Swell question

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childofthestars
childofthestars Member Posts: 251 Member
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hello again
I have another question (another complaint!) I would like to ask. Have any of you ladies suffered with bloating (not of the tummy area) generally all over the body especially fingers - my rings sometimes feel tight but not always and my arms and legs are slightly bigger than usual and it's not weight gain but fluid retention. This along with my aches and pains started about 2 weeks AFTER i finished my final chemo treatment on 8 Dec 2010. I am getting COMPLETELY fed up with the whole thing and just want to screeeeeeeam!!!!
By the way I had a lovely aromatherapy massage today which really helped alleviate some of my symptoms for a few hours. I think I will have another massage in the next week or 2.
Mx

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  • zinaida
    zinaida Member Posts: 221
    #2
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    3 years and 6 month ago I
    3 years and 6 month ago I finished my first chemo treatments and I get big, from 150lb to 170lb., my rings become to small for me. Most woman after first line of chemo gained weight. But you need talk to your doctor , make sure it is not lymphedema. (((HUGS))), Zina.
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980
    #3
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    How many lymph nodes did you have removed?
    I had 25 lymph nodes removed during my original debulking surgery in October 2008. I noticed swelling in my feet and ankles not long after I finished my 6 carbo/taxols and bought myself some compression travel socks that really helped with the swelling. When I made a 12-hour flight to Greece to celebrate my 1st remission, I was freaked out to see the area over my pelvic mound swell up also (not so much that it showed in my slacks, but enough to scare me.) When I got home I talked with my gyne-onc about it and he said the pelvic swelling was also probably lympodema and didn't seem very concerned, and it did go down on its own. He blamed the lympodema as much on the pelvic radiation of the nodes as on the surgical removal of 25 of them. I did some research and asked for a referral to a certifed lymphodema specialist. The specialist told me that lymphodema in the pelvic region is very common in gynecologic cancers and suggested that I wear Spanx or other compression-like garments as well as compression socks and really recomended compression panty hose but I got a pair and hated them. (I don't wear the Spanx that often, but sure do LOVE how SVELT they make me look!)

    You may not have lymphodema, but it's worth checking out. Lymphodema is not curable, but it is completely controllable with compression garments when caught early. I don't mind the socks; they sell designs that look just like trouser socks and make your legs feel great. My ankles and calves are a little tiny bit thicker than they used to be, but otherwise I've been able to keep it completely under control for over a year now. An additional note: my lymphodema is also exaccerbated by the recurrence I've had since in several of my lymph nodes. (((Mx)))
  • childofthestars
    childofthestars Member Posts: 251 Member
    #4
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    lindaprocopio said:

    How many lymph nodes did you have removed?
    I had 25 lymph nodes removed during my original debulking surgery in October 2008. I noticed swelling in my feet and ankles not long after I finished my 6 carbo/taxols and bought myself some compression travel socks that really helped with the swelling. When I made a 12-hour flight to Greece to celebrate my 1st remission, I was freaked out to see the area over my pelvic mound swell up also (not so much that it showed in my slacks, but enough to scare me.) When I got home I talked with my gyne-onc about it and he said the pelvic swelling was also probably lympodema and didn't seem very concerned, and it did go down on its own. He blamed the lympodema as much on the pelvic radiation of the nodes as on the surgical removal of 25 of them. I did some research and asked for a referral to a certifed lymphodema specialist. The specialist told me that lymphodema in the pelvic region is very common in gynecologic cancers and suggested that I wear Spanx or other compression-like garments as well as compression socks and really recomended compression panty hose but I got a pair and hated them. (I don't wear the Spanx that often, but sure do LOVE how SVELT they make me look!)

