I am getting a bit down about my newly diagnosed lymphodema. I am fortunate in that it is only mild but have a bit of problem getting the sleeve right. I had an arm sleeve which was fine and reduced the swelling but this caused my hand to start swelling. So now I have a gauntlett which i can’t keep clean and it seems to be leaving a lot of imprints on my wrist area.
The nurse has been great and is ordering me a different sleeve although I doubt I’ll get it now until after Christmas because all the post is delayed.
Does it take a while to get sorted? I’m trying not to panic about it all. Also what to do about my wedding ring? I’ve stopped wearing it, does this mean I can’t ever wear rings on that hand?
Can anyone help me calm down about it all please…
thanks, Elinda
Sometimes it is a bit hit and miss with the sleeves even though they measure for them etc. My lymphoedema is comparatively mild and in my upper arm, trunk under arm and into neck/collar bone area so I can still wear rings on that hand (sometimes they are a tiny bit tighter - say in summer) but I was advised to wear watch on my other wrist. My mum has had the same advice - she still wears her wedding ring etc and her fingers are swollen due to arthritis.
I admit to not wearing my sleeve as often as I should but it can get uncomfortable during the day when I get hot sweats etc. Naughty girl!
I just got my sleeve yesterday and a DVD on massage. My lympho is only mild but I am anxious that it doesn’t get any worse. My sleeve does not seem very tight to me. I know this might sound stupid but what is the sleeve supposed to do? Force fluid out, or keep fluid from getting in? Any way I hope you get yours sorted soon. Apparently I have developed this v early as I only had my surgery in April, hope that doesn’t mean I am going to get it badly.
Elinda, I have glove and sleeve separate for the same reason. I was told there was a particular type of glove you can cut the fingers bit a bit shorter!! Maybe that will sort out the ring prob?? I’m afraid that it is going to be a long wait. I wait for about 2 weeks for mine to arrive in the post :-(!!
Deb, if I remember it right, the nurses told me that the exercise / massage will help the fluid to flow. And the sleeve will help the muscles to work harder, thus help the fluid flowing.
My hand and small arm has shown some really good improvements after about 2 months - that’s for someone who’s very lazy in doing exercises! The upper arm however, is refusing to back down
Lizcat, talking about hot sweats, I think part of it is the hormonal drugs we’re on!! That’s another excuse for not doing enough exercises. I wonder what it’s going to be like in the summer!
I’m not sure how the compression sleeve works but I’m watching the DVD i got from Lymphodema society tomorrow so I’ll post if it says about that.
I didn’t know you could get glove with fingers, mine only goes to the knuckles. I am a bit concerned that my little finger looks a bit puffy now.
How urgent is it to sort all this out? I can’t see anyone before Christmas now, it will probably be a couple of weeks. I think I’m worried about doing more harm than good with what I’ve got.
Am I getting over anxious about all this?
Oh yes, the joys of hormonal drugs - they certainly don’t help and summer is horrid. I’ve had 3 summers with hot sweats and they haven’t got any better. I just wear sleeveless thin tops and drink a lot of water and sleep on a chillow.
elinda45,
Don’t stress about it too much. Yes it’s important it gets seen to but some women never get that chance and suffer. Enjoy xmas!!
Liz, thank you, you’re right. I phoned the lympho nurse in the end and she basically said what you did, not to worry too much. She said even if the fingers swell a little it will be a compromise with reducing the hand swelling. The main thing is she said that with mild compression I won’t be doing any further damage.
I watched the DVD and apparantly lymph flows one way towards the centre of the body. I don’t totally understand it but I will find out more at some point, for interest.
Thanks everyone for their replies. It’s great having the support.
