Anyone else find writing a tough one??
I wear my sleeve and currently there is very little swelling in the arm, but I still find that writing even for a few minutes makes my arm ache and tingle.
I have just returned to work and discovered this new issue!!
Interested to hear if others get the same or not.
Hi Manny
It might not be the lymphodema that’s the issue. I’ve had a lot of shoulder problems since my surgery and doing anything with my left arm is difficult and uncomfortable. As your lymphodema is mild (as mine is)it could be that you’re feeling the effects of all the surgery rather than the lymphodema…
Be interesting to see what others say. Elinda x
I had my op on right side and have Lymphoedema , funny thing is I have also noticed that my hand writing has changed also back at work very part time for now and write notes which I keep having to look at 'cos I don’t recognise the writing? My arm also aches when using it for hand writing so not sure if it is the shoulder or arm?? interesting subject and like you Manny it is a tough one! Em x
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Norberte - that’s interesting 'cos I suffer the same things (tightness across chest pulling my shoulder forward) but I only have lymphodema in the arm. My actual chest post mx is very flat and definitely no lymphodema.
The physio says that this is scar tissue on the fascia which has tightened. She says that the shoulder has to work much harder to keep back now and that’s why I’m having so much pain there.
Elinda x
me too,I have mild lymphoedema and my arm aches and feels uncomfortable when writing and my handwriting looks very untidy now.
Melxx
Thanks ladies.
I spoke to my husband (orthopaedic surgeon) and he said it could very well be the shoulder pain/ stiffness rather than lymphoedema.
Yes, handwriting and using the computer are the worst things. Lifting heavy boxes makes no difference to me (but don’t recommend you try this unless you feel like it!). I say that as someone who moved house two days after finishing rads. It seems to be the small movements that cause the problems (including knitting which I tried to do whilst I was recovering as it made me sit down), and anything that involves just the fingers or hand, whilst the body stays still. If I were to leave my sleeve off and use the computer/write), I would loose the use my hand really quickly. (First day back at work, I sat in a meeting and jotted my notes for two hours, thinking I didn’t really need the sleeve! Idiotic thing to do as it took a week to get the symptoms back under control)
Annie22
Hi all,
I am really interested in this, as a while back I posted something similar, regarding lymphodema and computer work.
I developed trunkal lymphodema following disasterous recon in 2005 (developed cellulitis). However,when I returned to work I had to write a lot and noticed that my arm was achy and heavy. Saw lymphodema nurse who gave me a sleeve to wear (didn’t take measurements). I then changed to doing a desk bound job 2 years ago, and my arm (and trunk) seems to be getting worse. I contacted OH for a desk top assessment and this recommended some arm supports which I am still waiting to arrive.
However, not getting any better - I finally got another lymphodema clinic appt (after waiting 8 mths!)and this time I did get measured (different nurse) who confirms mild lymphodema in right arm.
I am convinced this is due to having writing and computer work (Lymph nurse said the lady before me was complaining of exactly the same thing).
I am still waiting for arm supports to arrive, but not sure these will help as my arm will still be mainly bent at the elbow(in a sleeve) which surely cannot be good.
I am now stewing because I do not want to carry on doing something that could potentially worsen the lymphodema to my arm. i also think the trunkal lymphodema is worsening and possibly spreading to my chest area (mx site seems swollen compared to non affected mx site). In fact, I am now feeling too uncomfortable wearing my prostheses and that’s causing a few problems!
i waould be really intereted in any comments on this.
XXX
Im interested in all comments re this. I have mild lymphoedema in both my arm & hand. Its the hand i have a problem with as i have to wear a glove as well as a sleeve which ive had for just a few weeks. I can’t write properly wearing it, my handwriting looks like a childs. Also my hand seems to swell more when im wearing the glove than when im not, surely that cant be normal. I hate having lymphoedema, im so worried all the time about making the swelling worse,its a pain & so inconvenient.
I was diagnosed with mild lymphoma last week. But have been told that exercise will help the remaining lymph nodes drain. I am being fitted with a sleeve next week and do suffer more when do repetitive things such as mouse at work, or grardening ie pruning…etc. The nurse was great, said do things in smaller times, ie rotate my task if I’m to prune then do 15 mins then move on to a different task then go back to it… Today I went for a gym induction it’s part of post cancer care treatment in Dorset and my program was focused around building ip my back muscle, getting me moving and stretching. I’m hoping that I can learn to manage this so it doesn’t get worse (though am shocked at how much I have to watch out for, bites, stings infections, etc) Handwriting, yes it’s definitely a scrawl now , I think it’s cos I’ve been mixing with all these medical staff to long 
“Handwriting, yes it’s definitely a scrawl now , I think it’s cos I’ve been mixing with all these medical staff to long :)” LOL!!
Exercise can help a lot, it helps you to breathe deeply, and that gets the fluid in the final largest lymph vessel in your abdomen/chest pumped back up to the point where it returns to venous circulation, as well as promoting venous return from legs etc. THEN with your massage and node clearing the fluid has somewhere to go to.
Knitting, writing, etc involve small precise movements of fingers (those muscles are actually up in your forearm, if you watch closely!) with the muscles constantly under tension but with no big regular movements that would actually promote a pumping of fluid inside the sleeve. If you can stop every few minutes to relax the small muscles and make a few really big signs - move at the elbow and at the wrist, think in terms of a wave to the guy across the street, parking an airplane, or a BIIIIG YAWWWNNNN STRRRETCH, that will help.
Elinda that fascial scar tisue is a real pain, i have been working against it for over 18 months now since Mx feb2010 and finally got back most of the range of motion, but I tell you it was hard work. Hold as high up the door-frame as you can reach, and then go to walk through the door, leaving an elbow on each side. Just lean into it. Initially you can’t even get your arms up over your shoulders then one day you might reach the top of the frame (I’m 5’8) then six or eight months later you get so you can’t quite see both hands then finally you got a decent range at last but it’s not easy. The scar tissue contracts as it heals, and you need to work against that, do persevere.