swelling of the hand and arm

Matt

Hi
Just wondering if anyone has experience or advice about the swelling of my arm, should I be worried,  I saw the onc last week and she sent me for an scan to make sure not a blood clot, she said just fluids, I haven't had surgery yet so my lymph nodes are still there under arm, I have to finish my chemo treatment first before they operate on breast and lymph nodes, I thought swelling comes long after removal of lymph nodes, it's been about 3 weeks my hand and arm swollen, would I be better off seeing a GP to have this sorted as reading up on it, starting to sound like lymphoedema 

Eastmum

Hi @Matt - I think that @Kiwi Angel has been having this exact same side effect from chemo - lots of fluid - I’m sure she will be helpful. 

If your oncologist has investigated it and ruled out anything sinister, that’s a good sign - If you’re still worried though, a visit to your GP could just give you some piece of mind. 

If your lymph nodes are still all intact, then I’m pretty sure you’re right about it not being lymphodema. 

Hope it settles down for you! 

Zoffiel

You need to get that seen to. Ask your breast care nurse to refer you to the lymphoedema clinic at your hospital, they are the experts when it comes to this sort of thing.

lrb_03

I agree with @Zoffiel, you need to get it looked at by someone who knows lymphoedema.
This link should help, if your local hospital doesn't have a lymphoedema therapist
http://www.lymphoedema.org.au/the-register/find-a-practitioner
Take care

iserbrown

Hi Matt
Agree with others please go and get it checked. It doesn't sound quite right
Take care 

Brenda5

You should be able to see a physiotherapist via the oncology dept. They will teach you exercises and self lymph drain techniques. You may also be given a compression sleeve and gauntlet to hurry things along. All mine was free. I no longer wear any rings on my fingers, just in case I swell and end up having to get rings cut off.