I had breast cancer in 1996. I never had any noticeable swelling until February 2017. At that time I went back to my surgeon & they then did message and compression. I did this for 3 months with some improvements but swelling again. I suppose you could say I gave up & started researching other treatments. That is when I saw article about Dr. Forte & patient Joni Carithers,...
I wear a sleeve most days & a “ready wrap” if I over use arm. I cannot say my arm is worse but I would love to live without the sleeve. I am left handed & yes my issue is with my left arm.
I had breast cancer in 1996. I never had any noticeable swelling until February 2017. At that time I went back to my surgeon & they then did message and compression. I did this for 3 months with some improvements but swelling again. I suppose you could say I gave up & started researching other treatments. That is when I saw article about Dr. Forte & patient Joni Carithers,...
I wear a sleeve most days & a “ready wrap” if I over use arm. I cannot say my arm is worse but I would love to live without the sleeve. I am left handed & yes my issue is with my left arm.
@dcollier
I'm sorry you are going through this and I hope for a brighter future for you. The medical facility I belong to (Kaiser) promotes physical therapy exercises for women at least 10 weeks out of surgery or radiation. Apparently, there is a study showing that by doing this twice a week that lymphedema does not start and for those with lymphedema it helps symptoms. The program comprises of 4, 1-hr sessions where you start with warm up (10 minutes on bicycle) followed by a series of stretching exercises. As the weeks progress, they add weights and core strengthening and all of this is finished off by then the stretching exercises. I'm finding it is helping me considerably with my balance as well as reducing fatigue. Here is an article discussing this: https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/lymphedema/exercise
I have been dealing with Lymphedema in my left arm arm following left mastectomy and axillary node dissection 3 month ago. I am seeing a physical therapist twice weekly for manual lymphatic massages and have to wear a compression sleeve and camisole to help manage the symptoms. I am left handed, work as a nurse and have been looking for an alternative way to deal with this debilitating side effect. I asked my surgeon about lymph node transfer, he said there was no surgeon in Kentucky specialized and his hospital which is also the hospital I work for does not do that surgery. I would like to know if anyone has had a lymph node transfer or Lymphovenous bypass and were they successful!
I have been dealing with Lymphedema in my left arm arm following left mastectomy and axillary node dissection 3 month ago. I am seeing a physical therapist twice weekly for manual lymphatic massages and have to wear a compression sleeve and camisole to help manage the symptoms. I am left handed, work as a nurse and have been looking for an alternative way to deal with this debilitating side effect. I asked my surgeon about lymph node transfer, he said there was no surgeon in Kentucky specialized and his hospital which is also the hospital I work for does not do that surgery. I would like to know if anyone has had a lymph node transfer or Lymphovenous bypass and were they successful!
I have had bilateral breast cancer 11 years apart and am going for a mastectomy/reconstruction this month. I do not have lymphedema, but am very afraid of getting it. I am not appreciative of most of the medical people I have dealt with having a cavalier attitude about it. If it was them, the story would be different. They just want to do their jobs the easiest way possible. A lot of people in the medical field do not even know about it! WTH? You would think cancer centers would be up to date and be sympathetic about it. Well, forget that...the issue is that the two plastic surgeons that will be doing my reconstruction both do lymph node surgery. I am in NJ. That is not convenient for you, but you may have friends or relatives locally. Anyway, look up Eric Chang MD. Read what healthgrades says about him. They both do microsurgery. Dr Ibrahim is my doctor, but is Dr Chang’s associate at the Plastic Surgery Center.
I have had bilateral breast cancer 11 years apart and am going for a mastectomy/reconstruction this month. I do not have lymphedema, but am very afraid of getting it. I am not appreciative of most of the medical people I have dealt with having a cavalier attitude about it. If it was them, the story would be different. They just want to do their jobs the easiest way possible. A lot of people in the medical field do not even know about it! WTH? You would think cancer centers would be up to date and be sympathetic about it. Well, forget that...the issue is that the two plastic surgeons that will be doing my reconstruction both do lymph node surgery. I am in NJ. That is not convenient for you, but you may have friends or relatives locally. Anyway, look up Eric Chang MD. Read what healthgrades says about him. They both do microsurgery. Dr Ibrahim is my doctor, but is Dr Chang’s associate at the Plastic Surgery Center.
