HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Is lymphoedema starting? Please advise if you can

Becky · 06-14-2007, 03:12 PM

This happens to me in hot weather. Elevate your arm. Use pillows or watch some TV where you can lay your arm up on top the couch. While your arm is elevated, squeeze your hand about 5-10 times per minute to help pump some of the fluid out. When you do go to bed, make sure you elevate the arm and hand above your heart with pillows. While you are lying down, it won't be as high as you think.

This is a temporary thing for me especially in the summer and when using my affected side too long but it is the main reason I wear a cuff and glove when flying. And I don't have lymphedema and don't want it so I am careful since I do experience some retention like you did.

Hug to you

06-14-2007, 03:12 PM	#2
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	This happens to me in hot weather. Elevate your arm. Use pillows or watch some TV where you can lay your arm up on top the couch. While your arm is elevated, squeeze your hand about 5-10 times per minute to help pump some of the fluid out. When you do go to bed, make sure you elevate the arm and hand above your heart with pillows. While you are lying down, it won't be as high as you think. This is a temporary thing for me especially in the summer and when using my affected side too long but it is the main reason I wear a cuff and glove when flying. And I don't have lymphedema and don't want it so I am careful since I do experience some retention like you did. Hug to you __________________ Kind regards Becky Found lump via BSE Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45 1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side) 2 micromets to sentinel node Stage 2A left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg lumpectomies 9/7/04 4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol Used Leukine instead of Neulasta 35 rads on right side only 4/05 started Tamoxifen Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations Oophorectomy 8/05 Started Arimidex 9/05 Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06 Arimidex Only Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia NED 18 years! Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"