Lymphodema question

dyaneb123
dyaneb123 Member Posts: 950
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
During my surgery the DR. accidently cut a vein while removing the lymph nodes. It caused a huge hematoma that took forever to clear up and they are very concerned about my developing problems with lymphodema. So far it's just numbness and tingling...no swelling or soreness, and I have full range of motion with the arm...I'm not using any kind of arm cuff thingy..The question is exercise...Yoga? Is this kind of motion or weight on the arm bad or good?Could I cause harm to the arm with a downward dog?I'm a very active type(hyperactive type?)always with a zillion projects going, so this no weight on the arm frustrates me....
Does anybody do a yoga class or other exercise class?
Thanks, Dee

Comments

  • babebussie
    babebussie Member Posts: 150
    Ouch!! They did what. I just
    Ouch!! They did what. I just want to tell you to take care of the arm. I dont think you should put any real strain on it. Give it some time to get back in gear before you go lifting weights (smile).

    Good luck luv,
    Babe
  • ritazimm
    ritazimm Member Posts: 171
    Agree with Babe
    Sorry Dee but I agree with Babe. It seems too soon for you to start any exercises. I had mastectomy with 28 nodes removed and I do have lymphedema. I didn't do a lot with that arm prior to the lymphedema but amybe too much? It is impossible to tell if I did too much or if it was inevitable and just happened but I guess if I could do it over, I would REALLY baby that arm for as long as I could. I would also HIGHLY recommend that you see a arm/lymphedema therapist if you have one near you. They teach you a lymphedema massage that can help if you do get it and they are not dure but could possibly help prevent it too. It just shows the body where to direct the lymph fluid.

    My other recommendation is to watch for the swelling of the arm and/or hand and act on it as soon as you notice any swelling at all. I waited too long but did manage to get it under control. I do have to wear my sleeve and glove at night but this keeps it under control so I don't have to wear it during the day. Thank God!!!

    I have decided that I am not going to let the lymphedema limit my life (unless it can get me out of something I don't want to do) so now I pretty much do what I have always done but I do keep it in mind and try not to overdo it. When i do notice any additional swelling, I take it easy and elevate the arm on the back of the sofa for an evening of TV watching or relaxing with a book. So far, so good.

    Try to be patient and give the body plenty of time to adjust to the changes prior to resuming much activity. It could pay off in the end and if not, at least you will know that you did everything that you could to avoid it.

    God bless,
    Rita
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    ritazimm said:

    Agree with Babe
    Sorry Dee but I agree with Babe. It seems too soon for you to start any exercises. I had mastectomy with 28 nodes removed and I do have lymphedema. I didn't do a lot with that arm prior to the lymphedema but amybe too much? It is impossible to tell if I did too much or if it was inevitable and just happened but I guess if I could do it over, I would REALLY baby that arm for as long as I could. I would also HIGHLY recommend that you see a arm/lymphedema therapist if you have one near you. They teach you a lymphedema massage that can help if you do get it and they are not dure but could possibly help prevent it too. It just shows the body where to direct the lymph fluid.

    My other recommendation is to watch for the swelling of the arm and/or hand and act on it as soon as you notice any swelling at all. I waited too long but did manage to get it under control. I do have to wear my sleeve and glove at night but this keeps it under control so I don't have to wear it during the day. Thank God!!!

    I have decided that I am not going to let the lymphedema limit my life (unless it can get me out of something I don't want to do) so now I pretty much do what I have always done but I do keep it in mind and try not to overdo it. When i do notice any additional swelling, I take it easy and elevate the arm on the back of the sofa for an evening of TV watching or relaxing with a book. So far, so good.

    Try to be patient and give the body plenty of time to adjust to the changes prior to resuming much activity. It could pay off in the end and if not, at least you will know that you did everything that you could to avoid it.

    God bless,
    Rita

    Dee!!!!
    You may have to stop 'Erecting' stuff for a while there. I had lymphedema and it was ghastly! But (Touch wood) it seems to have gone away now, I can even lift huge bales of trip-mix...they must weigh at least 80lbs.
    You need to rest it for a while and see how you go.

    Hugs Jxxxxxxxx
  • dyaneb123
    dyaneb123 Member Posts: 950
    Thanks Guys
    My Dr. is going to schedule me an appointment with a lymphodema therapist sometime soon so
    I guess no Yoga unless they give the green light. It is very frustrating for me...especially living alone...I'm used to toting heavy loads too. Que sera sera as they say in Spain....
    Dee
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    dyaneb123 said:

    Thanks Guys
    My Dr. is going to schedule me an appointment with a lymphodema therapist sometime soon so
    I guess no Yoga unless they give the green light. It is very frustrating for me...especially living alone...I'm used to toting heavy loads too. Que sera sera as they say in Spain....
    Dee

    Hey, Dee...
    While you're waiting for that appointment...

    RE has previously posted valuable information regarding lymphedema here on the board. So, you could search back for them. Or, type "lymphedema" in the Breast Cancer Group search bar and they should pop up. Also, the American Cancer Society "home" site (cancer.org) includes great info.

    When I attended my first consultation/training session for lymphedema prevention, I actually cried - overwhelmed by the impact on my day-to-day life (as if breast cancer isn't ENOUGH!). The very sympathetically kind nurse assured me that eventually I'd find a way to adjust, and the preventative practices would become second nature - that I wouldn't even have to think about them. She was right.

