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Tendonitis or Lymphedema?
Background: bilateral mastectomy in June. Left sentinel node removed. For the past 7-8 weeks I’ve been having pain in my left forearm/elbow/bicep. I originally thought it was tendonitis but last night my forearm was swollen. If my elbow is bent it’s not bad but it hurts to straighten or hold anything. I also have a puffy…
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Looking for glove recommendation
First off, sorry to invade the lymphedema board with my non-lymphedema question, but I figured if anyone would have an answer for me, it would be you ladies. I started having neuropathy symptoms with my first dose of Taxol, even with cold therapy. I’ve been reading everything I could find about preventing the development…
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Abandon LE precautions? Not me!
A discussion in the Bone Mets topic on Stage IV forum regarding lymphedema was veering away from the central focus of that board so I announced that it should be moved here. Basically, I shared my Zometa infusion protocol and got this response: “There's no evidence that being at risk for or having lymphedema means you…
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Circaid Reduction Kit
I have the Circaid Reduction kit and have been trying to determine how tight to make the velcro straps. Does anybody else have this? If so, to what number do you tighten to? I started at a 1 but didn't see much improvement so went up to a 2. I'm a bit nervous to make it any tighter than that.
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Prophylactic Mastectomy and LE... Your Opinion, Please
I had a single mastectomy last August with ALND (due to IBC). 32 nodes removed and none of them cancerous...ack. Concurrently I had a lymphovenous bypass with 4 good "connections." So far I'm doing well but I have started the Lebed opening and learned MLD from a LE PT "just in case." My plan was to have a prophylactic…
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advice re: flat knit sleeves and gloves
Hi, all, I've mainly been lurking, but have been finding this group so helpful. Thanks for all the great info and support everyone gives each other. My lymphedema has been fairly mild but I've been dealing with a flareup, and my PT think I may need to move to a garment that's more containing than my Medi Harmony, which…
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Mammogram and Lymphedema
Good Evening All, I had a lumpectomy ,chemo, and radiation. I also had axillary nodes removed (7). ,I am now diagnosed with lymphedema. My question is, Has anyone had any mammograms or scans scans since your diagnosis of lymphedema? Did the results show suspicious findings because of lymphedema Thank you
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Herbs to help with Lymphedema
I've developed a large seroma in my thigh three months post my TUG flap. So today I started researching supplements that might support my system and help with the swelling and I came across this: http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2005/mar2005_profile_glasser_01.htm?source=search&key=lymphatic Life Extension Foundation (LEF)…
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Additional lymph node dissection after finding micromets?
I recently had a mastectomy and sentinel lymph node dissection surgery with reconstruction. When pathology came back, the lymph node was found to have micromets. I've been struggling with the decision of wether to push for an additional surgery to remove a few more lymph nodes to be sure all cancer cells are gone. My…
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easyTAI CHI BREATHER EXERCISE to move Lymph fluid out
Posted this in kick butt thread but thought it would be great for all. Super easy. Pictures at bottom of post Ok girls, This could be done if you can't get exercise in. You probably could even do it in a public washroom,well, maybe not the small stall,but the big wheelchair stall! My MLD girl said TAI CHI exercises have…
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Swollen arm, elbow, wrist, hand
Hi I haven't had any swelling issues since surgery however I fell 4 days ago and broke my shoulder/humerous. will see orthopedics on Monday. the swelling has been moving down my arm a little bit more each day. I'm really scared about this hand swelling, its so puffy. I wonder if missing 7 lymphnodes in the arm pit is…
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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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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…