DO NOT use arm on side you had surgery on for BP etc

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  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    #22
    Denise, I was told the same
    Denise, I was told the same thing....no blood draws, blood pressure, injections, etc. in left arm (cancer side). My surgeon told me that from the date of surgery forward, I needed to be very protective of that arm. No excessive lifting and if I cut that arm I was to immediately have it seen. I had 2 levels of lymph nodes removed at the time of the bilateral mastectomy. I do have pedicures but do NOT let them cut the cuticles. I have not traveled via airplane since surgery and am somewhat concerned about this. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    #23
    I am adamant about this.
    I not only tell them it's one arm only, but with my bad veins, I tell them how I want it done - pediatric needle, back of my hand. A few months ago, a lab tech did it his way and I had a softball sized bruise between inner elbow and wrist that lasted for weeks. I took a picture of it, wrote a letter to the hospital and stated that this tech would not listen to me.

    I got a letter of apology, but I think I wounded either his male or professional pride. Too bad. I'm not letting that happen to me again. I ask for a hot pack or a ball to 'pump' and I am amazed at how many lab techs don't use them, don't want to use them or even have them on hand.

    It's just one more thing you need to stand up for.

    Sue
  • kt1127
    kt1127 Member Posts: 51
    #24
    I had two lymph nodes out
    I had two lymph nodes out and dr told me NEVER use the arm for needles. Sorry about your veins but I would not use it if you can
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #25
    MyTurnNow said:

    Denise, I was told the same
    Denise, I was told the same thing....no blood draws, blood pressure, injections, etc. in left arm (cancer side). My surgeon told me that from the date of surgery forward, I needed to be very protective of that arm. No excessive lifting and if I cut that arm I was to immediately have it seen. I had 2 levels of lymph nodes removed at the time of the bilateral mastectomy. I do have pedicures but do NOT let them cut the cuticles. I have not traveled via airplane since surgery and am somewhat concerned about this. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

    I don't have lymphedema
    I don't have lymphedema MyTurn, and, I have flown with no problem. I am not for sure if that is rare or not, but, it hasn't bothered me. But, talk to your oncologist about it.


    Hugs, Diane
  • cabbott
    cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
    #26
    How about your legs?
    One friend told me she had to have blood pressure taken in her leg because of breast surgery on both sides. I bet blood can be taken from other veins too. Babies get blood drawn from the soles of their feet. I wonder if they can get blood from the veins in my ankles? The veins there certainly seem prominent enough! Maybe it would make them shrink!!!
  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #27
    so what do you do when you
    so what do you do when you had a double mastectomy with bilateral SNB?
  • pokrydi
    pokrydi Member Posts: 99
    #28
    kt1127 said:

    I had two lymph nodes out
    I had two lymph nodes out and dr told me NEVER use the arm for needles. Sorry about your veins but I would not use it if you can

    I just had 21 lymph nods
    I just had 21 lymph nods taken out 1/14/11 and can't remember where but a nurse told me not to use that arm for blood pressure or anything am I ever going to get strong enough to play golf again?????
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #29
    cinnamonsmile said:

    so what do you do when you
    so what do you do when you had a double mastectomy with bilateral SNB?

    Like yourself, Cinnamonsmile
    I have my blood pressure taken at my ankles. Werid thing is ... many health care professionals have a difficult time getting my pressure on my ankles, and it takes several tries. Also, please note that blood pressure is slight higher at the ankles, just a medical fact -- most Doctors are aware of.


    Please have your pre op nurse mark your arms with colored tape .. before surgery, noting that blood pressure must be taken on ankles. Worked for me ..

    It's our health, our body .. so we need to be vigilant about what goes in, and on our bodies .. now... Blood pressure cuff, is torture! Yikes

    Strength and Courage,

    Vicki Sam
  • Dawne.Hope
    Dawne.Hope Member Posts: 823
    #30
    cinnamonsmile said:

    so what do you do when you
    so what do you do when you had a double mastectomy with bilateral SNB?

    just say no!
    Dear cinnamonsmile -

    I had a DMX with bilateral SNB and I have lymphedema in the fingers of my cancer side. My BS doesn't believe me, my PS said "it is minor, don't worry about it." So little is known ... the conventional wisdom in the U.S. is that if you just get the sentinels removed, you're not at risk. Not true!

    I've found the following website incredibly helpful. The U.S. lags behind Europe in its knowledge of and treatment for lymphedema. I just say no for bp and blood draws. It frustrates some docs/nurses, but I'm not giving in. I have to live with the consequences, they dont!

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #31
    cabbott said:

    How about your legs?
    One friend told me she had to have blood pressure taken in her leg because of breast surgery on both sides. I bet blood can be taken from other veins too. Babies get blood drawn from the soles of their feet. I wonder if they can get blood from the veins in my ankles? The veins there certainly seem prominent enough! Maybe it would make them shrink!!!

    Yes, if they can't take your
    Yes, if they can't take your blood pressure from either arm, they use your leg. You should never let anyone use your arm where your nodes were taken out for anything. You can buy bracelets or a medical alert bracelet stating such if you want.


    Hugs, Megan
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #32
    VickiSam said:

    Like yourself, Cinnamonsmile
    I have my blood pressure taken at my ankles. Werid thing is ... many health care professionals have a difficult time getting my pressure on my ankles, and it takes several tries. Also, please note that blood pressure is slight higher at the ankles, just a medical fact -- most Doctors are aware of.


    Please have your pre op nurse mark your arms with colored tape .. before surgery, noting that blood pressure must be taken on ankles. Worked for me ..

