topic Re: Lymphedema in Wellness

Lymphedema

SeaMaiden — Fri, 04 Jan 2019 21:35:00 GMT

On Dr. Phil there was a discussion on this condition with actress Kathy Bates, who has this condition after double mastectomy. Do any of you deal with this condition? It seems to be misdiagnosed as other things... as well as misunderstood by many in the medical fields and just not looked at as important....

Many women who have breast cancer surgery are not told before surgery about this condition as a very possible out come from removing lymph glands....and then they experience terrible problems with arms swelling up for the rest of their lives.

it can also be genetic or caused from an injury or surgery that involves disturbing lymph glands any where in the body. Many times Celulitis is a form of lymphedema and is misdiagnosed as something else because doctors do not know enough.

It is about time this condition is brought to the forefront and discussed with patients before surgery of any kind. Thank you Kathy Bates!❤️

Re: Lymphedema

Kachina624 — Fri, 04 Jan 2019 21:55:51 GMT

It seems to be common with patients on these TV shows about the super obese. It looks like it would be extremely uncomfortable, very painful. Their affected limbs get huge.

Re: Lymphedema

Azcowgirl — Fri, 04 Jan 2019 22:00:15 GMT

I have what I think is thankfully, a mild case, as a result of a partial mastectomy and node removal from breast cancer. Surgeon told me if it was bothering me it could be drained. So far it doesn’t bother me enough to have it messed with.I know it is a miserable condition for many.🙁

Re: Lymphedema

dulwich — Fri, 04 Jan 2019 23:32:52 GMT

About 16 years ago I worked in a Lymphedema Clinic in S.F. I had never heard of this condition. Most of our patients were ex maesectomy/Cancer ladies who had arm swellings.

The treatment offered in this clinic was to put patients on machines which helped massage and move the lymphatic fluid afterwards they wore elastic type stockings on their arms. Also in attendance was a masseur for lymphatic drainage.

None of the above seemed to be a permanent solution as these ladies returned on a regular basis.

I was not at the clinic very long but hopefully after all this time there is some further advanced treatments to help as it is a very - as already stated - miserable condition and I feel very sorry for these patients.

Re: Lymphedema

RedTop — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 00:01:37 GMT

A dear friend of my husband developed this after her double mastectomy in the early 1970’s. By the time I met her in 1975, she had found a specialist in MD doing a type of therapy that worked well.

Re: Lymphedema

GCR18 — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 00:15:19 GMT

I have a couple friends that have it from their breast cancer journey. One was able to get a machine through her insurance. I am not sure if it's like the one mentioned. It's horrible to have to go through cancer treatment and surgery, then have this. I also have been told it can be very painful.

Re: Lymphedema

colliemom4 — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 00:31:17 GMT

I really like Kathy Bates. She seems like a genuinely nice person in addition to being a wonderful actress. I watched the interview and thoroughly enjoyed it. Also, she's lost a lot of weight. She looks really good. I believe she's the spokesperson for the Lymphedema Society? If not she's got a major role in the organization.

Re: Lymphedema

cookie16 — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 01:16:33 GMT

As a 17 yr survivor of breast cancer I was made aware of this by my oncologist early on in my treatment. All the nodes in my right arm were removed because they couldn't isolate the sentinel node to see if the cancer had spread. I was told to respect my arm, no trauma to it, no blood test ever from that arm, no blood pressure check on that arm, etc. In addition not to carry or lift more than 10 lbs. I have done my best to protect that side and so far so good. I make every healthcare professional that I visit aware of this. I did enjoy bowling but no more. I didn't see the interview but will try and watch it somewhere. Other than that, I am fine - thank God.

Re: Lymphedema

software — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 01:55:59 GMT

I worked with a young lady years ago who suffered from lympedema in one arm. She had cancer as a child, had the lymph nodes removed. Leukemia, I think.

She seemed to be very accepting of her condition. Always smiling.

She was an inspiration.

Re: Lymphedema

Tyak — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 03:08:13 GMT

Now they do an injection before breast cancer surgery to find the sentinal nodes, nodes where cancer will go first if it is spreading to the lymph nodes. I had two sentinal nodes but the surgeon I had always 'grabs' a few extra to be sure so I had a total of 7 removed. This was 11 years ago and so far, so good but, I am extremely careful of my arm. I have never allowed a blood draw, bp taken in the affected arm, don't lift anything more than 10 pounds, and I was told to never carry a heavy handbag again on that arm. I've worn a compression sleeve when flying after bc and it's a real pain to deal with so I hope I never have to wear one on a daily basis. Developing lymphadema would be very hard for me to deal with, so I pray I never get it.