Thank you sandy for the Information, I will definitely look into it, I agree with you that there is a need for educating healthcare providers on how to provide compassionate care, stay up to date on research and also take the time to listen and educate. Thank you again
I have been dealing with Lymphedema in my left arm arm following left mastectomy and axillary node dissection 3 month ago. I am seeing a physical therapist twice weekly for manual lymphatic massages and have to wear a compression sleeve and camisole to help manage the symptoms. I am left handed, work as a nurse and have been looking for an alternative way to deal with this debilitating side effect. I asked my surgeon about lymph node transfer, he said there was no surgeon in Kentucky specialized and his hospital which is also the hospital I work for does not do that surgery. I would like to know if anyone has had a lymph node transfer or Lymphovenous bypass and were they successful!
I know this is an older post but did you have Lymph node transfer surgery? I had a mastectomy on the right side in 2020. Lymphedema began a year later in my right arm. I've been going to therapy for MLD and wear a compression sleeve 24/7. I am scheduled for Lymph node transfer with DIEP flap surgery in October 2023 . Wanted to know if you had success with surgery?
Hello, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020. They took 16 lymph nodes from me! My arm is swelling up and I’m feeling really bad. Starting to cry every day about my precious body… I would have NEVER recommended that amount of lymph nodes to be removed from my body… I know how hard I’ve worked to keep a healthy body, Not perfect but I try & struggle daily with being healthy.
Is there any hope for lymphedema????
I feel like fluids are invading my body.
I’m so upset as I type, tears are not stopping. I feel so violated also disgusted. This feeling is getting stronger.
Hello, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020. They took 16 lymph nodes from me! My arm is swelling up and I’m feeling really bad. Starting to cry every day about my precious body… I would have NEVER recommended that amount of lymph nodes to be removed from my body… I know how hard I’ve worked to keep a healthy body, Not perfect but I try & struggle daily with being healthy.
Is there any hope for lymphedema????
I feel like fluids are invading my body.
I’m so upset as I type, tears are not stopping. I feel so violated also disgusted. This feeling is getting stronger.
My broken heart aches with you upon reading your post! I am so sorry for all you've been through, praying for you at this instance, my friend...
As my own experience goes: my kind-hearted PCP recommended that I see an Occupational Physical Therapist at my post surgery visit; and the wonderful OT/PT did an excellent job to relieve my pain and swelling, and taught me to do specific exercises going forward.. Perhaps you already did all these, tried lymphatic massage and compression therapy? Unfortunately I have no personal experience on surgeries for lymphedema;( Hopefully @cindycrea may share with us her experience of Lymph node transfer surgery last year or other members that went through the surgery for lymphedema may share with us their personal experiences, please?
I pray that you'll get help to relieve the pain soon. Surely our spirits and prayers are alongside you for better health and brighter tomorrow, my friend!
My broken heart aches with you upon reading your post! I am so sorry for all you've been through, praying for you at this instance, my friend...
As my own experience goes: my kind-hearted PCP recommended that I see an Occupational Physical Therapist at my post surgery visit; and the wonderful OT/PT did an excellent job to relieve my pain and swelling, and taught me to do specific exercises going forward.. Perhaps you already did all these, tried lymphatic massage and compression therapy? Unfortunately I have no personal experience on surgeries for lymphedema;( Hopefully @cindycrea may share with us her experience of Lymph node transfer surgery last year or other members that went through the surgery for lymphedema may share with us their personal experiences, please?
I pray that you'll get help to relieve the pain soon. Surely our spirits and prayers are alongside you for better health and brighter tomorrow, my friend!
@lifetraveler i appreciate your support… people that’s not dealing with these issues truly don’t understand how difficult living in these situations truly are. My entire look at life has changed, I think about depth more than a person ever should… enjoying life is forced from me when it shouldn’t be.
I pray for a miracle, I pray that this goes away, I’ve been crying for 3 days straight!! Omg.
You support for me means a lot.
And if I can help you (even though I’m at my lowest) I will, I’m not strong & im tired. Seems like I’ve been surviving all my life & im so tired of living in survival!
Thanks for your kind words I needed that.
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Hi @dcollier, welcome to Connect. I found this article from Mayo Clinic's Ask the Expert series:
- Mayo Clinic Q and A: Lymphedema — when is surgery indicated? https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-lymphedema-when-is-surgery-indicated/
Have you already tried compression therapy and lymphatic massage? Has surgery been suggested for you?
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1 ReactionI had breast cancer in 1996. I never had any noticeable swelling until February 2017. At that time I went back to my surgeon & they then did message and compression. I did this for 3 months with some improvements but swelling again. I suppose you could say I gave up & started researching other treatments. That is when I saw article about Dr. Forte & patient Joni Carithers,...