    It's our health, our body .. so we need to be vigilant about what goes in, and on our bodies .. now... Blood pressure cuff, is torture! Yikes

    Strength and Courage,

    Vicki Sam

    Always say NO! You really
    Always say NO! You really need to protect your arm and be very careful with it. I thought all oncologist's and surgeon's would tell their patients this.
  • helen e
    helen e Member Posts: 223
    #33
    3 nodes removed
    I was told by everyone who worked on me about no blood pressure or shots in that arm. The one who told me about flying and exercising and using a compression sleeve was my physical therapist. I still didn't believe her because I didn't have one while I was seeing her (it was on order) and had no problems. Then one day last summer I was stacking wood for the winter and thought nothing of it until the next morning when I hurt like crazy and couldn't figure out why. I went to work and had to come back home when I figured out what it was. I put on my compression sleeve and after a while my arm started to feel better. I have not moved another piece of wood since.
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #34
    cindycflynn said:

    Flying
    Here's the web address to an article from Lymphnet.org that discusses flying:

    http://www.lymphnet.org/pdfDocs/nlnairtravel.pdf

    Sorry, I don't know how to make it a link you can just click on.

    Thanks
    Thanks for info...i'll check it out
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #35
    Double Whammy said:

    I had to ask!
    And I wouldn't have even known to ask if it hadn't been for this board. NO ONE (oncologist, surgeon, primary care physician) ever even mentioned not having BP or blood drawn or chemo on my bc side. After my bc surgery while in preop for my hysterectomy, I asked the folks (nurses, anesthesiologists)if since I had only 2 lymph nodes removed did I still need to avoid blood stuff/IVs in that arm. I got a mixed response! Anesthesiologist said there are mixed opinions and that it's probably ok, nurse (who had bc) said she won't have BP or blood draws on that side! So I asked my oncologist one day and she said it's just safer not to, that if I were in an accident or something and couldn't tell medics not to use that arm and they did, she wouldn't worry too much, but as long as I was communicative, I should avoid it. So I am.

    When I got my flu and pneumonia shots this year, since they couldn't give both in the same arm, I got one of them in my butt as ordered by my pcp.

    I won't take any unnecessary chances. It may be that there's not enough data on lymphedema for women who have had only sentinal nodes removed, but I don't want it regardless. To this day, no one has said a peep about flying, either. Guess I'll ask about that if I remember.

    Suzanne

    medical alert braclet
    I asked if I should wear medica alert braclet & I was told in and emergency that would be the least of my problems-they will use where ever they can get vein!
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #36
    cinnamonsmile said:

    so what do you do when you
    so what do you do when you had a double mastectomy with bilateral SNB?

    Cinn@ good question
    I have never heard it mentioned....curious of replies
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #37
    helen e said:

    3 nodes removed
    I was told by everyone who worked on me about no blood pressure or shots in that arm. The one who told me about flying and exercising and using a compression sleeve was my physical therapist. I still didn't believe her because I didn't have one while I was seeing her (it was on order) and had no problems. Then one day last summer I was stacking wood for the winter and thought nothing of it until the next morning when I hurt like crazy and couldn't figure out why. I went to work and had to come back home when I figured out what it was. I put on my compression sleeve and after a while my arm started to feel better. I have not moved another piece of wood since.

    I have been also told to not
    I have been also told to not have blood pressure, shots or blood drawn. I have flown with no problems, as, I don't have lymphedema. Well, not yet anyway. I thought I read on here once where you can get lymphedema even later? Does anyone know if that is true?
  • Dot53
    Dot53 Member Posts: 239 Member
    #38
    Noel said:

    I have been also told to not
    I have been also told to not have blood pressure, shots or blood drawn. I have flown with no problems, as, I don't have lymphedema. Well, not yet anyway. I thought I read on here once where you can get lymphedema even later? Does anyone know if that is true?

    It is a lot harder for those
    It is a lot harder for those of us with bi-lateral mastectomy.. I have refused multiple times and have been told that I can have the bp and blood draws out of my arms... most times when I say no to the blood pressure cuff on the arm they say forget it then and won't do it on my legs. It is a real problem b/c all doctors have different opinions on this issue and they look at me like I'm nuts..

    Love,
    Dot
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #39
    Megan M said:

    Yes, if they can't take your
    Yes, if they can't take your blood pressure from either arm, they use your leg. You should never let anyone use your arm where your nodes were taken out for anything. You can buy bracelets or a medical alert bracelet stating such if you want.


    Hugs, Megan

    told not to bother
    if alert just tell care takers and if emergecny they will just do what they need to do..!
  • Dawne.Hope
    Dawne.Hope Member Posts: 823
    #40
    Noel said:

    I have been also told to not
    I have been also told to not have blood pressure, shots or blood drawn. I have flown with no problems, as, I don't have lymphedema. Well, not yet anyway. I thought I read on here once where you can get lymphedema even later? Does anyone know if that is true?

    yes, years later
    Noel, you can lymphedema 5, 10, 20, 30 (If we live that long!) after. The risk never goes down. That's why we have to be our own advocates. No one is going to pay the price for the BP, the needle sticks but us. We have to stand up for ourselves and be careful.
  • Dawne.Hope
    Dawne.Hope Member Posts: 823
    #41
    Dot53 said:

    It is a lot harder for those
    It is a lot harder for those of us with bi-lateral mastectomy.. I have refused multiple times and have been told that I can have the bp and blood draws out of my arms... most times when I say no to the blood pressure cuff on the arm they say forget it then and won't do it on my legs. It is a real problem b/c all doctors have different opinions on this issue and they look at me like I'm nuts..

    Love,
    Dot

    i'm used to 'the look' too
    Dot, I know the look you're talking about. The sigh, the roll of the eyes. It doesn't bother me anymore. We have to stand up for ourselves. No one else is going to. I'd rather be too cautious on the LE issue that not cautious enough. LE is a true pain, and once you have it, it never goes away. JUST SAY NO! :)

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