I had mx and full node clearance in November 08. I’ve often had an achey arm and hand but there has never been any sign of swelling, until today!
This week my arm has felt (and looked) slightly bruised in the crease where they take blood tests and my hand has been really aching when I’ve tried to do things with it. At first I put this down to over use as I was driving for 3 hours.
However today my hand is actually swollen, very painful and it feels like the skin is going to split when I try to move it to do anything. I had to take my ring off with difficulty as it was really cutting into my finger and now I’ve taken it off you can see deep scores where it was.
If this is the start of lymphoedema should I do exercises, or anything else to help it as it is pretty painful.
It could very well be lymphoedema and you should get your GP to refer you to a lymphoedema clinic for assessment. You say that it is very painful and it appears to have come on quite quickly so there’s a possibility that it might be an infection - cellulitis. If it becomes hot and/or gets any more painful over the weekend, you should go and see an emergency doctor or A&E since cellulitis can be very serious if untreated.
You can read more about the symptoms and treatment of Lymphoedema on this website lymphoedema.org, but definitely get to a doctor for proper assessment as soon as you can.
I wouldn’t do any exercises just in case it is cellulitis. Rest your arm as much as possible (use a cushion) and see your GP or breast care nurse for a referal.
If it is lymphoedema you will be shown the correct exercise and massage to manage this condition.
Elsk is right if it becomes hot, red, more painful, you need to get it seen to asap. Also if you develop flu like symptoms (which I did) it can be a sign of cellulitis.
Hi
Attended a lymphoedema awareness session this week. Advice if we had any swelling was to rest the arm on a pillow or cushion, slightly bent and with the hand raised higher than the elbow and rest for at least half an hour. Also to ring bcn as soon as poss for referral or advice,
Hope this is of some help,
Ali.
Thanks for advice, I will keep an eye on it but can’t get to the GP until Tuesday, I don’t have a breast care nurse as I live in France and Monday is a bank holiday here (all saints day).
I’ve looked up the symptoms of cellulitis and see it can be caught through an insect bite, and strangely enough where the vein is that has been hurting it also felt like a bite although it wasn’t itchy, but there was a reddened area along the crease.
Sounds like cellulitis to me too, not that I’m any sort of expert. Is there any way you can get to a hospital under A&E in France ??? If it does turn out to be cellulitis, it needs treating as a matter of urgency. I have lymphoedema and was warned that if I get any inflammation/redness/swelling etc, to get to GP or A&E asap to get antibiotics to halt it.
Hope this isn’t too scary sounding but it was stressed to me how important it is to get it sorted quickly.
If it is still painful and swollen tomorrow morning I think I might go to A&E, but I do hate making a fuss and feel a nuisance. Two of my knuckles are pretty red and I have a slight redness on the back of the hand but this has only developed in the last hour or so.
Peacock - I’m sure none of us like to feel we’re making a fuss but you really MUST go to A&E URGENTLY as it’s getting worse. They won’t think you’re being a nuisance I’m sure. Honest !
After sleeping with my hand propped higher than my elbow on a pillow this morning the swelling is still a little visible but I can move my hand today without any pain, which I couldn’t yesterday, there is no sign of heat/redness so I think it should be ok to wait until Tuesday to see my dr.
Unfortunately I live in rural France, the streets have no lights and I hate driving in the dark and I am by myself at the mo as OH is away so getting to the hospital last night wasn’t an option.
I need to do some work on the computer today but will try not to aggravate it and will make sure I keep it rested again as much as possible.
Well after last writing I’m back to say I went to A&E this morning because my hand started to get incredibly painful as I was using it more.
They don’t think it is lympoedema (because they say it generally affects the whole arm?) and is not usually painful (?) and they don’t think it is an infection as the hand is not hot or red.
But they think it might be phlebitis (sp) although they couldn’t do an ultrasound because it is Sunday, so I’ve had an injection (Lovenox), have to have one tomorrow too and then go for a scan on Tuesday.
I thought you only got phlebitis in the legs and feet
Glad you went to hospital even if it was cos your arm was getting painful. I’ve googled phlebitis and it can occur in arm although leg is more common. Not sue if you wanted to know this ! My lymphoedema is from my elbow upwards and on the side of my body underneath the affected arm and round the shoulder when it’s worse. Plus it’s above my collarbone to the top of my shoulder, although I gather that’s not usual.
Hope you get good results and treatment to get it sorted asap.
I developed lymphoedema recently too and it affects my arm from the crook of my elbow to my hand. The hand swells mostly around the thumb and index finger but sometimes (when I work it too hard) the whole hand swells. The upper part of my arm doesn’t seem to be affected. There’s also some swelling in my trunk where the band of my bra restricts the lymph flow.
You mentioned that they take blood samples from the area. You really shouldn’t allow them to take blood (or take your blood pressure) from your affected side as both increase the risk of lymphoedema. Make sure they take it from the other side in future.
Hi Jan, no I never let them take BP or a blood test from the affected arm and haven’t done since the operation.
This “phlebitis” just seems to have developed of its own accord which is strange because it usually occurs after a blood test or from a drip in the back of the hand, in my case neither has happened. Hope you get your lymphoedema sorted soon.
Hi Peacock. Hope you get your phlebitis sorted too.
The lymphoedema is permanent once it happens but at least it’s not getting any worse. I was at the clinic on Tuesday and it measured the same as last time. I just keep doing the exercises.