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New to Lymphedema? Start here.
The main Breastcancer.org site offers helpful information in the extensive Lymphedema section, including: Lymphedema Signs and Symptoms Reducing Risk of Lymphedema and Lymphedema Flare-Ups Lymphedema Treatments Finding a Lymphedema Therapist There are also great tips and practical advice on the following discussion board…
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ALL THINGS Gloves and sleeves
Can't stand the idea of continually hi-jacking threads so here I go ... Pls. list your best bets with gloves/ sleeves/ ins challenges , things that go awry - you name it. How do you wash yours ? Which ones last longest etc etc etc ... I know we are all different, but hoping perhaps we can help each other with tips for the…
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Lymphedema Support Group--Los Angeles
Hello! I am starting a LE Support Group in Rancho Cascades (Sylmar) starting Oct 2024. It will be a combo of an easy exercise class, with potluck and discussion session. Please see the attached flyer and call with questions! Thanks.
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radiation-induced brachial plexopathy
Looks like I'm special as I'm one of the <2% of patients who get this complication. Really tired of being special... I don't want to scare anyone off of radiation....it's an important part of breast cancer treatment. There are risk factors for my complication such as supraclavicular and axillary radiation, high rads dose,…
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Off on a road trip with altitude
Hi friends. I have mildish most of my body lymphedema with a little swelling but not too much. I'm leaving on a road trip and DH is very concerned (more than me) about high altitudes for short periods of time. We plan on Wyoming, Colorado, Utah etc etc, all places we've been before with our little travel trailer. A couple…
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Help my arm sleeve is discontinued!!
Hi all.. my Sigvaris 15-20 arm sleeves which I've been happy with for years has gone and is replaced with new silicone button tops, which is turns out I'm allergic to. I've looked all over for a similar sleeve with no silicone but they all seem to have it now.. do you know of any sleeve that has no silicone, just the…
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Avoid a recurrence of celluitis
I'm just getting over a third bout of cellulitis over the past 4 years. I've had LE since 2006 and had not experienced cellulitis until these past few years. I'm not sure why. Maybe because my "mature" skin is thinning - who knows. I'm wondering what advice any of you may have about how to keep infection at bay. Skin care,…
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Cellulitis from tight bra?
Hi, All — I'm 11 years out from diagnosis and Lx/Mx. I have had issues with LE off and on since, but not much in the last 4 years or so. I wore a more substantial bra on Sunday. I usually only wear it for a few hours and then take it off, but I wore it all day. When I took it off on Sunday night, my cancer-side…
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Covid Vaccine - Lymph node swelling
I have LE in my right arm. I had my first Covid vaccine shot in my left arm January 15. My arm was quite sore and a couple of days later I had a swollen lymph nodes under my arm. One was quite large and frightening. The swelling has gone down a lot but still there. I'm scheduled to have the second vaccine next week. I…
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Self Care--All things MLD
Edited since LE diagnosis confirmed... I have seen a LANA-certified PT and gotten my fist full of handouts, plus advised to buy a low-compression sleeve "just in case." I had an hour of hands-on instruction for self Manual Lymph Drainage but I still feel like somehow I'm not doing it right. I get more confused by the…
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Affording multiple compressions sleeves
Hi all, Curious how many sleeves everyone has at one time. I've been told that you should replace them every 6 months but I can't even imagine doing that with the cost! They say you should have multiple sleeves so when one is being washed, you have another. And then replace them after 6 months? Just curious what everyone's…
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Breast lymphadema (what does it feel like)?
I am newly diagnosed with breast and arm lymphadema. My symptoms are a tightness across my breast/chest and upper arm. Swelling and aches in both my arm and chest. My breast almost feels like when you put a wet washcloth on it. Sounds weird, but it’s the only way to describe it! Does anyone else experience this? I’m seeing…
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lymphedema - IV and blood pressure cuff in same arm for later surgery?
I'm about to undergo hip replacement surgery and I know an IV will be placed and BP will be monitored at the same time. I have lymphedema in one arm. How is this accomplished when one arm should have neither an IV nor a BP cuff? Thanks.
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Advice 15 years out
I was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma in 2008. I had a bilateral mastectomy and lymph nodes removed (a few did test positive). I underwent chemo, radiation and reconstruction. Unfortunately, my original reconstruction with implants failed and so I then had a DIEP flap. I do not allow blood drawers, IVs or BP on…
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Questions about care and wearing of compression sleeve/gauntlet
What detergent do you use to wash the garments? How do you keep the gauntlet clean while working in the kitchen or cleaning at home as well as being out and about? Do you remove the gauntlet while preparing meals etc. of is there another item to wear over them? I tried a large rubber glove but to get a size to easily fit…
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Lymphadenectomy - Right Breast Cancer
Hi, I am presently undergoing chemotherapy for a Triple-negative Right Breast Cancer. Very soon, I will have to decide if I undergo a "Lymphadenectomy"! I have been reading a lot about the side effects would worries me a lot - but I understand that it's a lose-lose situation. Because, if I don't undergo a "Lymphadenectomy"…
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Compression Sleeve for Long Flights?
