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knee replacement surgery
I've developed lymphedema problems in my arms and left shoulder. I've just started therapy for it. I have total knee replacement surgery scheduled for March. My question: Is it really dangerous having surgery when one is at risk for lymphedema?
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Black Women More Likely Than White To Develop Lymphedema
Black Women More Likely To Develop Lymphedema After Breast Cancer Treatment Than White Women December 10, 2021 A study suggests Black women are about 3.5 times more likely to develop lymphedema than white women. Read more...
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Water retention and leg discomfort
Had my third cycle of chemo a couple weeks ago. A few days afterwards I started experiencing leg swelling and tightness. Mostly in the calves but I'm now having buttock soreness, as if I did a ton of squats the day before. Anyone else have this?? I had an ultrasound which confirmed no blood clot. Now I'm asked to use…
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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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New hope for those of us with lymphedema!
Hope for us with lymphedema:
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Lymphedema and the covid vaccine
Hi Folks On 2/3 and 3.3.2021 I got a Moderna injection in each in the thigh ( Nodes removed from left arm caused LE 9 yrs ago) AND app 4 1/2 yrs ago I offered my R arm for a blood draw and got LE . ( my LE therapist explained that I already had an impaired lymphatic system and that R arm had just recovered from ' an insult…
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No Bra = No Lymphedema
Background: June 2006 I awoke from my breast cancer surgery with lymphedema .... wore a compression sleeve for almost 2 years. Success: Then the BIG discovery!...which was totally by fluke. I switched from wearing a bra, to wearing a cami that had really good underwire breast cups. In less then a week I no longer needed to…
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Lymphedema under the eye
Hey gang.. hope all are feeling as well as can be. I have LE in both arms, back and chest post bi lateral mastectomy years ago. About two months ago I had an eye infection which was treated with antibiotic drops and it went away. Now suddenly about two weeks ago I noticed a swollen area below where eye bags would be.. not…
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DONATING USED/ NEW LE GARMENTS AND BANDAGE SUPPLIES
I thought I should start this thread instead of posting on the Pathways Magazine thread where I originally posted about donating our Lymphedema supplies and garments that just sit around. I hate to just throw them out, such a waste of money and so now we have finally found a place were they are desperately needed. A third…
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Podcast: Lymphedema 101
Lymphedema 101 April 28, 2021 Marcia Beck is a clinical nurse specialist at the University of Kansas Health System. Marcia is certified in adult health and breast health and also certified as a lymphedema therapist by the Lymphology Association of North America. Listen to the episode to hear Marcia explain all aspects of…
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Vascularized lymph node transplant VLNT
Hello community! I am contemplating having a VLNT while I have my reconstruction DIEP flap. My surgeon is double boarded in plastics & microvascular and specializes in lymphedema surgery. He does both the flap and VLNT at the same time. My lymphedema is not bad, probably stage 1. I had 17 nodes removed in 2018 w/my…
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ILF webinar on chronic cellulitis with lymphedema
The International Lymphedema Framework project is sponsoring a free webinar on dealing with chronic cellulitis, and since some of you are dealing with this, you might be interested in attending. Here's the information: 5th ILF Webinar: Cellulitis in chronic oedema The 5th ILF Webinar will be presented by Drs. Tonny…
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Blood clot along with lymphedema??
wondering if anyone has experience with this, having both. Had a crazy weekend with severe pain & swelling in lymphadema arm. Went to the er & turns out I have a blood clot in that arm & also that my cancer has metastasized to my lungs & liver. It's all bad, but my arm is huge, double in size & I am not to go for therapy,…
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Kicking LEs butt!! Exercise & Self Care Log
Let's use this thread to post the exercise and methods of self care we are practicing each day to keep our bodies strong and our LE at bay. After experiencing a flare in my arm when I hadn't been as diligent in caring for my truncal LE, I am motivated to begin exercising regularly, performing MLD daily, and wearing…
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"Normalizing Adjustments" Podcast
I stumbled upon this podcast and I thought others might appreciate it, especially those struggling with lymphedema. The host, Nicole Faccio, was born with severe lymphedema which has significantly impacted her life. Here is the description: Because not all tales are created equal, and neither the people that tell them.…
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Solaris Tribute Nighttime Sleeve - Strap vs. No Strap
I have used the Tribute sleeve for quite a few years and really like the product. I am in the process of ordering a new one. I have always in the past got a zippered one with no strap across the the body. When I got measured for it the other day, I was asked if I wanted to try having the strap across this time as it looks…
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Using Pain cream on lymphedema arm, a terrible idea??
