Lymphedema - Lymphedema Message Board

penybobeny · 07-25-2007, 01:46 PM

First, I appologise for posting here, I do not have BC, but I cannot find where else to post on this question and this is a condition sometimes associated with post-op BC patients.

I have what appears to be lymphedema in both upper arms and my entire left arm (my left arm and right arm look like the belong on two different people... and have looked that way for years)

I have pointed out to just about every Dr I see that my left arm is bigger (6cm below shoulder, 3cm below elbow and 2cm at wrist and palm, my knuckles actually dimple in on my left hand) and it is a firm swelling, it used to swell and be soft and sometimes go away, but now it seems to be getting harder. When I show it to a Dr they just say "hmm, that is unusual" then forget about it. I can no longer straighten my left arm completely and decided to do my own hunt for answers and came across lymphedema.

My question is... what kind of Dr do you see for this?
What can I do at home to try to make it more comfortable and useful?

Thanks for any help.

Beppie1 · 07-25-2007, 03:08 PM

I dont have the answer for you but wondered if you looked on an American Cancer Society site or just internet searched, "lymphadema" on ****** or dogpile or soemthing like that.

I was warned about lymphadema if they had to take out more lymph nodes but they did not.

I would wonder about a doctor that would just say, "hmmmm...........interesting!", when obviously there are discomfort and health issues.

cjammom · 07-25-2007, 05:18 PM

hi peny, from what i know about lymphedema, anyone can get it when there have been nodes removed..have you had some kind of surgery where nodes were removed?
there are people who specialize in lymphedema treatment..that is who I would seek out if it happened to me. I have had 32 nodes remove because of breast cancer, I am at a high risk for developing this..it can be caused by tight clothing, bug bites, burns..etc when the body is signaled there is an infection..I too would contact the american cancer society, and ask them who in your area is trained in treating lymphedema..
best wishes to you,
hugs,
cj.

penybobeny · 07-26-2007, 12:07 AM

Thank you for your responses... I have not had any lymph nodes removed, but have had severe infections in lymph nodes themselves that ended up either bursting on their own or being lanced.

I will contact the American Cancer Society and request the information from them.

Again, thanks!

shaa47 · 07-26-2007, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by penybobeny

First, I appologise for posting here, I do not have BC, but I cannot find where else to post on this question and this is a condition sometimes associated with post-op BC patients.

I have what appears to be lymphedema in both upper arms and my entire left arm (my left arm and right arm look like the belong on two different people... and have looked that way for years)

I have pointed out to just about every Dr I see that my left arm is bigger (6cm below shoulder, 3cm below elbow and 2cm at wrist and palm, my knuckles actually dimple in on my left hand) and it is a firm swelling, it used to swell and be soft and sometimes go away, but now it seems to be getting harder. When I show it to a Dr they just say "hmm, that is unusual" then forget about it. I can no longer straighten my left arm completely and decided to do my own hunt for answers and came across lymphedema.

My question is... what kind of Dr do you see for this?
What can I do at home to try to make it more comfortable and useful?

Thanks for any help.

hi. i have lymphedema in my leg. all they say is get support stockings. but my leg is now getting very painful. i have had alot of tests and they have found nothing. i would say a vascular dr. u should go to. i just went to one. i got a few tests and i dont know what the results are but the lady that did it (doppler on my leg for veins and arteries) said it looks pretty normal to me. grrr good luck in your search...