GRRRRRRRRR I HATE LE..........
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I, am going to my Therapist tomorrow.....I will ask her about the Trampoline.....she did tell me to use Free-Weights and not the machines.......Liz0 -
Anyone hear reading about the supposed 'no pain' with LE must be hooting and snorting right along with me on that bit of fiction! Glad you decided to find another therapist. Liz, do you know the logic on preferring free weights over machines? I'd like to hear that explanation.
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Carol, the only thing I can think of with the free weights, is that you can adjust the weights more slowly. At least at my gym, the machines are in 10 lb increments! So better to go with free weights where I can go up 1 or 2 lb at a time.and I totally don't get that pain statement!!!
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Yes...Carol....my Therapist explained the logic....it took me a while but I got it.....when you use the Machines and say you have it on 10lbs.....HOW do you really know it is 10lbs when you push.....you would really have to be sure each arm was at the same weight.....but if you use Free Weight....10lbs is 10lbs........I really resented one more thing....since before Lymphedema I LOVED weights and really could put it on a high number....Liz0 -
my gym machines are much the same, a few are in 5 # thingies but know that my trainer preferred me to use free weights also, he started me on 1 # ers!
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my Therapist wants me to build up the Mastectomy Side so the muscles get stronger to help the lymp......Liz
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makes sense to me, good luck and keep on hanging on!
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The individual-weight/ light weight/ small increments logic is rock solid. The only downside to using dumbbells instead of the machines is that the machines usually help ensure your form is good, because many machines travel on a pre-determined motion path. Bad form invites injury, so it's a good idea to be in a class or have some time with a trainer until you are sure of the lifting moves. I started with one-pounders when I got back in the gym after my LE diagnosis and surgical recovery, and it sure took a while to build up to my pre-surgery weights. Now--after several years--I use a combination of free weights and machines, and I sometimes have trouble with the dumbbells because they move up in big increments when working with the heavier ones. If I want to move up from say, a 15 lb weight, the next dumbbell up has 20 pounds, too much added weight. So my trainer's solution is to start by doing only three or four reps. On the machines, it's often possible to add half-weights to bridge from one plate to the next. Anyway, isn't it great we're talking about this? Lots of women, BC/LE or not, miss out on strength training's benefits. I love the full-body 'ahhhhh' feeling after doing my strength training routine, which tires all my major muscles and sends stress someplace far, far away!
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BLOOD CLOTS
Hi allI popped in to ring a warning bell. As many of you know, my husband has had a recurrence of stage 4 colon cancer ( free from 2009) His right leg has been severely impacted.
APP. 6 mos ago (BEFORE the DX which took 14 mos!) I took him to an ER for leg swelling and asked for an ultrasound. The dr there listened to his symptoms and history and when he heard 24 nodes were taken in 2009 he said :" Its probably just lymphedema">
That's a quote.I wasn't buying it, and I am highly skeptical of drs ., but my husband is just the opposite. I am sure he does have some LE mind you.
ANYHOW.....We went on our merry way(s)
Despite being seen by THREE oncologists nobody has suggested dopper US since.On MON. I asked for a RX for LE PT for my husband so the dr wanted a doppler to rule out blood clots before MLD.
Guess what ? Just what our friend Binney has warned about for so long blood clots !
My husband has a blood clot so severe it runs from the bottom of his foot into his groin...the ENTIRE leg.Folks, be very careful with your DRs . You ARE your best advocate.
I had noticed my hot blooded husbanded feeling cool and I did report it but he is on oxaliplatin which is well known for cold intolerance so the DRS said nothing. I noticed shortness of breath, but he does too much and is on chemo. Now we are on to daily Luvonox ( sp ?) injections.
I am pround that he was able to ' drag along' and attend our meetinhg with Congresman Neal ( set up by Josh Levin of www.lymphedivas.com) for the LE treatment Act.
I hope all are doing well. I miss you but am incredibly busy.
Thanks for all of your support pls be careful 'out there'
Hugs,
Laurie
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Janet-M,
I first used the mini trampoline when I was having rads during winter in Chicago. I got it for exercise and LE prevention/control. I was swelling, but whether it was inflammation from rads and/or truncal LE was impossible to tell at that time. I felt it helped a great deal in moving fluid.
I now use it after weight lifting to help move fluid. In good weather I run (a bit) and this also controls my LE better than walking. I think it is the combination of bouncing and deep breathing that keeps my LE under control. I've read that if you cannot exercise, then deep breathing is critical to move fluid through your body. There is a unique breathing pattern for that.
