I had masectomy and lymph node clearance 3 years ago. I have recently developed lymphedema in my left arm.
I think i must had had mild swelling in my arm but not realised it until it began to feel uncomfortable.
I like to have a drink in the evening, however i have found i cannot tolerate more than one drink. With two beers and a small glass of wine i can get an awful hangover. I wake up ok feeling not too bad, but by midday i am nauseaus, have a throbbing headache and feeling exhausted to the point of having to lie down.
I was wondering if maybe my body is having problems dealing with the toxins in alcohol due to the lymph building up in my arm.
Otherwise i am very active, do gym twice a week, swim, cook and eat healthy food, i am slim…
I shouldn’t be drinking as a breast cancer survivor, i think i will have to stop completely since it doesn’t seem worth it to be honest. I get such terrible reactions from my body and it will only make the lymphedema worse.
I wonder if anyone else is experiencing similar intolerance to alcohol as a lymphedema sufferer.
Hi there,
It’s really interesting to read your post. I had a mastectomy and lymph clearance 8/22,finished chemo a year ago, just developed lymphodema. Since finishing my treatment I have developed intolerances to all sorts, mainly artificial sweeteners, have a headache just like you. You’re the first person to have something similar so although it’s not entirely the same, thought it may make you feel a little comforted, it has me xx
Thanks. Strange about the sweeteners. Maybe they are difficult to process with a compromised lymphatic system. It seems to be such a mysterious condition. Why some people get it and others don’t.
Do you have to wear a compression sleeve for the lymphedema? I am wearing a mobyderm autofit (not all the time), feels a bit hit and miss at the moment. My arm swells up and down. Have only had two sessions with a physical therapist, she just does the massage but no advice, apart from getting the mobyderm.
I took it badly for a few days. I had completely put the cancer and treatment behind me and got on with my life. Such a shock to see my arm all swollen and realise it is chronic, messed up for life. Then decided just have to deal with it and make the most of it. Will force me to look after myself more.
I have an appointment with another specialist in next week. Hope it will be more helpful.
I was referred to a nutritionist but tbh, was no help. I got more info from doing a hair sensitivity test, wonder if that may help you? It breaks down actual ingredients rather than just “alcohol”.
Like you, I was gutted to be diagnosed with lymphodema, apparently quite common to feel like that, I wear a compression sleeve, think it helps, was shown simple lymphatic drainage massage but there was so much info all at once, I couldn’t take it all in, have contacted the clinic and been told 4 different things so I’ve not done anything as soooo confused! Got an appointment in may so I’ll write the sequence down then.
Have you got a local clinic you could approach for more help? X
Yes i feel confused as well. And the swelling seems very random, it goes into my foerarm, then my elbow, then in upper arm… sometimes when i wear the compression sleeve it seems to get better, sometimes not.
Self massages help, sometimes it is painful and tight and i get it back to feeling ok. Takes ages though.
Have a an appointment next week with a local phisiotherapist. Hope she will be more helpful.
Trying to stay positive and think this will make me take extra care of myself.
Hope you are coping well and managing swelling.