Swimming and lymphoedema

Does anyone know if it’s OK to do front crawl or if this is a lymphoedema risk? I have never been able to do breaststroke and usually do about 40 lengths front crawl, I had full axillary clearance last July and have just started going to the gym again.

Hi, I’ve heard that swimming is very good exercise for circulating lymph but not whether particular strokes are better than others. I went swimming for the first time last week but, unfortunately, for the last few days my reconstructed breast seems to have doubled in weight (although it was already heavy anyway) as well as being more painful - I cannot put it down to swimming specifically but now that you ask the question it may be that I used muscles that I perhaps ought not to have done, i.e. I swam the medley of strokes (bar butterfly) when I perhaps ought to have stuck to just the one.

I don’t have lymphoedema, although I suspect I do have lymphoedema of the breast and possibly also capsular contraction and I have had level 1 & 2 axillary node clearance.

I believe Bahons should be able to answer you query, which I would be interested in hearing too. In the meantime, keep up the exercise -it can be so exhilirating (at least I find it is - when I can be bothered to go!).

Naz

Hi Naz, i have been told i have slight oedema in the breast, it flares up now and again, still tender to the touch. Had chemo rads etc which ended sept 08.

I try and swim 2-3 times a week , have been told it is good for lymphoedema. Unsure which strokes are best, i suppose it is upto you to take things gently and see what works for you. I tend to do 10 breast and 10 crawl , usualy aim for 50 lengths. Sometimes my arm hurts, had phlebitis where the veins got inflamed from the chemo, but it is not so often now.

Good luck with the swimming
Regards
Sarah66

Hi all

Naz, I’m flattered, but I don’t know the answer to this one for sure and I’m going to check whether what I think I’ve heard about this is correct.

I do know, like the rest of us, that swimming - or activity in the water for that matter is beneficial. I THINK I remember being told by a friend who is a retired lymphoedema physio, that, if you can manage it (I can’t - was no good at it before bc, let alone after), crawl is best. I am going to try to contact her with this and get back to you, Starflower (40 lengths? Wow. I’m well impressed).

I suppose the key thing might be that if you don’t experience any arm discomfort, pins or needles or transient swelling during or after your swim, then all is well…

I think it’s so important to go for it in terms of activity. Giving up certain pursuits for fear of lymphoedema is no way to live, in my view. Better to take precautions (warming up/down x-tra slowly, prophylactic sleeve if you can get one, starting slowly and building up really, really gradually, stopping at the first, and any, sign of discomfort) and give it a go. I for one don’t intend to die wondering!

Also, just a thought, can your bcn ask this question on your behalf of your local lymphoedema clinic? It would be useful for her too to know the answer to this, I’m sure - and for us to have another opinion.

Will get back to you asap.

X to all

S

Thanks for your replies, that’s a good idea about asking my BCN, I haven’t noticed any swelling in the arm - touch wood - my armpit scar felt a bit “stretched” and my shoulder ached but maybe that is to be expected. I would really love to continue with the swimming as it makes me feel so much less fatigued and more “back to normal”.

I, too, love swimming, and as I am quite disabled now with back problems, swimming is one of the few execises where I can feel relatively ‘normal’! I recently spoke to Lymphodema nurse, who encouraged swimming, but said that I should wear arm support whilst swimming. It apparently encourages lymphatic drainage as the muscles move. I have to admit I am loathe to wear it, as I already feel a freak with one boob (am wearing prosthesis now, so I know others don’t know, but I do!!)I just hate all the accessories cancer has given me…false boob, tight arm sleeve and crutches…it makes me feel so bloomin’ conspicuous!! I am someone who like to fade into the background!
Best wishes and enjoy your dip, whatever stroke you do!
Jax

Hi again

Me too. My lymphoedema nurse (when I had one) told me that swimming would have more effect on my lymphoedema if I wore some old sleeves.

I’m afraid my response was “Well, that’s as may be, but I already feel enough of a freak already without sporting one of Medi’s finest (lol) on each arm at my local swimming baths for all too see.”