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Laurie, I'm so sorry to hear about your husband and his misdiagnosis!! THat's a HUGE blood clot. Hoping the Lovenox will do its job and clear that up.0 -
Thank you, glenie. I appreciate your reply. They are already saying ' at least 6 mos of t x
DOXIE
I used a rebounder for a bit, and I liked it. However, I now have an issue with my knees and so I sold it. Often wondered if the rebounder contributed at all. If you have nO issues with knees , arthritis, poor tracking of the knees, etc ...I suggest 10 mins once or twice aday. They key is nO JUMPING! You stay in contact with the mat. This is not for aerobics, but rather, for lymphatic flow.Good Luck w to you.
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6 months? Wow. They better stay on top of it. Hopefully some frequent US's to make sure it is dissolving.Good advice on the rebounder. I keep debating about one.
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Purple. Great to hear from you and your updates as well. I know that if your not on the threads than you have something major going on. I often think of you and was going to drop you a PM about a week ago but got caught up in life. ugh and grrr. Keep on Truckin girl! (wow... where did that 70's saying pop out of my brain!) Nice to hear Josh Levin and you and DH geting in on the LE act!
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Purple, OMG, thank goodness they found the problem finally!! Here's to that clots dissolve. (((Purple and DH))))
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We sometimes have to make choices about risks in less-than-ideal situations. I had one last month when I needed emergency surgery for an intestinal obstruction (to call that less than ideal is an understatement!). My port had been accessed already and the doc had no problem with using that for surgery since it wasn't near the surgical field. What was problematic was the BP cuff. He didn't even suggest using the at-risk arm, but said he'd have to put in an arterial line for continuous monitoring during surgery. BP couldn't be on my leg since they didn't know how long the surgery would be and needed to put pressure socks/boots on my legs. He said he wasn't going to use a tourniquet so there would be no compression. I knew that the risk of a blood clot in my legs was much more dangerous than the risk of LE/infection from the arterial line so I let him do it. It was hard to focus on what he was doing and what I should permit since I'd already been given some sort of gas (mask on face) to relax me, but the blood clot/LE risk was a decision I would make even if I were clearheaded.
The gas gave me mild hallucinations. I thought they were poking the palm of my hand with the needle and there appeared to be a grid on my arms. It was so real that I checked my hands for puncture wounds the next day (there were none, obviously). I'm disappointed, though - if I'm going to get hallucinations I want Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, not graph paper!
Leah
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LOL Leah. I can dig it. Groovy.
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leah. Oh so funny. I needed that laugh. Went to dentist a couple months ago and had muscle relaxation drugs to relax me. Well it didn't work that well so in the waiting room my dentist waltzes over to me says nothing and pushes a Ativan into my mouth to further drug me. It was kind of like opening your mouth for the wafer biscuit at church. You automatically open your mouth without even thinking. No questions asked by me. No time to.
End of story was, I was so relaxed and loopy that when I was all done with root canal he asked me how I was. I said "great doc. I am really getting my money's worth because I see two dentists working on me with two assistants at the same time." I was seeing double so bad that he and my DH had to support me on each side to the car.
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LOL Hugs. Too funny. Where the heck are you? I want some ativan too .
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Haven't been here in a while but I wanted to give you an update on my Plastic Surgeon's idea of Breast Reduction to help my neck, clavicle, sternal pain - My medical insurance approved a surgery that should help with the pain and lessen movement so maybe the nerve pain will calm down. I found out Friday, my surgery will be on Dec. 4th at 1pm. Pre-op is on the 3rd. Prayers are always welcome!
It has been so long since my last surgery, I forgot all the LE questions I need to discuss with my PS... hmmm - guess its time to step up speak out
. I will go visit their website. I have a phone consult with him tomorrow to answer my questions so I don't have to drive 3.5 hours each way for an appt. 0 -
Gma, how good to have a date set (and not too far away either). Deep breaths! Check out the very last section on this page:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Emergencies_and_Med...
Hugs, prayers--and chocolate, of course,
Binney0 -
I pray that works out great for you. I will definitely remember the date because I have my MO appt. I'm not expecting good news. Anyway, best of luck to you!
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Gma, I'm so happy for you!! I hope this lessens your pain. Do keep us updated when you feel up to it. We will all be thinking positive thoughts for you.
((hugs))
glennie
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Dunesleeper, prayers for your onc visit that day too. Very tough to face, and I'm so sorry. But I'll be praying and hoping for better than you're expecting. Please keep us posted.
Gentle hugs,
Binney0 -
Dune - Sending you hugs and prayers that things are better than you think..
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(((Dune)))0 -
Thanks y'all. Big day: 12/4. Keep GmaFoley in those prayers. I'm glad to have them too, but Gma has an actual procedure scheduled.
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Dune - I'm sure there is enough prayers for the both of us. Different situations, but we both would like things to go smoothly.
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hmm, may need some more chocolate
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Agreed. More chocolate.
I'm so sad. It's snowing. With what happened in Buffalo, it scares me. Geez what a wimp. I guess I'll leave about an hour early for my 10 minute meeting with the shrink.
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