early signs of lymphodema

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Hi there.
For the past few mornings I’ve woken to find my hand rather numb and finger joints stiff. For the first 2 days it eased off after a few hours, but today, by early evening, I still have mild pins-and-needles. I cannot detect anty obvious swelling.
COULD THIS BE EARLY SIGNS OF LYMPHODEMA??

I had my surgery in Sept, finished chemo early Feb and have today completed 5th week of RT today - 8 more sessions to go.

I’ve contacted the lymphodema team at my hospital (Marsden, London) but they said they were very booked up and since there was no obvious swelling, there wasn’t an immediate concern.

Am I wrong in thinking that the early use of a glove might possibly nip in the bud any deterioration? I met a woman at a lymphodema workshop at The Haven who swore that her use of a glove as soon as she felt numbness had halted the development of lymphodema.

I have to admit I am very paranoid about the prospect of this condition and having had 16 nodes removed, along with the RT, I know I am susceptible.

All advice very welcome!
thank you

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Hi

numbness and stiff fingers could be circulation or side effects of chemo/RADs. Do you still do your excersises and stretching for that arm?

I did have swelling in my right arm (BC side) during Rads, but hadn’t seen a lympho nurse by then and in fact didn’t see one until months later.

measure your arm circumference( or get someone else to do it ) do about 3 inches below the elbow and 3 inches above and keep an eye on the measurements if there is an increase get back intouch with the lymph clinic and say it is swelling. Do you see a BC nurse at the Rads clinic?

rhian

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Thanks ladies
Rhian - very good idea re the measuring! Why didn’t I think of it?! I’m being a good girl and keeping up the exercises.
I know actually having cancer is the really terrifying thing here, but I can’t bear the thought of anymore crappy side-effects.

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HI,
as well as measuring your arm gently press on your forearm, of affected arm, with another digit, if you leave an indentation it is probably fluid retention, are your rings getting tight/ difficult to remove on affected hand?if so your unit will have more info. to act on. Re. wearing a sleeve there is a clinical trial ongoing at the moment, PLACE, comparing early intervention with sleeve, massage, SLD and exercies V doing massage, SLD, exercises but no sleeve. so at the moment there does n’t appear to be clear cut evidence on which route to take. The lymphoema society-based in London, produce excellent literature/DVD’S on prevention and coping with lymphodema
Barb.

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Sounds like its probably the position you’re sleeping in if it goes off during the day.
I have mild lymphodema and this always settles overnight and only gets worse by the end of the day when I’ve been doing lots of things.

I would say try not to panic. As Norberte says, I can’t see how a sleeve could prevent lymphodema. Either the lymph system is working or it isn’t.

I’d put it all out of mind until I got to see a lymphodema nurse. You’ve got enough to focus on with your rads. Incidentally might be worth mentioning to the radiographer when you have your next rads.

take care, Elinda x

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Thanks Barb - you’ve been very helpful.
I think I’m ok, but the scare has done me good because I’m now doing my exercises religiously! I’ve made a note of my measurements too.

6 more RT sessions to go… poor lobster boob can then have a well deserved rest!