The need for proactive approach to lymphedema
Initially I was told that I was at a low risk of developing lymphedema. Other than being given the standard info about prevention and a list of physios who had some experience with treating women who ...
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Both my oncologist, surgeon and radiation oncologist mentioned lymphodema to me as did the physio post surgery. But it is not until you look into it do you realise just exactly what the fairly casual comment of " you may be at risk of getting lymphodema" actually means. I did quite a bit of research on it and found a registered physio for lymphodema who had one of the machines to measure fluid levels. Apparently it is an Australian invention and can detect increases in fluid level well before you can physically see the changes. 6 months in advance apparently. So I just go for a 6 monthly check. No one has ever mentioned trunkal lymphodema to me when I first went through treatment only the physio this is another area that I think needs more awareness on. I do not have lymphodema but still do the manual self drainage exercises. I do see a build up occasionally when I have been doing too much but the drainage exercises or lying on my side with my arm up in the air for half an hour soon fixes that problem. Strongly recommend you go to someone with a fluid machine tester as it takes away a lot of the worry. Before will used to be constantly measuring my arm for fear of getting it.