Re: Lymphedema

mom2four0418 — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 04:36:01 GMT

@SeaMaiden wrote:
On Dr. Phil there was a discussion on this condition with actress Kathy Bates, who has this condition after double mastectomy. Do any of you deal with this condition? It seems to be misdiagnosed as other things... as well as misunderstood by many in the medical fields and just not looked at as important....

Many women who have breast cancer surgery are not told before surgery about this condition as a very possible out come from removing lymph glands....and then they experience terrible problems with arms swelling up for the rest of their lives.

it can also be genetic or caused from an injury or surgery that involves disturbing lymph glands any where in the body. Many times Celulitis is a form of lymphedema and is misdiagnosed as something else because doctors do not know enough.

It is about time this condition is brought to the forefront and discussed with patients before surgery of any kind. Thank you Kathy Bates!❤️

Fabulous actor who has beaten cancer twice.

Re: Lymphedema

qualitygal — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 11:04:46 GMT

My dad had it in his legs. He had a bad fall outside on cement. We heard a stress to the body like that, can bring it on. Over time, his got better, but we did have to tend to it a lot at home. He was overweight and a diabetic.

Re: Lymphedema

wagirl — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 14:56:58 GMT

@SeaMaiden--am going thru this right now in my left arm--had breast cancer where a few lymph nodes were involved, and removed. It can be brought on by using it way beyond the limits. Mine started in Sept after moving, pushing, pulling heavy furniture around. My limit is 5-8 lbs----forgot all about it until my elbow to my wrist swelled up. Have been going to a lymphedema p/therepist who massages and wraps the area. I have a compression sleeve and glove to wear too. I got celluitis in it too so was on anti b's for a few weeks. Have to always be mindful of what I carry with that arm, even wearing a shoulder strap purse. Then I broke that left wrist so alot of trauma from that too. I didn't watch that show--will have to.

Re: Lymphedema

Still Raining — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 15:42:16 GMT

Dr. Phil is no one you want to take advice from. This is very well known by all oncologists and you will be advised before surgery.

it can affect many parts of the body depending on where they remove them. Shocking how bad it can be if the swelling is internal.

Re: Lymphedema

SeaMaiden — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 18:20:50 GMT

What if a woman opts to not have the glands removed... just the cancer.

I would hope women have that option.

It is their lives and their personal decisions as to what is done to your body....

It may not be the " protocol" way of doing things as far as standard treatment...... but should be a woman's choice knowing that this life long lympadema swelling and pain could be the outcome of taking out so many glands.

There is a lot of newer info on the removal of Lymph glands and that it is not always necessary to remove so many... here is just one write up about that.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/breast-cancer/treatment/breast-cancer-you-really-need-your-lymph-nodes-removed/

Re: Lymphedema

Still Raining — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 18:25:52 GMT

@SeaMaiden wrote:
What if a woman opts to not have the glands removed... just the cancer.

I would hope women have that option.

It is their lives and their personal decisions as to what is done to your body....

It may not be the " protocol" way of doing things as far as standard treatment...... but should be a woman's choice knowing that this life long lympadema swelling and pain could be the outcome of taking out so many glands.

This is one of the most condescending comments I have ever seem. I don’t wish to offend, but only someone all safe in their ivory tower can afford to tut, tut about a choice some have to make. When you are sitting there looking at the pictures and fighting for your life you will change your tune.

Re: Lymphedema

SeaMaiden — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 18:41:39 GMT

@Still Raining wrote:
@SeaMaiden wrote:
What if a woman opts to not have the glands removed... just the cancer.

I would hope women have that option.

It is their lives and their personal decisions as to what is done to your body....

It may not be the " protocol" way of doing things as far as standard treatment...... but should be a woman's choice knowing that this life long lympadema swelling and pain could be the outcome of taking out so many glands.
This is one of the most condescending comments I have ever seem. I don’t wish to offend, but only someone all safe in their ivory tower can afford to tut, tut about a choice some have to make. When you are sitting there looking at the pictures and fighting for your life you will change your tune.

@Still Raining I do not think women being knowlegable and asking questions... getting second opinions and being informed and incharge of your life is condesending at all.... Many women do not know that there are options and never ask or know that there could be other options.