I wear a sleeve most days & a “ready wrap” if I over use arm. I cannot say my arm is worse but I would love to live without the sleeve. I am left handed & yes my issue is with my left arm.
@dcollier
I'm sorry you are going through this and I hope for a brighter future for you. The medical facility I belong to (Kaiser) promotes physical therapy exercises for women at least 10 weeks out of surgery or radiation. Apparently, there is a study showing that by doing this twice a week that lymphedema does not start and for those with lymphedema it helps symptoms. The program comprises of 4, 1-hr sessions where you start with warm up (10 minutes on bicycle) followed by a series of stretching exercises. As the weeks progress, they add weights and core strengthening and all of this is finished off by then the stretching exercises. I'm finding it is helping me considerably with my balance as well as reducing fatigue. Here is an article discussing this: https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/lymphedema/exercise
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI have been dealing with Lymphedema in my left arm arm following left mastectomy and axillary node dissection 3 month ago. I am seeing a physical therapist twice weekly for manual lymphatic massages and have to wear a compression sleeve and camisole to help manage the symptoms. I am left handed, work as a nurse and have been looking for an alternative way to deal with this debilitating side effect. I asked my surgeon about lymph node transfer, he said there was no surgeon in Kentucky specialized and his hospital which is also the hospital I work for does not do that surgery. I would like to know if anyone has had a lymph node transfer or Lymphovenous bypass and were they successful!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI have had bilateral breast cancer 11 years apart and am going for a mastectomy/reconstruction this month. I do not have lymphedema, but am very afraid of getting it. I am not appreciative of most of the medical people I have dealt with having a cavalier attitude about it. If it was them, the story would be different. They just want to do their jobs the easiest way possible. A lot of people in the medical field do not even know about it! WTH? You would think cancer centers would be up to date and be sympathetic about it. Well, forget that...the issue is that the two plastic surgeons that will be doing my reconstruction both do lymph node surgery. I am in NJ. That is not convenient for you, but you may have friends or relatives locally. Anyway, look up Eric Chang MD. Read what healthgrades says about him. They both do microsurgery. Dr Ibrahim is my doctor, but is Dr Chang’s associate at the Plastic Surgery Center.
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Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsThank you sandy for the Information, I will definitely look into it, I agree with you that there is a need for educating healthcare providers on how to provide compassionate care, stay up to date on research and also take the time to listen and educate. Thank you again
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Hug
2 ReactionsI know this is an older post but did you have Lymph node transfer surgery? I had a mastectomy on the right side in 2020. Lymphedema began a year later in my right arm. I've been going to therapy for MLD and wear a compression sleeve 24/7. I am scheduled for Lymph node transfer with DIEP flap surgery in October 2023 . Wanted to know if you had success with surgery?
Hello, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020. They took 16 lymph nodes from me! My arm is swelling up and I’m feeling really bad. Starting to cry every day about my precious body… I would have NEVER recommended that amount of lymph nodes to be removed from my body… I know how hard I’ve worked to keep a healthy body, Not perfect but I try & struggle daily with being healthy.
Is there any hope for lymphedema????
I feel like fluids are invading my body.
I’m so upset as I type, tears are not stopping. I feel so violated also disgusted. This feeling is getting stronger.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsHi! @gerjuanna:
My broken heart aches with you upon reading your post! I am so sorry for all you've been through, praying for you at this instance, my friend...
As my own experience goes: my kind-hearted PCP recommended that I see an Occupational Physical Therapist at my post surgery visit; and the wonderful OT/PT did an excellent job to relieve my pain and swelling, and taught me to do specific exercises going forward.. Perhaps you already did all these, tried lymphatic massage and compression therapy? Unfortunately I have no personal experience on surgeries for lymphedema;( Hopefully @cindycrea may share with us her experience of Lymph node transfer surgery last year or other members that went through the surgery for lymphedema may share with us their personal experiences, please?
I pray that you'll get help to relieve the pain soon. Surely our spirits and prayers are alongside you for better health and brighter tomorrow, my friend!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@lifetraveler i appreciate your support… people that’s not dealing with these issues truly don’t understand how difficult living in these situations truly are. My entire look at life has changed, I think about depth more than a person ever should… enjoying life is forced from me when it shouldn’t be.
I pray for a miracle, I pray that this goes away, I’ve been crying for 3 days straight!! Omg.
You support for me means a lot.
And if I can help you (even though I’m at my lowest) I will, I’m not strong & im tired. Seems like I’ve been surviving all my life & im so tired of living in survival!
Thanks for your kind words I needed that.
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Helpful -
Hug
5 Reactions