Just checking somthing...

GavinP

Hi all,

In October 2013 my mother was diagonsed with stage 1 ductal caricinoma after attending routine breat cancer screening. I'm not sure of the grade but the cancer was HER2 positive.

In November she had a lumpectomy with clear margins. One lymph node was taken and revealed no sign's in iymp node invastion.

In January 2014 she started six weeks of rad's and then a five year course of anastrozole/ No chemotherapy was required (ideally they would have liked to have given her one course of chemo before starting the radiotherapy but because she has OPD - Although she's never smoked in her life - it was decided it wouldn't be worth the risk to her lungs)

Anyway, she completed treatment in March 2014 and has been cancer free in her subsequant follow up appointment's. Her last appointment was December 2014 and her next appointment isn't until December 2015.

Three week's ago tomorrow (Friday) she woke up with numbness in her wrist. Through the day this numbness developed into a severe pain and swelling of the wrist and lower arm.

She left it a week and when there was no improvement she went to see her GP and he diagnosed tendon damage - Though he didn't order any scan's or X-Ray's of the arm/wrist.

As far as my mother is concerned she hasn't injured her arm/wrist and can't think of any reason wny her tendons should be damaged.

The pain and swelling have continued without improvement during the past couple of week's since she saw her doctor and she is now beginning to worry that her breast cancer may have metastasised to her wrist/arm.

I've tried to reassure her that it is very unlikely to spread to her lower arm and have told her that her rib's, shoulder's or upper arm would be far more likey destinations (at least initially) for any possible spread... However, she continues to worry.

Just wondered what you guys think?

 

Would she be justiifed in asking her GP for an X-Ray or Scan just to reaasure her? Or maybe it would be better to contact her Oncology team so they can set her mind at rest.

 

Thing is, if it is just damaged tendons she doesn't want to feel a fool... But I can sense she is starting to become increasingly anxious as the day's go by without any improvement.

cinnamonsmile

With the removal of lymph

With the removal of lymph nodes there is always the possiblity of a condition called lymphedema in which fluid builds up from the lymph node removal disrupting the flow of the lymph fluid (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lymphedema/basics/definition/con-20025603). 

I had issues with pain and swelling in my arms (I had nodes removed on each side) and I got a referral to see a lymphedema specialist. Although lymphedema may not be curable, it can be manageable. It is best to see a CERTIFIED lymphedema specialist if there is one in your mother's area.

Lymphedema can happen years after the lymph node removal.

I hope your mom can find out the cause of it.

Good luck to you and your mom.

TraciInLA

cinnamonsmile said:

With the removal of lymph

With the removal of lymph nodes there is always the possiblity of a condition called lymphedema in which fluid builds up from the lymph node removal disrupting the flow of the lymph fluid (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lymphedema/basics/definition/con-20025603). 

I had issues with pain and swelling in my arms (I had nodes removed on each side) and I got a referral to see a lymphedema specialist. Although lymphedema may not be curable, it can be manageable. It is best to see a CERTIFIED lymphedema specialist if there is one in your mother's area.

Lymphedema can happen years after the lymph node removal.

I hope your mom can find out the cause of it.

Good luck to you and your mom.

Agree with Cinnamon

I'm not a medical professional in any way, but my first thought given what you describe was also possible lymphedema.  We had a woman on this board not long ago who developed lymphedema after having only 1 lymph node removed.  I had 3 removed on my left side, and developed lymphedema on that side over 4 years after surgery.

I would strongly urge your mom to see her oncologist or her breast surgeon, either of whom would be much more knowledgeable about lymphedema than her GP.  A GP might dismiss the possibility of lymphedema because "it's been too long," or "you only had 1 lymph node removed," but oncologists and breast surgeons see it much more frequently, and could refer her to a lymphedema specialist if needed.

Please assure your mom that NO medical professional who has experience working with breast cancer survivors is going to think she's a fool for being concerned about pain and swelling in her arm, and for suspecting lymphedema.

Hope that helps,

Traci

GavinP

Thanks guys...

We had already considered  lymphedema, but the swelling is the right arm/wrist, while the cancer and lymph node was on the left side, so that rules out  lymphedema, I think?

Anyway, we've decided she's going to give it another week (that take's it to a month since the pain and swelling started) and then she's going to go back to GP and ask for X-Ray or scan.

I notice in this thread:

http://csn.cancer.org/node/210468

It's being reported that a lot of peole taking Arimidex (Anatrazole) are having bone/joint pains... So I'm wondering whether this is just a side effect of the medication she's taking, to be honest.

 

kjana

GavinP said:

Thanks guys...

We had already considered  lymphedema, but the swelling is the right arm/wrist, while the cancer and lymph node was on the left side, so that rules out  lymphedema, I think?

Anyway, we've decided she's going to give it another week (that take's it to a month since the pain and swelling started) and then she's going to go back to GP and ask for X-Ray or scan.

I notice in this thread:

http://csn.cancer.org/node/210468

It's being reported that a lot of peole taking Arimidex (Anatrazole) are having bone/joint pains... So I'm wondering whether this is just a side effect of the medication she's taking, to be honest.

 

i do ot know but surely would

i do ot know but surely would recommend seeng a dr.

Rague

GavinP said:

Thanks guys...

We had already considered  lymphedema, but the swelling is the right arm/wrist, while the cancer and lymph node was on the left side, so that rules out  lymphedema, I think?

Anyway, we've decided she's going to give it another week (that take's it to a month since the pain and swelling started) and then she's going to go back to GP and ask for X-Ray or scan.

I notice in this thread:

http://csn.cancer.org/node/210468

It's being reported that a lot of peole taking Arimidex (Anatrazole) are having bone/joint pains... So I'm wondering whether this is just a side effect of the medication she's taking, to be honest.

 

LympEdema is not exclusively

LympEdema is not exclusively a BC issue.  It can result from many 'things' that do not necessarily have anything to do with BC or nodes removed.   Any surgery or traumatic injury. can bring it on in any part  of the body.  I have a friend who deals with LE (LymphEdema) in her lower leg from minor non-invasive knee surgery.

No one here can tell what is going on - only her Drs can with possible/probably more testing.

Either go with her to appt so you can ask questions or get her to list a one who can legally get information from her Drs.  I have my Hubby and our adult Son listed with all my Drs so they can legally talk to my Drs IF they feel they need to.

Stay away from that 'Quack Dr Google'!  

Winyan - The Power Within

Susan

Don't know anything about what other medical issues your Mom may have (or her age) but that can come into play as to what,is going on.  

disneyfan2008

i would get a second opinion

i would get a second opinion for sure...

 

Denise

VickiSam

disneyfan2008 said:

i would get a second opinion

i would get a second opinion for sure...

 

Denise

... any updates ?

We are thinking about mom,  please post an update when possible.

 

Vicki Sam