Background: I do not have lymphedema post lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node removal (May 2023). However I did end up with painful cording a few weeks after surgery which subsided with physio and massage. The lymphedema specialist (who I proactively consulted) said the arm sleeve might be beneficial and wouldn’t hurt…
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LVA surgery - bypass surgery - Have you done it?
I recently traveled to the University of Iowa to meet with Dr. Wei Chen a supermirosurgeon/plastic surgeon. I was referred to him by my PS. I had the Indocyanine Green Lymphography done and was amazed at what was seen both in my healthy arm and diseased arm. I was diagnosed under the Campisi Staging at Stage 2 as my LE is,…
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Video: Lymphedema and Exercise
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Lymphedema threat: are we ever out of the woods?
Dear all, It's been nearly 10 years since my lumpectomy. I had 11 nodes removed total. Since then I've been religious about using my left arm (lumpectomy done on right) for everything-blood draws, BP cuffs, vaccines (including Covid), etc. I should add I never had any sign of lymphedema, ever. I'm in great physical shape…
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GRRRRRRRRR I HATE LE..........
EVERYONE can tell I have it... my arm just looks so fat..... I have been to.... and going back to.... therapy..... with a LE specialist... I wrap... I wear compression garments when flying.. exercising... BLAH BLAH BLAH...... I do it all, and I do it right. As a Stylist..... I was told... My job was a good profession to be…
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Mosquito bite
Hi all! This evening(some two hours ago) I was bitten by a mosquito on the arm with axillary clearance, on the mastectomy side. I`m freaking out about lymphedema now. I washed it with soap and I`m keeping ice on it. Any advice on what to do, please? How big is the risk now?
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Big thumb, help please
Hello, Doctor bandaged me. All my fingers became smaller, but my thumb became bigger! Please help. I'm very scared. Do you have an idea how to solve this? How to bandage this not to happen? Why this happens?
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Lymphedema self massage
Hi ladies! I wanted to share a link to a self lymphodema massage treatment that has helped me and my neighbor who also had breast cancer. Please ok it with your doctors before trying it, because our situations are all unique. I had a lumpectomy with node removal Mar 2021. I was able to see a lymphodema therapist soon after…
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Resuming Pump After Cellulitis?
I developed lymphedema in 2016 despite only having 3 nodes removed. I've evaded cellulitis until last week. My swelling & redness have improved significantly at the one week mark, but my armpit is still quite tender. What have others done in terms of resuming use of the Flexi Touch pump? I will double check with my…
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Acupuncture treatment for lymphedema
Hi everyone, I had a dmx and ended up with lymphodema under my breast and to the side area. I went for manual massages, but it didn't help. Recently I had to have ablat flap and the lymphodema area is quite painful. I'm wondering if anyone is going through this and what has helped. Also, has anyone tried acupuncture for…
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LYMPHA (Lymphovenous Bypass) Procedure With Mastectomy?
Hello all. Today I had a meeting with my surgical oncologist to discuss my upcoming single mastectomy. I was kind of bummed to hear that that many nodes will be removed, and mentioned that I have a fear of lymphedema. The SO said that a plastic surgeon will be called in to do the mastectomy close, and he also does a…
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Liposuction/Flying Squirrel
Hi. I have BCR lymphedema. It has been a long and difficult journey for me. I live in Tampa and have had limited success with treatment options and providers in this area. After being told by Moffitt there were no treatment options for me I went to Cleveland Clinic and met with Dr. Chen who recommended liposuction and…
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Wrapping with gauze only?
Hello, I have mild lymphedema in hand and fingers. I wear a glove and a sleeve during day. I would like to wrap my fingers and hand at night. Is it ok to wrap it with just gauze and no bandages? I don' t have much money for bandages.
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Great Videos for Patients with Lymphedema
I had 23 lymph nodes removed due to my first Dx with breast cancer in 2003, and immediately had lymphedema in my left arm. I am getting ready for my pre-surgery appointment in an hour with my PS for exchange surgery for implant and to have mapping of both arms. This is due to my third BC Dx! (was Dx in both breasts, the…
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Nice about lymphedema?
I just got lymphedema and I'm scared it's the end of living life normally and of nice events in my life. I wanted to ask you to tell about nice moments you've got since you've got lymphedema and give us newbies some courage. Are there any nice moments? Are they daily? Is there still a lifejoy? Does it resamble to 'normal…