    You may not have lymphodema, but it's worth checking out. Lymphodema is not curable, but it is completely controllable with compression garments when caught early. I don't mind the socks; they sell designs that look just like trouser socks and make your legs feel great. My ankles and calves are a little tiny bit thicker than they used to be, but otherwise I've been able to keep it completely under control for over a year now. An additional note: my lymphodema is also exaccerbated by the recurrence I've had since in several of my lymph nodes. (((Mx)))

    Swell question
    Hi Linda
    Thank you for your reply, i'm sorry to hear that you have lymphodema. I really don't think that is my problem although i will get it checked out. I only had a few lymph nodes removed at surgery and they were all clear and the swelling is all over my body not just my lower half. It is really making me miserable :( I think i may need to take water pills but i will speak my doctor on Monday.
    Have a good weekend.
    Mx
  • childofthestars
    childofthestars Member Posts: 251 Member
    #5
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    zinaida said:

    3 years and 6 month ago I
    3 years and 6 month ago I finished my first chemo treatments and I get big, from 150lb to 170lb., my rings become to small for me. Most woman after first line of chemo gained weight. But you need talk to your doctor , make sure it is not lymphedema. (((HUGS))), Zina.

    Swell question
    Hi Zina
    Thank you for your reply. I also gained about 20lbs and it is so frustrating and i am tying very hard to lose weight but i am just bloated and can't seem to shift it! I am hoping that my doctor will have some answers for me on Monday, i will keep you posted.
    Have a good weekend.
    Mx
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #6
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    childofthestars said:

    Swell question
    Hi Zina
    Thank you for your reply. I also gained about 20lbs and it is so frustrating and i am tying very hard to lose weight but i am just bloated and can't seem to shift it! I am hoping that my doctor will have some answers for me on Monday, i will keep you posted.
    Have a good weekend.
    Mx

    Hi Mx
    I have often pondered this swell question. There have been times I was was bloated everywhere, I was sure i was going to pop and all the fluid was going to be full of cancer. For me, it is a combination of the chemo I am on, my excersise or lack there of, and the humidity. I have a very sensitive body to heat, and even before my dx, i just blew up in the summer. Come fall, all the bloating naturally disappeared, ike hot air out of a balloon.

    I have found that walking as much as i can, getting horizontal several times a day even for 10 minutes, accupuncture, drinking fresh water, and not eating haeavy foods have really made a difference. When I was on doxil, i was the worst. I could not walk because of swollen feet, and the chemo itself seemed to cause a bit of swelling. I was sitting in my chair A LoT and that could not have helped with all the water retention.

    My accupuncture doctor always says, "ki ga mawatte nai" (Your energy is not circulating) "Ki" can also mean feelings, or blood, or fluid or anything in your body. Picture a stagnant lake.When you have cancer, things can get stagnant, and the you need to do everything you can to get things flowing again.

    Let us know what your doc says,
    kathleen
  • childofthestars
    childofthestars Member Posts: 251 Member
    #7
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    kayandok said:

    Hi Mx
    I have often pondered this swell question. There have been times I was was bloated everywhere, I was sure i was going to pop and all the fluid was going to be full of cancer. For me, it is a combination of the chemo I am on, my excersise or lack there of, and the humidity. I have a very sensitive body to heat, and even before my dx, i just blew up in the summer. Come fall, all the bloating naturally disappeared, ike hot air out of a balloon.

    I have found that walking as much as i can, getting horizontal several times a day even for 10 minutes, accupuncture, drinking fresh water, and not eating haeavy foods have really made a difference. When I was on doxil, i was the worst. I could not walk because of swollen feet, and the chemo itself seemed to cause a bit of swelling. I was sitting in my chair A LoT and that could not have helped with all the water retention.

    My accupuncture doctor always says, "ki ga mawatte nai" (Your energy is not circulating) "Ki" can also mean feelings, or blood, or fluid or anything in your body. Picture a stagnant lake.When you have cancer, things can get stagnant, and the you need to do everything you can to get things flowing again.

    Let us know what your doc says,
    kathleen

    Swell question
    Spoke to my chemo nurse today who then spoke to my oncologist - basically he was not surprised by my symptoms! The generalised swelling, muscle aches, joint pains and tiredness are quite common post completion of taxol/carbo treatment and are indicative of getting arthritis in later life (the joint pain symptom) - oh joy something else to look forward to!!!!! Apparently these side effects are not told to patients in general as they may or may not occur and they don't want to freak people out prior to or during treatment. The oncologist said that it should all settle down in time (not too long I hope). As for the loss of eye lashes and eyebrows 2 weeks after completion of entire treatment they are a bit stumped BUT everyone is different and i suppose we all react in different ways.
    I'm totally in agreement with the fact that energy gets blocked when we are not well and it is so important to try and keep a positive outlook and try and keep as 'healthy' as possible. We can only but try !!!
    Have a lovely weekend.
    Michelle x
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #8
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    childofthestars said:

