Lymph oedema and numbness?

Hi ladies

I have this lovely side effect from surgery and have recently noticed that my arm goes to sleep at night and wakes me. Is it likely to be causing this and is it worth seeing my GP? My hands are quite often cold when the rest of me isn’t and is the swelling pressing on a nerve or something?

I hope you are all doing ok

Dawn flower

Hi all found this question and I am experiencing the same wake up with hand numb fingers swollen and sore and tightness. Not sleeping on that side but still happens. Any advise ???i have mild lymphodemia in arm hand and breast
thanks. Rozita

Do you wear any compression at night? The lymphedema therapists advise not to wear the sleeve, as it can cause constriction at night and add to the problem, but there are other compression devices for use at night, or you should be shown a wrapping technique. You really need to see somebody about this.

Hi morwenna no im not wearing my compression sleeve as it is only mild lymphodemia so just wear it during the day whenever I need to but probably not wearing it enough I recently got bitten on that side and took antibiotics as a precaution and it has healed ok but maybe put more pressure on the lymph so at the moment it does feel swollen and uncomfortable but yestoday woke up with my fingers numb I only see my lymphodemia nurse every 6 months and all she says you can do is massage I think this is the case isn’t it ?? Rozita x

Rozita, Call the lymphoedema nurse and try to get an appointment to see her soon. If it is worse, she should know. Meanwhile try the massage twice a day. Don’t forget exercises, check out the ones on the Haven website: <http: www.thehaven.org.uk=“” sites=“” default=“” files=“” ej> if the link doesn’t work google haven lymphoedema exercises and this lymphoedema fact sheet comes up) Drink LOTS of water. Avoid alcohol and salt–that worsens it in some people. There are other things you can do besides massage–wrapping, kinsio taping, and there are a few other things. But in my experience you have to PUSH PUSH PUSH to get any attention. <br>
Finally the heat is supposed to make it worse, and mine has certainly been, I have a friend who keeps a spray bottle of water in the fridge and sprays her arm from time to time during the day (with sleeve on). When it cools down, your arm may too.<br>
All the best, Q. </http:>

The heat really dose effect mine I put ice down the sleeve this helps

Shazpamela - My understanding is that you should avoid any extremes of temperature be they hot or cold so ice doesn’t sound like the best idea - although there are times when i’d love to do the same and shove icecubes down my sleeve!

The atomised spray you can get from Boots (it’s just water) is very cooling when you spray it over your sleeve and I don’t refrigerate it. This is what my lymphoedema nurse specialist recommended as well as putting the sleeve in the fridge prior to wearing.

Elinda x