Has anyone used a pain cream, like Ben gay or capsaican cream on their lymphedema arm ? Any opinions on this? I have ongoing lymphadema swelling in my arm along with a pinched nerve in my elbow. I have been taking a medication for the nerve pain, but I'm starting to feel some side effects - heart palpitations - that scare…
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Shoveling, shoveling, and more shoveling!
Yikes! Eighteen inches of snow before Christmas, a couple of 3-4" snowfalls, 27 inches this weekend, with a predicted 10-20" more starting tonight. And it's only mid-February! Unfortunately my husband just had a rib resection, and his surgeon has absolutely forbidden him to do any shoveling. And we don't have any…
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White raised bumps on BC affected arm
I have recently noticed that every time I do any type of exercise (most recently shoveling) I develop these raised white hive-like spots on my lymph node affected arm. These spots go diagonally down my arm to the inside of my elbow. I haven’t been affected by lyphedema since my surgery. I did however get cellulitis in this…
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Abdominal Lymphedema Only
Hi! I am 5 years out from initial BC diagnosis (IDC + IMPC, 24 nodes +, Stage 3C, ER/PR+). I had a right breast mastectomy which soon developed into a massive infection requiring me to wear a Wound Vac Machine for months. Not only did my right arm develop LE, but so did my abdomen ON THE RIGHT SIDE ONLY. I knew right away…
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New Breast LE Thread!
Hi! Please stop and say hi if you are dealing with breast LE. Let us know what products you use, and what has not been effective. My arm has been doing well with sleeves, therapy, MLD, and weight loss, but my breast seems to be slowly getting worse. Compression bras and the silverwave fabric do shrink it to some degree,…
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Altitude - at what elevation could it become a problem?
I moved from 1,000 ft to 5,000 ft elevation one year after my treatment. Within a year, a had cording and lymphedema which I attributed to over use in painting and exercise (pilates, weights, etc.). After therapy and self care, it improved and remained under control for several years. We moved, again, to 200 ft for 3 years…
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Axillary Lymph Node Dissection Dissection
hello, I just completed chemo and am scheduled to have ALND. I am concerned with lymphedema. (Cancer was found in two of my lymph nodes , luckily were very small which was warranted chemo) I recently read about a less risky procedure called Targeted Lymph Node Dissection. Has anyone had this? I live on Long Island and am…
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Can lymphedema cause shortness of breath?
I have a very mild case of truncal and breast lymphedema. I don't do anything to treat it. I'm used to it and some days it bothers me more than others. I have had shortness of breath for months now and my lungs and heart are fine. Blood work is good. I was doing some research and saw that some people have shortness of…
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PICTORAL FOR KINESIO TAPING A LE HAND
I promised Binney I would try to post a pictoral/tutorial on how I use Kinesio Tape (KT) for my Stage 2 fibrotic LE hand. I want to preface this tutorial with a couple of caveats. 1. Do not attempt to self-apply KT if you have not yet been evaluated by a certified lymphedema therapist as to the appropriateness of KT for…
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kinesio taping and truncal LE
does anyone do kinesio taping for their truncal LE? I'm trying it out. My CLT showed me how to do it once, and I just wonder if I'm doing it correctly. I was reading the directions over at StepUpSpeakOut and I'm not sure! I see her again this week, so I'll get another lesson. But I was just wondering if any of you do it…
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The rash on my arm - Drs visit
Could this be due to lymphedema - or what caused this flare (in addition to the crazy heat we've been having up here!): It's itchy! I've been using a Zanfel knockoff, treating it as if it's poison ivy/oak/sumak - but would that make a lymphedema condition worse? Thanks for looking at my icky pics Leslie
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PINS AND NEEDLES ????
I couldn't find a thread on the LE forum where I thought this should go, so I'm starting a new one. I am 5 yrs out. About a year and half ago I finally found a LE therapist and was dx. w/ mild LE in the arm and a little worse in the breast. I recently had a hospital stay for IV antibiotics (cellulitis). I was told not to…
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Bike Riding and Lymphedema
I had mild LE post-lumpectomy in January which resolved by the end of February (before appt with PT to get instructions for exercises and self-massage). I finished boosts early last week and was on my bike yesterday for a short (12 mile) flat ride wearing a compression sleeve that PT ordered, however it feels like the LE…
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TENS unit to help move lymphedema?
Has anyone used a TENS unit to help move fluid away from lymphedema areas? Mild stimulation?