Arm lymphoedema advice

Hi Jillyflower,

i developed this shorty after my operation to remove lymph nodes and mine was in my groin. I had heard about a special massage that you could have and I mentioned it to one of the helpers at a cancer charity, Helen Rollason that I was attending and she got the telephone number from one of the ladies that had used this therapist and recommended her. I had 1 session and think I paid about £30 - £35 for 1 hour session and she showed me how to massage to get the drainage working but I could go back to her for more sessions.  I continued to do this at home and the lymph which was about the size of a large golf ball disappeared. My surgeon when I went for my check up was surprised.

i hope this is of some help, as I was so pleased with this therapist. I did carry on with the moisturising as well.

good luck x

My oncologist referred me to a specialist lymphoedema clinic where my arm and hands were measured every six months. I was given the sleeves and gloves and the moisturising cream. I was given excellent professional advice by the specialist. The best and most effective advice in practice was to loose weight. Hard to hear when you’ve been overweight for as long as I’ve been. However I went to slimming world and lost 2 stones. The swelling in my arm and hands reduced dramatically and I’ve had few problems since. I still wear the glove. I can’t keep up a tight grip for long but it’s not a hard price to pay.