Lymphedema - Things that could help?

Hi

Although I know you would rather not be here Welcome . 

My story is on my profile but 10 weeks from right side masectomy and day 6 second chemo .

I'm sure you will get lots of replies with reference to Lymphedema.from people who have  more knowledge than me ,I only had sentinel node removal (5) So not as high a risk .

Hope your feeling well after your op . What I found helpful  was do all the excercise to gain good movement back . Also I do now take more care wearing household gloves for daily tasks .In the garden not all the time but when pruning weeding etc.strong gloves and tops with sleeves , covered feet .

I do think the most important think is the hygiene aspect if you do get a scratch / cut ,especially the ones you can't see . So I now am slightly OCD with Hygiene Gels hand pumps .

Again welcome this is the right place to get answers from people who know !

Hi there I had all my lymph glands removed 26 years ago and have tried to be very careful with that hand/arm but i have over the years had a few cuts and grazes which I don't think can be helped and altho I've been in for several other breast operations since I only have a very slight bit of swelling to that arm which isn't too noticeable and is not being treated. Nevertheless I am always aware that I need to protect it so I tend to switch hands to do certain things or wear gloves when gardening as my protection. 

I am currently considering to have a hydrafacial of which the first step of it is to detox - which starts the lymphatic drainage and pushes it around your body but although I've asked if that part is safe to have done without causing lymphedema I don't seem to be able to get a clear answer apart from omitting the first step and carry on with step 2 to 6 - 

HAS ANYONE HAD IT DONE AND WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS

Hi

I had full node removal 13 years ago. 

The risk of infection is a worry. So this is a list of things I do

Keep my arms covered when surrounded by biting insects plus insect repellent.

Lots of hand washing.

Gloves when gardening and dead heading.

Get things checked  by pharmacist. When you explain why you are concerned they are usually very helpful.

Lavender oil is a natural antiseptic and comes in a little bottle.Always in pocket.

I avoid cats.

Walk with walking poles. It gives me balance and keeps my hands up so fingers don't swell.

I don't have injections, blood tests or blood pressure taken on that arm.

This is also a list of things I do

Have acrylic nails. They say it's risky but if you have a good technician who sterilized instruments why not.

Teach primary school. Love it especially being creative.

Basically I do everything I always did.

They've just taken five nodes from the other arm so the blood pressure Tec will be interesting.

This is in your head but you cannot stop living your life. Think I'll have my flu jab in my bum.

P.S.

Just thought of another couple.

Peel veg with a peeler. 

Always use sharp knives, less likely to cut yourself.

I take antihistamines when I've been bitten. It's usually the itching and scratching that introduces infection.

Thanks! Very helpful! 

Swimming is good for keeping lymph flowing , I had 10 lymph nodes removed and have arm and breast lymphodoema,I notice the difference when I don’t swim . Good luck 

Thanks!

Hi I had full clearance about 3 years ago. I was initially concerned but don’t really think about it now.  I do wear long sleeves and Factor 30 in the sun.  The only real change I’ve made is that I now wear my watch on my other wrist!

Thanks that is really reassuring!!

Hi , I developed breast lymphoedema after radiotherapy. The lympho nurse advised me to take up Nordic walking, which I now do weekly, and/or swimming/ aquarobics - I swam daily on holiday but have let it slip. The walking improved it so much in 8 weeks that I was discharged from the lympho clinic! Also I still do the post op exercises. My everyday practices are: long sleeves at work (I am a special needs teacher so at risk of bites and scratches), long sleeves/ high factor suncream, take antihistamine in advance if risk of biting insects, rubber gloves for cleaning. On recent holiday to Bali I took loads of insect repellent and took antihistmaine daily, as well as wearing long sleeved cotton shirts. I was very anxious about it all but had a great time and it was all fine! HFxx