Update on Chest Spasms

Spasms
RE, I also am very glad that the cause of your painful spasms is clear now. I hope this means that a treatment is in the works, or at least the right kind of pain med has been determined.

Thank you for updating all of us, who care for you.

p.s. I love homegrown tomatoes. My dad and stepmom brought me some from TN. They did not last long! I hope you can now enjoy the fruits of summer.

HI Re
Are you doing any lymphedema massage or do you wear a compression sleeve to help reduce it? I had 21 lymphnodes removed and just finished out about 6 occupational therapy sessions and they taught me how to do self massage. My therapist told me that I will need to do it ongoing. Ask you md for a referral. Maybe it will help

Hugs
Linda T

RE said:

LINDA REGARDING PT
Hi Linda,

I wear a compression sleeve and hand gaunlet regularly and have been doing so for more than 6 years. I do go to physical therapy two to three times a year for 6 to 8 week sessions which do help. Yes I have been doing the mesaage along with cold pack treatments which also are quite helpful. In addition to these the about treatments there are also meds one can take for lymphedema which I also am on. In addition to message you should not be lifting anything heavy with that arm, nor should you be doing any household chores, gardening etc without wearing protective rubber gloves. Truth be told the slightest nick of your skin can cause a serious infection (staph infection). Keep a close watch on your arm always looking for any rash or infection and the sensation of heaviness. If you are interested Linda I have several informational pages on my personal page here at CSN in the blog section that you may fine helpful, you can also go to www.lymphnet.org I hope your lymphedema does not give you much trouble. My best to you!

RE

I'm curious??
How does the lymphedema start?? right away or does something happen like lifting something too heavy??? I want to prevent that from happening if at all possible... I just read somewhere that mild excersise can be good for preventing???

I am glad you found the source!! I hope the medication works wonders and you can feel good again using your arm...


HUGZ... CAlleen

Answers
Dear RE, I am so glad that you have an answer for the spasms and that they are treatable. Best wishes for no more pain! xoxoxo Lynn

djteach said:

Hi RE,
I am so sorry that
Hi RE,

I am so sorry that you are having to go through this. I too have lymphedema but I haven't had the muscle spasms. Muscle spasms are so painful. I'm glad that the pain is easing and I pray that they will go away completely. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Love and gentle hugs,
Donna

Thanks for the update and
Thanks for the update and glad you have some medicine to help with the spasms.

Hugs, Diane ♥

Calleen said:

I'm curious??
How does the lymphedema start?? right away or does something happen like lifting something too heavy??? I want to prevent that from happening if at all possible... I just read somewhere that mild excersise can be good for preventing???

I am glad you found the source!! I hope the medication works wonders and you can feel good again using your arm...


HUGZ... CAlleen

As I understand it...
lymph edema is caused by disruption of the circulation system when lymph nodes are removed during surgery. Mine was evident right after surgery. The swelling just never completely went down. Now, keep in mind that I had my surgeries over 20 years ago (two radical mastectomies...less than two years apart).
I had several nodes removed on both sides.
At that time, they pretty much said, 'learn to live with it'. Now, of course there are things that can be done and precautions that can be taken to minimize, if not prevent, the edema.
Fast forward to present day...most of my edema is unnoticeable now except when I over-use my hands or arms. And sometimes the simplest things will cause a flare up. Hammering a nail to hang a picture produces swelling and pain for a few hours. Vacuuming (I feel the 'vibration' in hands and arms for an hour after the chore is done) brings it on also.
Well, life being what it is, I have stopped worrying about trying to avoid everything that causes problems, but I do try to keep in mind what my body has been through and give it a break whenever I can.
God bless.

i have bouts of lyphedema, was real bad during chemo and now has let up some. they say it is a mild case. But I know how it is when it acts up. I have not been wearing any sleeves or anything since rads, I have been taught self massage etc. What I find it helps me the most is doing restorative excersises with my old people at the nursing home. when I do the one where you lift your arm over your shoulder and to the side (away from mast. side) I can actually hear and feel the scar tissue breaking up. I know it can act up at any minute though, and am worried abut flying... I am going to fly to Colorado to do Relay for life with my Daughter Jamie the end of October, I hope it will be OK.

I have had back spasms( before the BC) and I know how it hurts. I so hope you are feeling better my friend. And I appreciate all the research and good advice you have always given us on Lymphedema.The only thing that ever helped my back spasms were muscle relaxers.

Thanks Re and my best to you. I hope the spasms go away. and they find something that will make them be gone for good.

Love and hugs, Jackie

mimivac said:

So glad that the MRIs
So glad that the MRIs yielded something. I'm also glad that the meds are helping. I wish you a full recovery soon and an end to pain immediately.

Glad that your meds are
Glad that your meds are helping to relieve your pain RE.

Hugs!

RE said:

:-)
Thank you all for your always thoughtful responses. Today is the anniversary of my Mother's passing. I have written a small tribute to her in the expressions area, she was an awesome and remarkable woman and I was blessed to have her as my Mom.

Hugs to all,

RE

Dear Re
That is a very moving tribute to your beloved Mom. I had tears in my eyes as I read it. I also lost my own sweet Mom to CA. I was blessed as you were to have such a wonderful one.

BTW I didn't know that was a tomato!!Ha Ha. I thought it was a ceramic heart, I love it.
Hugs, Jackie