Lymphedema/clot risk

Ask our Nurses your questions
1

Hi,

I realised after a full day of wear my watch today (hard plastic strap) that it must have been far too tight and it was imprinted in my skin with slight grazing in a couple of spots. This was in my lymph node removal arm (3 nodes removed).

I am stressing I could have triggered lymphedema with the tightness for such a long duration, is this a likely scenario ?

I am also worried about the risk of blood clot if blood flow was restricted with tightness, I am on tamoxifen and know that comes with clot risk and also had a clot in other arm caused by my picc line during chemo.

Thanks in advance.

2 Likes
2

Hi there. I had a similar situation after wearing a bracelet on my lymph node clearance arm too. Bizarrely was due to see my BC consultant so mentioned it, had CT scan to rule anything else out and sure enough, I had lymphodema. No idea why as had done everything I should have, guess just unlucky. Referral to lymphodema clinic and I now wear a compression sleeve and it had reduced by 2/3 at my follow up appointment. Ask your BCN to help or go to your GP for a referral, once you know what it is you can take action. Wishing you all the best and lots of love x

3

Thanks so much for the reply, and sorry to hear you have lymphoedema to deal with :cry: so frustrating everything you need to worry about and think about.

Do you mean you noticed your bracelet was tighter as a result of having lymphedema, or do you think wearing a tighter bracelet triggered it?

I don’t have any symptoms of it so hoping I’m just overreacting :sweat_smile: as always.

Thanks your reply and lots of love x

4

I noticed my bracelet had left indentations before knowing I had lymphodema and then mentioned it to my consultant.

I was really upset when told I had it, just something else to deal with but roll on 8 months and my sleeve is just part of my wardrobe now xx

5

I too had a similar experience. My watch was a bit tight this summer which i thought was due to the particularly hot, humid summer we were having. I have Grade 1 lymphedema. I see a specialized lymphedema specialist, have specialized massages, wear a sleeve and have learned self drainage/massage. I’ve been remeasured and it’s going down. Good luck to us all!

6

Thanks both for the replies and advice :smiling_face: much appreciated.

It was a new watch strap that I put on that I had taken links off of, so not my usual watch strap.

I am hoping I had just taken off too many links and lymphoedema doesn’t rear its unwelcomed head :sweat_smile: I was concerned the tight strap could cause it, just another constant worry isn’t it x

7

Hi @lanna19

I think it’s unlikely to have caused anything but I was told that if rings / bracelets / watch straps seem tighter that can be a sign that you are or have developed it . But also maybe because it’s a new strap with links taken out - unfortunately when you have had cancer your mind tends to find the worst possibility . Xx

8

Hi lanna19

Thanks for your post.

It’s natural worry about developing lymphoedema and whether you’ve done something that may trigger it.

There’s no consistent evidence to support the need to avoid tight-fitting jewellery to reduce your risk of developing lymphoedema, however it may help lymph drainage to avoid doing this.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of lymphoedema is important so you can ask for assessment and advice if necessary, as others have mentioned. You can read more in our booklet Reducing the risk of lymphoedema.

The use of a PICC has been shown to increase the risk of blood clots whilst they are in place.

Although you’re taking tamoxifen which can raise your risk of developing blood clots, wearing a watch tightly usually only causes mild restriction of blood flow through the veins so is unlikely to impact on this. Severe restriction to blood flow would cause symptoms such as numbness, tingling pain and often discolouration to the hand and fingers.

You can read more about blood clots and breast cancer and the symptoms to be aware of and get checked out via the link above.

If you’ve not done so already, do talk to your breast care nurse or GP about your concerns, especially if you have any symptoms listed in the information.

We offer a range of free supportive services for anyone who has had a diagnosis of breast cancer which you may be interested in. They include face to face and online courses and events.

For more details about all of these services, please see the information on the link, or call our free helpline.

Do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to more support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks. The number is 0808 800 6000. If you have hearing or speech difficulties prefix our number with 18001 and the call will go through Relay UK. Our helpline has access to telephone interpreters if language translation is required.

If you would prefer one of our nurses to call you. To do this, please complete this form ticking the box agreeing to a call back .

Our usual opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am - 4pm and 9am -1pm on Saturday.

Out of hours you can leave a message and we will call you back when we next open.

Best wishes

Catherine

Breast Care Nurse

Please read the Ask Our Nurses disclaimer Full details on how we collect and use your data can be found in our Privacy Policy

As we are unable to monitor for further replies, this thread will now be closed. If you have any additional questions or would like to provide feedback, please start a new thread, call our helpline, email us or request a call back.