Forum Discussion

Wildflower's avatar
Wildflower
Member
10 years ago

Relief for lymphedema pain?? Please help!

Hi, 

I'm posting on behalf of a good friend who is suffering very badly with lymphedema pain in her left arm. 

The lymph glands are blocked in the armpit preventing any successful attempts at drainage massage.

The arm bandaging doesn't help.  She feels as though she is carrying a huge bag of potatoes in that arm.

We just feel that she can't be the only one in the world with this problem.  The pain medications she is given e.g. endone, oxycontin,  make her zombie-like.

We need any ideas for relief of pain in her arm.

Has anyone experienced this and found a solution to the pain?

Thanks, Susan

lymphoedema
pain

10 Replies

  • Wildflower's avatar
    Wildflower
    Member
    10 years ago

    Thanks Karen. It's great to hear you ha some success with getting rid of the pain. Thank you for responding! xx

  • Cook65's avatar
    Cook65
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Susan,

    i was experiencing blockage of the remaining lymph nodes in my right side that was causing shoulder pain, neck pain and a constant headache for weeks. I ended up going to see my local osteopath. He was dealing with a couple of other bc patients with the same problems. He used manipulation and some exercises to help and I am now able to do these at home to help myself before it gets that bad.  I would certainly recommend an osteopath to help. Regards, Karen xox

  • Doll's avatar
    Doll
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hello Susan,

    This video by the Australian Lymphology Association is very comprehensive.  It covers the causes of lymphoedema and has some great self care tips including massage to drain the lymph away via other lymph nodes.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB79z1rQKA4

    I hope that your friend finds relief from this very painful condition.

     

     

  • Marlee's avatar
    Marlee
    Member
    10 years ago

    I feel for your friend, must be awful

    I have had nerve pain and what has helped the most is yoga - I'm not sure if this would help her but I know many simple poses encourage  lymphatic drainage 

    I hope she finds some relief soon 

    ??

  • Wildflower's avatar
    Wildflower
    Member
    10 years ago

    Thank you for the link, I'll definitely pass it on. Unfortunately it is very painful for my friend. Her operation was done before new techniques came into use, so she's been living with the pain for a while now.

  • Brenda5's avatar
    Brenda5
    Member
    10 years ago

    I didn't know lymphedema was painful? I have it in my arm and now in my hand which physio is going to not like at my appointment tomorrow but steroids pushed it up in there during chemo so not a lot could be done to avoid that. Its not painful though.

    There are other ways apart from the armpit nodes (mine are all removed) to drain lymph out though. You could bring it around the outside of the arm and across to the neck nodes under the collar bone. Watch this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up_sIKnZ-_g