has anyone had PT for lymphadema or cording?

crazylady55

I had a lumpectomy with lymph node disection(they took 17 with only the sentinel node positive) in Oct., TAC chemo from Nov.to March and a right mastectomy in April. I have had 18 of 30 radiation treatments. I have been doing self care with massage and exercise since before I started radiation because I had a consult with a therapist before the mastectomy. I was so proud of my great range of motion in my arm until last week. I am now stiff and sore. The doctor told me that I have mild lymphadema and cording in my arm. I saw a physical therapist yesterday and she said I also have lymphadema and inflammation in my rib cage. She has recommended PT twice a week until I finish radiation and then every day for two weeks.

Has anyone had experience with PT or OT for lymphadema? Did it help?

tatooedinpink

your lymphedema
Yes it helps and you really must go consistently and regularly. Search lymphedema and you will find much info here. I have asked some questions and you will see all responses and some other posts.

I have mild lymphedema and am going back for PT next week. I wasn't a very good patient the first round and I am going to do better this time. You must get control of it, so take the professional help.

There are many complications and long term effects if you don't manage it.

Good luck with your treatments.

Hugs,

Debbie

tatooedinpink

your lymphedema
Yes it helps and you really must go consistently and regularly. Search lymphedema and you will find much info here. I have asked some questions and you will see all responses and some other posts.

I have mild lymphedema and am going back for PT next week. I wasn't a very good patient the first round and I am going to do better this time. You must get control of it, so take the professional help.

There are many complications and long term effects if you don't manage it.

Good luck with your treatments.

Hugs,

Debbie

rjjj

yes i do
I thought i was the only one who also has it in my rib cage. I thought i had a tumor the size of a basketball at first!! ( paranoid ****!!) but found out it was JUST lymphedemia. but when said i could also get a garmet for this kinda like a corsett, but not as tight. I asked her if there was a boobie attached and she said matter of fact, there was a garmet on the line of a corsett, that i could be measured for that also held a prosthesis. oh my God!! i will feel like a walking mummy!! please help me. I want to for-go treatmment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Marcia527

Yes to PT, no to lymphadema
I went to a PT that specializes in lymphadema because I lost range of motion in my arm after surgery. They showed me before and after pictures of patients. It was amazing how much they helped.

ritazimm

Had it
I did have the PT for the lymphedema and cording and I thought it was both wonderful and helpful. I did enjoy the messages that were done as well as the training to do the exercises at home. I had a hard time knowing what I should and shouldn't do until I had the PT. Most of my cording issues/pain was after the PT but since I did have some while in therapy I at least knew what it was all about. I had quite a lot of pain from the cording but I am happy to say that it didn't last too awfully long. Since I had been through the PT I knew how to deal with them and made my hubby message them until I could straighten my arm fully again. Since I didn't baby it, once it went away, I have no limitations from them. With as much as they hurt at the time and it was very difficult to straighten my arm fully, I thought I was never going to be able to straighten it again.....but it is fine now. Anyway...I thought that the PT was well worth the time and expense.

Good luck!
Rita

djteach

Hi,
I had 21/2 weeks of PT
Hi,
I had 21/2 weeks of PT for mild lymphadema and it made all the difference in the world. I highly recommend it. If you get it taken care of now, you will be able to do the exercises yourself. It has been 2 years since my therapy and my arm is doing great. I wear the garment when I remember, but I do the massage everyday. I hope it works for you as well as it did for me. Let us know what you think.

Love and gentle hugs,
Donna

RE

lymphedema
I have had lymphedema for about 9 years. My oncologist usually sends me to PT for two to three times a year for 6 weeks going twice a week. The PT measures my arm and hand and administers a gentle circular message which helps the lymph fluid move through my arm. He also has me do several gentle stretching exercises to regain range of motion, once this is done my arm is iced for 15 minutes. At the end of the six week I am remeasured and it is always evident that the treatment has helped as the swelling is always less. Treatment is not painful and very helpful. Hope this has been helpful!

RE

crazylady55

Thanks for all the responses
I start therapy on Tuesday. I can't wait to get started because my arm is pretty sore and Motrin is no longer helping. I will let you all know how it goes.

dmc_emmy

rjjj said:

yes i do
I thought i was the only one who also has it in my rib cage. I thought i had a tumor the size of a basketball at first!! ( paranoid ****!!) but found out it was JUST lymphedemia. but when said i could also get a garmet for this kinda like a corsett, but not as tight. I asked her if there was a boobie attached and she said matter of fact, there was a garmet on the line of a corsett, that i could be measured for that also held a prosthesis. oh my God!! i will feel like a walking mummy!! please help me. I want to for-go treatmment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I laughed so hard...
I laughed so hard that I couldn't read your post a-loud to my daughter without laughing all the way through it...I haven't had such a good laugh since I don't know when...I have tears!

Anyway, I have the same thing. Who would have thought, lymphodemia in my rib cage. At first, I thought I was just getting fatter, but it was only on one side. That made no sense. Then, I was told that my organs were shifting because I lost my spleen in a car accident in '96. That made sense, except for the fact that the lump (more like huge a bulge that looks like a breast, except that it's in the wrong place) didn't occur until after my second bout with lymphodemia. It's directly below my mastectomy, so it looks like my body is going through some radical juxtaposing process and it's not pretty.

Thanks for the explanation! As for treatment, you're right, the PT really does work. The first time I got the lymphodemia, I just bought a compression sleeve (as per dr suggestion) and was miserable for weeks. When it returned, I did my research and found out about PT. It was a miracle.

As for that corsett idea--I did that last summer when I flew and I couldn't wait to take it off. Adding on layers and heading South just do not go together. As soon as I arrived at my destination, I headed for the ladies room to take it off. I could barely breathe. I'm flying again this summmer and I'm not looking forward to wearing that horrid garment of torture. I can't believe that women actually wear those things just to look good!

dmc