Kicking LEs butt!! Exercise & Self Care Log
Comments
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Faith - yes, you should get a gauntlet or glove and wear it when you wear the sleeves.
I put the compression bra & sleeves on when I'm dressing for the airport. I put the gauntlets on after I'm seated in the airplane before take off. I was advised to keep compression on for an hour after the plane lands. That allows the lymph fluid & gasses to equalize back to the pressure on land w/o ballooning. But in practice, I've had to take off the gauntlets almost immediately to schlep my bags. Even with the sleeves on, I pump my arms regularly. I know the people in the seats behind me must think I'm nuts.
I don't know about your layover. I guess you could have the sleeves & glove off for an hour, but how do you get them off when they're underneath your clothes? Have you tried cornstarch under the sleeves to help the itch? I'm sure someone else will jump in with some ideas.
I would not put the sleeve on only after you land. The difference in the pressure at altitude & the change taking off & landing cause the problems if I understand correctly. Again, I hope someone more knowledgeable than I am will see your question.
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hi...
I have mild lymphadema and it is just in the upper arm, armpit and right breast. I wear my sleevecwith travel and take it off during the layovers. Definitely wear your sleeve. I don't wear a glove or gauntlet and did not swell. I guess it depends on where your swelling is....
Jackie
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Jackie, thanks for your reply. It's good to hear that you had no swelling by just wearing the sleeve only. It also helps me to make this decision which is giving me lots of anxiety. Of course, the whole travel thing has always been a problem for me and it's made worse now that I'm dealing with the cancer and LE. I'm usually fine once we arrive but I'm a worrier and it's a hard habit to break.
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Hi Faith,
Like Jackie, I have mild lymphedema only in my upper arm, but when I fly internationally (at least twice a year) I always wear a glove. At least one expert says it should be a glove and not a gauntlet when you fly
http://www.lymphedemablog.com/2015/04/17/lymphedem...
And like MinusTwo, I pump my arms and move around the cabin as much as possible. I go to the back and make a fool of myself trying to get as much movement as possible in!
As for the itching, try to work up to wearing the sleeve by adding an hour a day. Cornstarch is a great idea - I sprinkle it on sometimes - and I also use a silicone fitting lotion on my elbows, which get dry. This one below, but there must be lots more types out there, and I'd add that this bottle LEAKS, although the solution works wonderfully.
https://www.brightlifedirect.com/alps-fitting-loti...
Hopefully, people with more experience than I have will chime in, and thanks to all of you for all the advice I've read here!
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Hi all. It's been a roller coaster with this finger. So far they say I had an allergic reaction to Polysporin. Finger on mend but not out of the woods yet. I proceeded exercising with caution and weight lifted without using my finger. Check out finger pic the yellow part is rock hard like paraffin wax feeling. Finally got into a proper wound doc that knew something about lymphatic. Ya hoo! Was so scared I was going to loose finger.
I put off my gym membership for the time being but will start soon and I have done the same program at home but scaled back. Thinking of all that were affected by Irma. What a wild beast. Hope all can get back to normal soon.
Miss you all. Keep pumping away. I even wiggled my toes to keep moving in emergency and pumped arms, belly breathed.
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hugz, interesting about your finger being yellow. As my nail is growing out, it is also yellow and thick. I wonder if that's just the way things eventually look as they heal? The dermatologist's PA also thought I had an allergic reaction to the neosporin. The problem now is the thumb is red and sore at the end and just doesn't want to heal. Every time I think it's a little better and skip the ointment it's sore again. I see my MO today and will ask if it's because of the letrozole or just a weak immune system?
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Hugz - so glad to hear your finger is on the mend. I was really worried not hearing from you for a week. Glad you're able to exercise your toes - LOL.
Off to Silver Sneakers this morning. I missed any exercise for 2 weeks with Harvey and now water aerobics is over for the season. I'll have to figure out how to maintain this winger. Going out of town next week to see some old friends, so my exercise will be packing & cleaning house the rest of this week.
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Hugz, your finger looks much better - so glad you're on the mend. What a scare!!!
I have a question for all you committed exercisers. DH & I are heading out tomorrow for the coast of Maine & I won't have access to a gym during the week we're there. Can anyone suggest an alternative to weightlifting that would provide similar benefits? And, if I can't lift weights for the week, should I reduce my weights when I return or am I ok to pick up where I left off? (We're driving so I don't have to worry about air pressure but I'm still learning how to accommodate my lymphedema.) I've been lifting weights for several years (although I took a 3-month break after my lumpectomy & reduced all my weights when I resumed), if that makes a difference. I plan lots of walks on the beach & many leisurely strolls through the scenic coastal towns but will miss the weightlifting.