It’s all very well for the lymphoedema nurses to say it’s a good idea, but would THEY do it if it were them? I don’t think so. Lymphoedema isn’t well enough understood or recognized by the general population to make wearing visible compression garments in public an easy choice.

I never wear mine when I’m swimming - it’s one of the reasons I love it so much! I feel normal.

Swimming already helps lymphatic draininage because you are exercising while the water does the compressing.

Stress seems to aggravate lymphoedema and if you are stressed when you are swimming because you feel people are looking at you, you won’t enjoy it or reap the full benefits of doing it.

Your decision Jax, but I know what I’d do…

However, if you belong to, or know of, a local Lymphoedema Support Group who might want to use the pool for private hire for their members, that might be a way of swimming with sleeves that wouldn’t be so embarassing.

All the best for now

X

S

Yes, thanks for that, it’s so good to talk about these issues with others who are actually going through it, rather than with folk who THNK they know what it must be like to be trussed up like a turkey. Swimming is so enjoyable, because you are free of everything!! So I won’t be wearing my sleeve into the water, but as you say, I can still reap the enormous benefits that swimming brings, not only fitness boldily, but it is a great stress reliever and also wonderful way to relax. I don’t spend the whole time belting up and down, but just like to lie floating sometimes…perfect!

Good for you, Jax

Enjoy your dips!

Have you ever tried a flotation tank, btw? They are very relaxing, too. I’ve only been in one once but throughly enjoyed it.

Apparently some people have wonderful dreamlike experiences, but I’m afraid I got a fit of the giggles when I started bouncing off the sides in the dark…still, that relieved a bit of stress, too!

X

S

Sorry, Bahons, I hope I didn’t put you under any pressue to reply! Wasn’t my intention - I just know from reading your posts that you are well informed.

Interesting comment about the flotation tank - I’ve not heard of them before (or I may have done but they’ve not registered as something that I could actually indulge in) - I’ve just googled them. There’s a place in London and the price doesn’t seem too high - or not, at least, for a treat - but it says something about salt and detoxification etc - would this help/hinder either people with lymphoedema and/or those who could potentially develop it?

Naz

Flotation tanks is THE most wonderful experience in the world!!! Trouble is, they try to teach you how to get yourself upright to begin with, and I couldn’t get the hang of it and kept trying to stand up, with dire consequences, but it kept the rest of the women highly amused!! Once you are all lying, the lights are dimmed, the music plays, and there is a very slight current which means that you all float at the edge with no fear of bumping into anyone else…so relaxing, it must be one of the best stress-busters going. trouble is, it’s only available at posh spas, I think, so it’s not cheap. I have been given the experience twice as a gift. Mmmm, my birthday is coming up?! I can’t think that it can do any harm to lypmhodema, but also shouldn’t think it serves any benefial use either.
Jax

Hi Naz and Jax

Naz - no problem, no need to apologise; it made me curious to find the answer!

Jax, were you in a communal flotation tank? That would have given me unstoppable giggles, I reckon. I was in an individual one. I can’t see any issue, providing the water is just warm and not hot, with using them with lymphoedema - no different from bobbing around in the Red Sea, I suppose. I certainly had no problems with my skin or swelling afterwards.

Going back to wearing sleeves when swimming. I now live in France and, in addition to keeping my membership of the Lymphoedema Support Network, I’ve also joined the French equivalent (AVML). Their latest guidelines regarding self-help arrived in the post this morning and guess what?

They recommend wearing a sleeve for all forms of exercise EXCEPT swimming! So how’s that for a different take on the subject?

Anyhow, wittered on for long enough…take care all

X

S

Amazing how we all get different and opposing advice from professionals!! What a laugh! I am glad to hear that cos’ I haven’t been wearing it for swimming. I don’ t wear it on special occasions either! Oh, how vain! I do hate wearing anything restrictive in hot weather, but the nurse said that I could use a spray bottle of water to cool arm down. I think part of their training should consist of having to wear a sleeve non-stop for a week, as it might give a little more empathy to our situation.
And, yes, there were 5 of us in pool, including my sister, which was, frankly, hilarious!! They say that laughing is good for you, and we laughed til we cried.
Best wishes,
Jax

Hi Ladies just been told I have lymphoedema and just waiting for my sleeve been told they come in an American tan colour nice …Im still having chemo so have avoided swimming which I love as advised by onc due to catching infections …oh and the fact ive just had to have hickman line but in prob wouldnt help , but once all that is sorted and start my radio therapy Ill start it then I have always loved swimming and it should help with all this weight Ive pilled on and just brough specail cosy and swimming false so need to try them out cost a fortune lol …
So its help me knowing swimming will help thanks from Lisa

Hi all

Been doing some googling about which stroke is best for us.