    Best wishes to you.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • tatooedinpink
    tatooedinpink Member Posts: 95
    with your dr or therapist's permission of course
    you might see if your yoga studio has a restorative or gentle yoga. it is quite helpful to retain your range of motion and gentle on your body. warn your teacher about your limitation and request alternate poses/suggestions.

    good luck with your arm. take care,

    debbie
  • This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • stox4bux
    stox4bux Member Posts: 29
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Lymphedema
    I have a question to Julie or anyone else who can enlighten me.

    I was operated on 3/31 - lumpectomy with 21 lymph nodes removed. I am terrified of getting lymphedema and so, this evening, while out walking I get stung on my arm by my some vicious mosquito (or similar beast). Fortunately it was the other arm but, what if it had not been? Could a sting induce lymphedema?

    Gitta
  • dyaneb123
    dyaneb123 Member Posts: 950
    Thanks Julie
    I will check

    Thanks Julie
    I will check out your site. I appreciate the info
  • dyaneb123
    dyaneb123 Member Posts: 950

    with your dr or therapist's permission of course
    you might see if your yoga studio has a restorative or gentle yoga. it is quite helpful to retain your range of motion and gentle on your body. warn your teacher about your limitation and request alternate poses/suggestions.

    good luck with your arm. take care,

    debbie

    thanks Debbie
    We have a wellness center near by that offers exercise and yoga classes so I will try to get there...I just feel like such a slug after 3 weeks of recovery from the surgery. But now I'll be starting chemo in June so that's something else to worry about...sigh...
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    stox4bux said:

    Lymphedema
    I have a question to Julie or anyone else who can enlighten me.

    I was operated on 3/31 - lumpectomy with 21 lymph nodes removed. I am terrified of getting lymphedema and so, this evening, while out walking I get stung on my arm by my some vicious mosquito (or similar beast). Fortunately it was the other arm but, what if it had not been? Could a sting induce lymphedema?

    Gitta

    Hi, Gitta
    Sorry about the bug bite.

    I don't have lymphedema, but do practice everyday precautions - including Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), a self-massage technique, on the surgery affected side (had 15 total nodes removed). If you scroll through the threads here on the board, RE posted very valuable information not too long ago. Also, this site - the American Cancer Society - includes good info, too. Just go to "home" and type lymphedema in the search bar. I can also highly recommend a great book: "Lymphedema - A Breast Cancer Patient's Guide to Prevention and Healing" by Jeannie Burt & Gwen White, P.T.

    Yes - try to avoid/prevent bug bites, cuts, scrapes, etc. on your affected side. If these things DO happen, and they invariably will, it's important to give the bite or cut immediate attention; i.e., cleanse to protect against infection, etc. ...

    Kind regards, Susan
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Welcome, Julie
    And, congratulations! on 8 years of survivorship. I'll surely check out your site.

    I was a volunteer participant in a national clinical study for Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), the self-massage technique, as a preventative measure. This was almost 6 years ago.

    Do you recommend wearing compression garments while active? I use both a sleeve and gauntlet while exercising, gardening, riding my bike, etc. ... These activities are not nearly as intense as what you do! I'm just curious, because you make no mention of them...

    Kind regards, Susan
  • stox4bux
    stox4bux Member Posts: 29

    Hi, Gitta
    Sorry about the bug bite.

    I don't have lymphedema, but do practice everyday precautions - including Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), a self-massage technique, on the surgery affected side (had 15 total nodes removed). If you scroll through the threads here on the board, RE posted very valuable information not too long ago. Also, this site - the American Cancer Society - includes good info, too. Just go to "home" and type lymphedema in the search bar. I can also highly recommend a great book: "Lymphedema - A Breast Cancer Patient's Guide to Prevention and Healing" by Jeannie Burt & Gwen White, P.T.

    Yes - try to avoid/prevent bug bites, cuts, scrapes, etc. on your affected side. If these things DO happen, and they invariably will, it's important to give the bite or cut immediate attention; i.e., cleanse to protect against infection, etc. ...

    Kind regards, Susan

    Hi Susan
    Thanks for the

    Hi Susan
    Thanks for the advise and the book recommendation. I will definitely get the book to keep around - just in case.

    All the best,
    Gitta
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    dyaneb123 said:

    Thanks Guys
    My Dr. is going to schedule me an appointment with a lymphodema therapist sometime soon so
    I guess no Yoga unless they give the green light. It is very frustrating for me...especially living alone...I'm used to toting heavy loads too. Que sera sera as they say in Spain....
    Dee

    Ok Dee, what part of Spain?
    Ok Dee, what part of Spain? I was born in Argentina, but my family is from Nigran, Pontevedra. My hubby is from Orense. Abrazos, Lili

    BTW: Any exercise is a no-no until you get the OK from your surgeon. Not to burst your bubble, but I had my mastectomy in June 2007, and didn't go back to the gym until 12/08. I now can lift certain nautilus machines with 35 lbs and others with only 20 lbs which is the minimum. You don't want to develop lymphedema, because it never really goes away. Take your time, go for walks if you feel antsy and in the mood to do something, but be careful with the lifting.