don't need my 2$ worth (this is with inflation). Hope nothing is wrong. Hugs.
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #12
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    Lymphedema
    Judy, If you think you are having funny feelings in your arm or chest, it's best to check it out as soon as possible. I've read that if it is lymphedema, it is easier to treat caught early. Take care. Lynn
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #13
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    creampuff91344 said:

    Traclin, I would check with
    Traclin, I would check with your doctor regarding how to get blood draws, etc, since this is what they have always told me....don't allow blood pressure or blood draws from your b/c arm side. Don't know what you do if you have both, just as there are a lot of bilateral massectomy survivors. What to do?

    I appreciate all of your comments, and have my pcp monitoring my arm now. There is also a scheduled appointment with my oncologist the 17th of August. However, if necessary I will seek medical attention if anything starts to change. This is just so strange, and really started as a "cramp" feeling in my bicep on the outside of my arm. Also, my left arm feels heavy, and I just thought it was weakness due to the surgery and rads and chemo. RE, thank you for the PM, and I will definitely not let this go. I sure don't want more problems than we are all already dealing with. Hugs to all.

    Judy

    Yes, Judy, please let your
    Yes, Judy, please let your doctor know about this. You just never know what it could be.
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #14
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    Judy, you had probably
    Judy, you had probably better call your doctor about this. Lymphedema can be very painful, but, if caught early, there are certain things they can do to help you. Good luck and keep us posted!
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #15
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    creampuff91344 said:

    Traclin, I would check with
    Traclin, I would check with your doctor regarding how to get blood draws, etc, since this is what they have always told me....don't allow blood pressure or blood draws from your b/c arm side. Don't know what you do if you have both, just as there are a lot of bilateral massectomy survivors. What to do?

    I appreciate all of your comments, and have my pcp monitoring my arm now. There is also a scheduled appointment with my oncologist the 17th of August. However, if necessary I will seek medical attention if anything starts to change. This is just so strange, and really started as a "cramp" feeling in my bicep on the outside of my arm. Also, my left arm feels heavy, and I just thought it was weakness due to the surgery and rads and chemo. RE, thank you for the PM, and I will definitely not let this go. I sure don't want more problems than we are all already dealing with. Hugs to all.

    Judy

    I was told to never have
    I was told to never have blood drawn, blood pressure taken, no shots or anything where I had some lymph nodes taken out. Never! It can cause problems.
  • creampuff91344
    creampuff91344 Member Posts: 988
    #16
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    Alexis F said:

    Judy, you had probably
    Judy, you had probably better call your doctor about this. Lymphedema can be very painful, but, if caught early, there are certain things they can do to help you. Good luck and keep us posted!

    Well, just came from the
    Well, just came from the doctor, and it is not lympedema, but rather it is a pulled muscle in the middle of my back that radiates up to the shoulder and then down the middle of my outer arm. They recommend a good massage therapist, and some physical theraphy. Thought all of you would get a kick out of the question the doctor asked...."Have you been under a lot of stress lately?" I'm sure it took me a few seconds to compute that question, and I asked him to read through my file once more. Red faced, and a bit apologitic, he told me that definitely the miscle spasams could be caused from "chemo/rads/hormone theraphy/neurological disease caused by meds/etc, etc. You think? Just wanted to check back in with my report. Hope all are doing well. Hugs. Judy
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #17
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    creampuff91344 said:

    Well, just came from the
    Well, just came from the doctor, and it is not lympedema, but rather it is a pulled muscle in the middle of my back that radiates up to the shoulder and then down the middle of my outer arm. They recommend a good massage therapist, and some physical theraphy. Thought all of you would get a kick out of the question the doctor asked...."Have you been under a lot of stress lately?" I'm sure it took me a few seconds to compute that question, and I asked him to read through my file once more. Red faced, and a bit apologitic, he told me that definitely the miscle spasams could be caused from "chemo/rads/hormone theraphy/neurological disease caused by meds/etc, etc. You think? Just wanted to check back in with my report. Hope all are doing well. Hugs. Judy

    GLAD TO HEAR!
    So pleased to hear it is not lymphedema that is great news. I bet that your doctor will think more and pose his questions a bit carefully at least for the rest of the day. Thank you for the update.

    Hugs,

    RE
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #18
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    RE said:

    GLAD TO HEAR!
    So pleased to hear it is not lymphedema that is great news. I bet that your doctor will think more and pose his questions a bit carefully at least for the rest of the day. Thank you for the update.

    Hugs,

    RE

    Thanks for the update Judy!
    Thanks for the update Judy! Yea, I bet your doctor will look next time before he asks a bc survivor that question.

    And, RE, how do you know if you have lymphedema? What if your arm doesn't swell, but, it is numb from the elbow on up?

    Diane
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #19
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    creampuff91344 said:

    Well, just came from the
    Well, just came from the doctor, and it is not lympedema, but rather it is a pulled muscle in the middle of my back that radiates up to the shoulder and then down the middle of my outer arm. They recommend a good massage therapist, and some physical theraphy. Thought all of you would get a kick out of the question the doctor asked...."Have you been under a lot of stress lately?" I'm sure it took me a few seconds to compute that question, and I asked him to read through my file once more. Red faced, and a bit apologitic, he told me that definitely the miscle spasams could be caused from "chemo/rads/hormone theraphy/neurological disease caused by meds/etc, etc. You think? Just wanted to check back in with my report. Hope all are doing well. Hugs. Judy

    Good news, Judy
    Though sorry for your discomfort, glad it's not lymphedema.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #20
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    Christmas Girl said:

    Good news, Judy
    Though sorry for your discomfort, glad it's not lymphedema.

    Kind regards, Susan

    Very good news Judy!

    Very good news Judy!
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #21
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    creampuff91344 said:

    Well, just came from the
    Well, just came from the doctor, and it is not lympedema, but rather it is a pulled muscle in the middle of my back that radiates up to the shoulder and then down the middle of my outer arm. They recommend a good massage therapist, and some physical theraphy. Thought all of you would get a kick out of the question the doctor asked...."Have you been under a lot of stress lately?" I'm sure it took me a few seconds to compute that question, and I asked him to read through my file once more. Red faced, and a bit apologitic, he told me that definitely the miscle spasams could be caused from "chemo/rads/hormone theraphy/neurological disease caused by meds/etc, etc. You think? Just wanted to check back in with my report. Hope all are doing well. Hugs. Judy

    Happy for you!!
    So glad to hear it is not lymphedema!! Ohhh...and message therapy!! What a way to treat a problem!! :) Pammy

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