ChiSandy, I know you travel & lift weights regularly. What works for you? Thanks in advance!
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Hugz, your finger looks much better - so glad you're on the mend. What a scare!!!
I have a question for all you committed exercisers. DH & I are heading out tomorrow for the coast of Maine & I won't have access to a gym during the week we're there. Can anyone suggest an alternative to weightlifting that would provide similar benefits? And, if I can't lift weights for the week, should I reduce my weights when I return or am I ok to pick up where I left off? (We're driving so I don't have to worry about air pressure but I'm still learning how to accommodate my lymphedema.) I've been lifting weights for several years (although I took a 3-month break after my lumpectomy & reduced all my weights when I resumed), if that makes a difference. I plan lots of walks on the beach & many leisurely strolls through the scenic coastal towns but will miss the weightlifting.
ChiSandy, I know you travel & lift weights regularly. What works for you? Thanks in advance!
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JKLTechnically you need to back off your weights when you get back and test out what you've lost regaining strength carefully by working up to appropriate weight. Not saying that you lift 25 pounds so you'll think you'll start off to see if you can lift 25.
A week isn't to long to loose much muscle especially if you remain active. Be extra careful when you get home if you have done zero on your muscles.
For me, If I was gone for say two weeks and did nothing, I know my lymphedema upper body and would pretty much go back to three pound weights not one pounders which we should all start out with at square one. I normally lift about 7.5 for for my triceps now and would use that as a gauge. If I was gone up to three weeks I'd start fresh over with one pounds. Each person is different. I'm a old dog and loose muscle quicker. This is really individual.
Fortunately during finger wound I was able to back off only a little on weight. Lifted carefully 2-3 times a week. When my finger was huge swollen for a couple days I didn't lift at all. Didn't (and still don't) use finger to wrap around holding weight and so I should bounce back quick. Of course I'm on strict watch taking pics daily. Noting any changes especially while exercising. Each person needs to learn their OWN body. So individual we are especially with LE. Ugh tough learning curve for what works for us each.
You will be cardio active so that's a plus for waist down.
I pack most of my weights because their under ten lbs (I only take one weight of each weight) but this doesn't sound feasible because you may be lifting heavier. Can you do a drop in at gym even for 30-45 min to get the job done I've done this before. I'm looking into buying weights that you fill with water or sand but it's too late for this.
On vaca for upper body I volunteer to do the bull work, such as carrying groceries that are in my limits. Anything that helps use your upper muscles so they don't fade. If your full luggage is not awkward and is within your weight limits such as carry on and has handles on each side use this for bicep curls etc. But please don't lift luggage hefting it around such as overhead if your not use to this. Something that sudden could cause a le flare.
Look around to see what you can use in your hotel to invent a weight. You can even lift your DH legs if he's sitting. (Don't most watch tv and drink beer on vaca at some point on their trip!) Just don't pick him up! Should be a good laugh if anything.
If your cooking use big cans for triceps or fluid filled milk jugs, half gallons with handles etc. Hold those items on your belly and do half sit-ups not going all the way back to laying position. Keep core tight. Whew! Hard for me to do even 15 with a 15 lb weight. Use belly to steady weight if you don't use this weight for arms like I don't.
Or just go out and by one appropriate weight that you can't do without at Walmart and ditch when done. Shouldn't be expensive. In a pool water excerises are great. Theseideas sound crazy but work! Get creative!
My ideas are just enough to get you thru inexpensively for a week. Hopefully chi sandy will have ideas as you say she's a traveler.
Don't forget you tube. All kinds of exercises there. Just be sure if your going to do them it's not a new muscle group to avoid a LE flare. Bring your wrapping gear / night garment incase you do flare for any reason.
All the rest of you newbie exercisers start off with one pound. Take notes for any unusual feelings. Once you have no ill effects move up slowly. It took me several weeks to move up from one lb as I was sedentary on upper body. I only do one set of 15 now with heavier weights. We are in this together and long term. Keep plugging away
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Thanks for all the great ideas, Hugz. I'm going to look into weights I can fill (I didn't even know such things existed!). We're renting a house (so I have a mailing address) & Amazon Prime is always an option. Great idea about looking for a local gym, too. I'm feeling more confident about leaving my gym behind (now that I'm on an AI I worry about bone density a lot). Love your creativity - you've been a great help.
Keep taking good care of that finger!
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JKL - Hugz has covered your question really well. I was going to suggest gallon water bottles & food cans, but she has some even better ideas. Have a great time.
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Hugs you really have some good ideas. I would vote for half gallon or gallon milk jugs. Take empty ones with you and fill with water or sand,
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Hi all, back from gym. All went well. Didn't wrap my wound finger around weights and backed off my rowing to four mins at a lower level instead of 6 min at highest level. Finger improving slowly although still rock hard.