I am in no ivory tower... I have just learned that BEING INFORMED and KNOWING YOUR OPTIONS is important. You know nothing of me and my background or what I have struggled with to tell me I am Tut tuting anything. Shame on you for putting that on me. I wish you a blessed day.

Re: Lymphedema

hckynut — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 20:35:32 GMT

@SeaMaiden

You lost me when you said "cellulitis is a form of lymphodema. My cat bite led to cellulitis and had I not went to my doctor, who immediately sent me to the ER for IV Antibiotics. That led to 6+ days on IV drip of several types of Antibiotics as an Inpatient.

He is a GP(my nephew-Nephew, who is not my regular GP) and he recognized it immediately. Had he not it could have led to life threatening MRSA or even more deadly Sepsis. Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin, lymphodema? What's the connection, and what kind of doctor would not recognize cellulitis? In my opinion, it would be a very incompetent one. Just sayin'

hckynut

Re: Lymphedema

SeaMaiden — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 21:36:59 GMT

@hckynut

The show on Yesterday discussed that many doctors do not know the connection between them. Yet there is. Kathy Bates is trying to get the information out there that many doctors do not know. This explains the correlation between them

The Cycle of Cellulitis and Lymphedema
Wednesday, 15 August 2018
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On its own, lymphedema is an uncomfortable, and at times painful condition which develops when your lymphatic system fails to function properly. This failure results in lymphatic fluid collecting in the soft tissue of the legs, arms, or hands with associated swelling, heaviness and discomfort. As lymphedema worsens it impacts your health, quality of life and increases your risk of cellulitis. Cellulitis is a serious complication of lymphedema, which can lead to further lymphatic damage and a cascade of events including recurrent cellulitis.

cellulitis and lymphedema

What Is Cellulitis?
Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and soft tissues. It develops when bacteria breaks the skin barrier. While cellulitis is not contagious, if you have it, the If not treated the infection can spread rapidly. Signs and symptoms of cellulitis include a red, tender, swollen area that is warm to the touch, with or without fever or chills. In severe cases the swelling and inflammation can spread can causing ‘water’ blisters and lymphatic fluid drainage.

Cellulitis can be serious, so it’s important to:

Learn how to spot cellulitis,
Seek treatment for any and all skin rashes or infections,
Learn how to prevent skin infections during lymphedema flares.
How Lymphedema Can Lead To Cellulitis
The skin stretches and thins, as the lymph fluid accumulates, weakening your natural skin barrier and increasing the risks of infection. Folds in the skin of lymphedema patients can also trap bacteria. Once bacteria penetrates the skin the swollen tissue is a perfect mileu for infection to develop and spread. While not all lymphedema patients will develop cellulitis, the risk is much higher.

Cellulitis Also Worsens Lymphedema
Together, cellulitis and lymphedema create a cycle of pain, discomfort and further lymphatic damage. Over time you may develop chronic lymphedema with inflammatory changes in the affected limb. Remember if you already have lymphedema, cellulitis can make it worse.

The Health Consequences Of Recurrent Cellulitis
Skin infections like cellulitis can spread to the rest of the body. Bacteria can spread to the bloodstream and bones, can even cause tissue death (gangrene) or deep tissue infection (necrotizing fasciitis). Some more serious cases may require checking into the hospital for antibiotics, nursing care and observation.

How Is Cellulitis Treated?
Your doctor will prescribe oral antibiotics and give additional instructions to reduce swelling and increase your comfort. However, in some cases, you may be hospitalized with intravenous antibiotics if you have:

A high fever
Cellulitis that doesn’t respond to oral antibiotic treatment
More serious symptoms, such as necrotizing fasciitis
Go to the emergency room or dial 9-1-1 if you have a rash with a fever. If you have no fever, you can choose to call your doctor.

Additional Risk Factors For Cellulitis
Lymphedema isn’t the only cause of skin infections. Other risk factors include:

Obesity or being overweight
Skin conditions like eczema or athlete’s foot, which create cracks in the skin that allow bacteria to enter
Cuts, scrapes, and burns that give bacteria an easy way in
Weakened immune system due to medications or chronic health conditions like leukemia, HIV/AIDS, or diabetes

https://www.veinspecialists.com/blog/cellulitis-lymphedema/

Re: Lymphedema

Helpful Hannah — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 01:05:01 GMT

I sometimes watch "My 600 Lb, Life" and some of those poor people had terrible lymphedemas; I really felt sorry for them.