I thought some of you may be interested to see this article on new research regarding weightlifting:
Thanks for that - very interesting reading. At last I might be able to get rid of the flapping bingo wings I’ve acquired!
I’ve had the lymph nodes removed from both sides and have followed all advice given by lymphodoema nurse, including not carrying anything heavier than a loaf of bread, to the letter as I live in constant fear of getting lymphodoema.
Interesting too to read about the shoulder problems - I’ve suffered terrible shoulder pains since ops and have asked about physio but was told it wasn’t necessary.
Thanks for the article. My MLD theerapist mentioned this when I saw her last week so it was great to read the article.
Oh well back to the gym it is then!!
Jackie
HI all
I started exercising after finishing radiotherapy last November following mastectomy and node removal. I started with using home rowing machine and then started at gym getting a specially worked out prog. gradually building up weight/arm exercising together with using cross trainer etc. I havn’t had any sign of lymphoedema (touch wood) and am now 4 weeks on from having LD recon. Back has healed very well and saw surgeon yesterday actual recon is settling down exceptionally well, nor did I have any seroma at all! (I did after mastectomy - drained twice)I put this down to exercising for 1-2hrs 3 - 4 times a week!Together with watching diet (still a cake and choco lady tho!) and drinking green tea! Who knows! I’ve certainly recovered quickly and my arm is fine - and yes the bingo wings have gone!
Very interesting info! I has lumpectomy (mammoplasty) and anc in September and am half way through chemo. I use my affected left arm for all the things I did before as I am left handed! I lift havy feed bags, work with livestock and have a heavy job. I have full shoulder and arm movement, no cording left and no stiffness. I shall conyinue like this as I believe excercise keeps the blood and lymph flowing better…I had seen some research on this a few months ago which confirmed my attitude.
Hi The link at the start of this thread has a link at the bottom for more info and it says this , which I like !
“Survivors should not become discouraged if they have a “bad week.” Every day is a new day, so it is never too late to try again.”
That link is
Exercise as a way to reduce the side effects of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment
By Laura Q. Rogers, M.D., MPH, FACSM
acsm.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=home_page&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=13674
A more detailed report came out after the conference I think, its very interesting,
physorg.com/news/2010-12-weightlifting-slashes-lymphedema-breast-cancer.html
just finished rads so hoping to turn over a new leaf next year and get more exercise into my life, even splash out on a personal trainer - just to get a suitable programme thats workable for me at home, I cant be going to a gym.
It feels good to have this to think about and plan as treatment comes to an end (fingers tightly crossed).
Should we start a thread for “exercisers” to encourage each other - could report in every month - i bet I go back to bad old ways very soon. Help ! Some time ago posted about walking groups for us , mainly thinking post surgery and chemo then, but now thinking ongoing , its needed too.
I would also really like to do some walking with a group (no sense of direction!) when the weather improves. BCC were trying to get some groups together but I’ve not heard any more about it.
I do 30-60 minutes of Wii fit everyday, mainly step as jogging can be uncomfortable still! I have gone back to using wrist weights too since reading this article.
Best wishes to all.
Hi, I have done yoga since finishing treatment 6 years ago, and its really helped. It iw weight bearing so would have the same beneficial effects, but you can tailor the level to suit you. A good yoga teacher would give you a sequence to do at home - personally I find it more relaxing and enjoyable that gymn training which I have also tried, but I am sure I would never have kept up for 6 years!
Sarah
Tai Chi is good too , for anyone like me who didnt find Yoga was quite their thing. I like the continual movement in most of Tai Chi exercises and form - found Yoga too static - its just personal preference.
All these things work on the same acupuncture points in the body , gently massaging them so the energy gets moved around the body.
Will get the Wii fit out again. so looking forward to Spring and lots of fresh air and … warm sun !
Before dx, I bought an addition to the step so it is higher and really gets your heart rate going. The first few times I used it I could hardly walk the next day! I’m hoping this means it is actually ‘real’ exercise.
Looking forward to getting back to jogging (with the Wii) too and long walks in the better weather.
step is ‘real exercise’, if it gets your heart rate bumping, you get a little hot n sweaty, and you can feel an ache the next day…lol… that’s good exercise in my book! Doesn’t matter whether you do step in a class, or with the Wii, or with an exercise vid (I have the Cher step video… ancient now, but love it - and way back when after I had child #2, I lost two and a half stone with a marginally better diet, but 45 mins step every day - so it DOES work!!).
Sophie (who hates aerobics with a vengeance, but secretly loves step)
I’m a new convert to yoga - I’ve been going for about 3 months now. I’d tried it before and not enjoyed it so I think a lot depends on the type of yoga and the teacher. With this class I come away feeling like I’ve had a physical, spiritual and psychological workout! It is slowly improving my shoulder problem as well.
I do go walking as well to get more of a cardiac workout but damaged my achilles so that’s been on hold a bit - I do miss it and I have put on weight!
I don’t know about anyone else but I am surprised that more research hasn’t already been carried out regarding exercise/weights etc and lymphodema. It’s not new and debilitating enough without being told not to lift things.
I started at the gym and i was swimming 2o lenghts of the public pool and doing a 1 hour work out i havent been able to do this since october and now i have this tightening across my mastectomy and under my arm does anyone get this or is this because i have stopped exercise
Yes I do get that from time to time particularly if I haven’t done enough stretching and exercises. I don’t know how long its been since your mastectomy but I understand scar tissue continues forming for up to 2 years. I was told to gently massage the mastectomy area in circular movements to soften the scar tissue. You’d need to check though with your BCN especially if you have any lymphodema.
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Hi Norberte
We do something like this in yoga and wow it is a real stretch. I’m trying to do this every day but I have so many exercises as I have shoulder and neck problems so it’s some for that, some for the lymphodema etc - it takes so long.