    Swell question
    Spoke to my chemo nurse today who then spoke to my oncologist - basically he was not surprised by my symptoms! The generalised swelling, muscle aches, joint pains and tiredness are quite common post completion of taxol/carbo treatment and are indicative of getting arthritis in later life (the joint pain symptom) - oh joy something else to look forward to!!!!! Apparently these side effects are not told to patients in general as they may or may not occur and they don't want to freak people out prior to or during treatment. The oncologist said that it should all settle down in time (not too long I hope). As for the loss of eye lashes and eyebrows 2 weeks after completion of entire treatment they are a bit stumped BUT everyone is different and i suppose we all react in different ways.
    I'm totally in agreement with the fact that energy gets blocked when we are not well and it is so important to try and keep a positive outlook and try and keep as 'healthy' as possible. We can only but try !!!
    Have a lovely weekend.
    Michelle x

    Michelle....I did not lose
    Michelle....I did not lose the last of my hair and lashes until after I had finished the whole 6 rounds of Carbo/Taxol. After 11 doses of Taxol maintenance, I have fuzz that comes and goes on my head, but no body hair and no lashes or eyebrows.

    Carlene
  • childofthestars
    childofthestars Member Posts: 251 Member
    #9
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    Hissy_Fitz said:

    Michelle....I did not lose
    Michelle....I did not lose the last of my hair and lashes until after I had finished the whole 6 rounds of Carbo/Taxol. After 11 doses of Taxol maintenance, I have fuzz that comes and goes on my head, but no body hair and no lashes or eyebrows.

    Carlene

    Hair or lack of
    Hi Carlene
    You are the only person i've spoken to who has experienced the loss of lashes and brows AFTER completion of treatment - i think people think i'm making it up when i say i lost mine AFTER finishing so thanks for your reply - i'm not mad or odd!!!!
    I'm having quite a good day today as i sit here typing i am putting colour on my hair, I probably shouldn't do this but i can't stand looking at all the grey fuzz!!!! I have also noticed that my eyelashes seem to be returning i even tried a little masacara but it didn't really notice as the lashes are really just tiny stubs. I am sick of people saying are you tired or have you been crying, i normally wear false lashes but am trying to give them a miss for the time being to let my lashes grow with being covered in glue!! As for the rest of the body hair - no sign as yet but i'm sure it will come back in abundance.
    Take care.
    Michelle x
  • cheri28
    cheri28 Member Posts: 3
    #10
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    pain and eyebrow loss
    Was glad to read about someone else having pain. We actually have the same Anniversary for our last Chemo - mine was December 8th also. I just started feeling like myself about a week ago and this week am now having pain in my legs and some numbness has returned to my left foot. As for the eyebrows, I did not loose them completely. Eyelashes were lost before the last treatment. Hair starting to grow back. Wish you the best. May have to keep comparing notes!
  • childofthestars
    childofthestars Member Posts: 251 Member
    #11
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    cheri28 said:

    pain and eyebrow loss
    Was glad to read about someone else having pain. We actually have the same Anniversary for our last Chemo - mine was December 8th also. I just started feeling like myself about a week ago and this week am now having pain in my legs and some numbness has returned to my left foot. As for the eyebrows, I did not loose them completely. Eyelashes were lost before the last treatment. Hair starting to grow back. Wish you the best. May have to keep comparing notes!

    Pain and eyebrow loss
    Hi Cheri
    What type of treatment did you have, I had weekly Taxol and then every 3rd week Carboplatin was added in, this went on for 18 weeks. I had my surgery in August. Thankfully I have not suffered with any numbness (to date!) so hopefully missed out on that delight. The pain is really a nightmare - I don't feel unwell in myself but the constant discomfort and pain is making me quite miserable, today it's been quite bad but yesterday it was quite good who knows what tomorrow will bring. I coloured my hair last night and actually went out in public for dinner last night and to a friends BBQ today. I must admit I do feel quite self concious as hair is soooo short but it feels so much better not wearing a wig.
    Take care.
    Michelle

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