Let's move girls!
Minus enjoy your travels to friends. Maybe get in a few walks etc. How about lifting some water filled milk jugs to your abilityif you are able?
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Okback in the swing at the gym. Felt so good. Short legs flew!
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Glad you are back Hugz. I am hoping to get to Aqua class on Tues. Been busy cleaning up after Hurricane Irma! But the gym has power! So I gotta make the effort!
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glennie.Awe how awful. You must be so busy with clean up. Did you get much damage to your home? Wow you have a lot on your plate. Kudos for trying to fit exercise in?
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House is OK! Backyard flooded and came onto the porch, but not in the house! YAY!! Just lots of tree debris to pick up!! Branches everywhere.
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Glennie, so glad you're safe, and sorry you're so busy with this clean-up craziness. Take it kinda easy, yes?
Whew!
Binney0 -
glennie- watch out for Maria! I hope she settles down before making land! I have family in Tampa, Naples and Mount Dora so I was glued to the TV for days!
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I am pacing myself. And remembering to wear sleeve!! Handyman just blew off the roof today, so there is more to pick up, but it's work time now, so that will wait until tomorrow.
Yes, I'm hoping Maria curves around and goes out to sea.
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Glenni, yes you are so smart wearing compression. You won't need a workout. Yard cleanup like that isbeyond a normal exercise day at the gym! Please don't overdo it. Leave heavy stuff to to the Men and teens. Elevate arm during frequent breaks. Deep breath. Water to
Workout yesterday.
Watching Maria hoping she dies. So devasting season you have all had down south. Wake up call for me. In the midst of Refreshing my earthquake kit. It's not if,but when, in the west coast.
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Off to gym to kick le in the butt! Will you too
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Hugz, how about a finger update? Hoping that's continuing to heal and soften!
Not off to a gym, but I'm getting my steps in today close to home. Also, cooling off here (under 100 degrees all week!), so getting outside morning and evening is WONDERFUL!!!
Hugs,
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Binney. Oh my I really couldn't do 100 degrees. 70 here now and finding it my ideal temp. Sunny but I don't get overheated outside when puttering around.
Well girls I got a brand new finger with skin of a baby's bottom. Yeah your all jealous huh! It hasn't seen the world since aug 1 and I still have a bandaid on the tender little wound.
I see dermy doc tomorrow. I'm telling you this finger was a full time job. Three huge boxes of bandaids. Taking 10!minutes twice a day to change dressing over the past few weeks. One box of medical gloves used up.
I'll post a pic. It's not gross anymore and the hard part cracked off. You will see some of the old skin but it's almost back to normal. just dying to pull off that dang old skin but don't dare to. Still so scared I'll pierce it on something and have to start all over again. Paranoid.
Back at gym and loving it.
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NOT paranoid! Just smart and savvy. And, yeah, that sure does look new and tender. You have enviable self-control, Hugz--even if there were no other reason to protect it (which there obviously is!), I'd have to keep it bandaged just to keep myself from picking at it!
Whew! And congrats!
Binney0 -
good looking skin Hugz!
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Hugz - looking good. Whew!!!
As for temperatures, I try not to walk outside during the middle of the day in the summer - 100 degrees AND 100% humidity. You get to where 80 feels like a cool spell. 70 is actually chilly.
I've been out of town. I did walk several miles most days but really missed other exercise. I'll be glad to get back to Silver Sneakers tomorrow.
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Hugz- that has got to feel good! What a victory! I am also a "picker " and would struggle with leaving it alone of it were my finger!
I just finished a round of antibiotics for a sinus infection and now for the first time in 15 years I'm dealing with a yeast infection. I truly didn't expect this! I have done all the good things...Kiefer, yogurt with probiotics, soaking in a tub of warm water with organic vinegar and using organic coconut oil as a topical. Today I call my NP and got a prescription for Diflucan. This is just another reminder the my immune system isn't up to parr. It makes me so mad!
Now for LE talk, I got my new night garment. I have slept in it for 2 nights now with no issues. I like the the arm part does not have the thumb/ hand part. It makes my 2 am trip to the bathroom to pee so much easier. ..lol.
I have PT on Thursday. I only have a few visits left. I appreciate this thread and all it offers to us newbies.
When you ladies refer to arm pumping...what exactly do you mean?
♡♡♡♡
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so, how do I know if I have truncal LE. My foob. Esp. Under and to the side still feel like heavy waterballoons. It's been 10 weeks since my pre pectoral exchange. Any thoughts? If I decide to go.see a PT, is PS the appropriate person to ask for a referral?
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