The general consensus seems to be that breast stroke is best (gentle stretching movements) and that butterfly is to be avoided.

Mixed opinions on crawl. Anyone had any feedback from their bcns or lymphoedema clinics on this one?

Will add more if, and when, I find it!

X

S

Wow! Bahons, your investigative powers amaze me! However did you find that out?! I generally stick to front, back and breast stroke anyway - I haven’t dared to swim butterfly for years and now my back muscle is weak it would probably end up being a hybrid stroke anyway, that and I’d also probably end up just swimming round in circles.

I did mention to my BCN that I was in real agony after swimming recently - I was told it was probably because I hadn’t swum for some time (you know, blah, blah, blah…) so I didn’t pursue it any further. I am, though, seriously thinking about taking a dip in a flotation tank.

Naz

Hi

I just love ferreting out info’ on the internet (OH says I need to get a life…) - I’m like it with crossword clues as well…

But I’m going ask a couple of real life experts their opinion on swimming, too, and then post again.

X

S

Just got back from seeing my French lymphoedema physio.

I asked her this question and although she couldn’t give a definitive answer, she said, in her opinion, breast stroke ought to be the best because it would put less strain on the shoulders than crawl.

X

S

hi all

I’ve read this thread with great interest. I have mild lympho in my breast, or at least some docs have told me I have and others including BCN has told me it’s oedema. I don’t know what the difference is and can’t get an answer to that either.

But last year when I’d finished my treatment I decided to learn to swim. To say I’m terrified of water is an understatement, but I employed the same tactics as I did with my BC. ‘Just get on with what you have to do without thinking about it’ My first lesson was on 6th March last year and I swam 100mtrs for the first time on 3rd July last year.

The surgeon, onc and BCN have all said that swimming is the best exercise after breast cancer and were very encouraging when I said I was going to learn.

I’m still terrified of water. I swim 2 or 3 times a week, and just getting in the car to drive to the pool is a challenge sometimes I’m so scared. I’m OK once I’ve taken my feet of the bottom though.

I did the Race for Life yesterday but next year I’ve decided I’ll do the Marie Curie Swimathon. I’d love to do 5k but I think 2.5k will be about my limit. I’m learning front crawl because it’s a faster stroke but I have to say that I’m not doing very well with it. My BCN didn’t say that I shouldn’t learn the crawl so I assume it’s OK for we BC ladies to do it.

The best of luck to you all. Keep swimming and enjoying life.

Happy swimming everyone.

Jan xx

Jan

What a fantastic achievment. I’m speechless! Good for you. Fantastic. How brave is that?

I didn’t realise the debate about whether you had lymphoedema or oedema in your breast was still ongoing. I hate to sound like a complete and utter cynic, but all the time someone is calling it ‘oedema’, you are less likely to get any help for it than if someone called it ‘possibly lymphoedema’ and referred you to someone better qualified to to make that call than they are, ie a lymphoedema nurse!!!

Hope it isn’t too bad and not getting worse - you may have to kick up a bit to get any action on this, because it strikes me (I’m too cynical by half!) that you could be the victim of some fairly unscrupulous cost-cutting here, with pressure being exerted on bcn not to refer breast (lymph)oedema on to appropriate clinic unless patient creates merry hell.

I think we’re getting towards a clearer view of swimming on here… breast stroke is probably best, butterfly a definite no-no, crawl could be dodgy. Interestingly, the French Lymphoedema Association (I’ve just had a look on their website) recommends swimming on your back (but doesn’t suggest a suitable stroke)!

X to all (and ‘well done’ again Jan)

S