Lymphedema

emiliasdance
emiliasdance Member Posts: 5
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I have been having trouble with lymphedema since I finished radiation treatments around Thanksgiving. My oncologist says that the swelling should resolve itself as I heal from the radiation treatments. This doesn't seem consistent with anything that I have read about lymphedema and my arm and hand are getting bigger with every minor bump or insult. Has anyone else every heard of or experienced lymphedema resolving itself?

Comments

  • wimpy
    wimpy Member Posts: 58
    #2
    Hello

    I have had very minor swelling disappear if I hold my arm over my head for awhile but if you are experiencing serious swelling (one arm is significantly bigger than the other) I would get back to the clinic immediately to have it treated. At my clinic the best source of information on this was the physiotherapy department. They fit people for compression sleeves and teach exercises to control lymphedema.

    All I can say is if you are experiencing serious problems get back there and don't take no for an answer.

    Wimpy
  • tlmac
    tlmac Member Posts: 272 Member
    #3
    hi emilia, perhaps you and your doctor are talking about two different things. Swelling following radiation treatment is common and usually does resolve itself. Though I've never suffered from lymphedema, several women in my support group have it to varying degrees. Through them, I've learned you need to have it treated by a physiotherapist trained in lymphedema and not just any physical therapist. My experience is that it does not resolve itself and should be addressed before getting worse. I agree with Wimpy, don't take no for an answer. Good luck.
    terri
  • hounddog
    hounddog Member Posts: 115
    #4
    Hello my name is Marilyn and I have trouble with lymphedema on my right arm and a friend of mine that lives in Albuquerque taught me to take hand lotion put it on my hand and arm and message it all the way up ward toward the shoulder also drink fiber because what we have in our system is waste and it causes lymphedema.
    marilyn
  • rutaf
    rutaf Member Posts: 23
    #5
    hounddog said:

    Hello my name is Marilyn and I have trouble with lymphedema on my right arm and a friend of mine that lives in Albuquerque taught me to take hand lotion put it on my hand and arm and message it all the way up ward toward the shoulder also drink fiber because what we have in our system is waste and it causes lymphedema.
    marilyn

    what do you drink for fiber? suggestions? thanks,

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