side affects post chemo

is electric soda the same as Kitchen salts or Epsom salts or a totally different thing as I have been told about Kitchen salts if you put them on your limbs with fluid it draws the fluid out? how do you use the electric soda? Thanks Veronica

I've heard of this electric soda, I too would love to know how to use them, do you soak in a bath or put directly on the swollen limbs?

Yes I do still wear my sleeve, for some time each day. Always when flying, as you say. I lost 17 lymph nodes, no pain or anything else but about 7 months after surgery noticed my wrist watch strap was tight. I had some problem getting the right sleeve, but now have an excellent German one which doesn't really worry me to wear. Each case is different though, and I hope you find a good treatment soon.

Could you explain electric soda?

I have upper body oedema with each round of taxol and my clearance side gets very  tight. I wear a body shaper singlet when I can tolerate it as it seems to help. Yes the massage is difficult. I go to a hydro pool and just walk and do my arm stretches ...the movement and water pressure does help the fluid shift. I also try to watch salt intake but it's  hard as evetything tastes awful. Lots of fluid seems to help the fluid shift away. Hope things improve for you soon. Make sure you let your oncologist know about this side effect next appointment.  Kath x

Hi, I have been left with a number of side effects of chemo and radio that the onc's have told me are now probably permenant. I have neuropathy of the soles of my feet, problems with my vestibular system (ears) that cause dizziness and loss of balance as well as mild swelling of my breast and chest wall that causes pain in my shoulder and neck. I have found with the neuropathy, if I don't allow my feet to get cold or walk on cold surfaces that helps heaps. I had physio for the vestibular problems and although it's not fixed, it is better than it was and I have been given strategies for dealing with it. I also have exercises to help with the swelling and I also find good old cold cabbage leaves in the bra helps. Either that or electric soda from the shopping centre put in a cloth bag( I use an old pillowslip) draws the fluid out. It's a small price to pay to be cancer free I reckon. Good luck. Karen xox

hi, Thanks for your advice. I have a sleeve for my arm that I got back in 2012 when I first had lymph nodes removed but was told I only needed to wear it when flying. Do you wear your sleeve everyday still? Personally I hate wearing it for the time I spend on a plane. I didn't have any problems with swelling after the first removal of lymph nodes and as I said only started to have problems after last round of chemo. Had the 7 lymph nodes removed on 08/04/2016. Didn't have any swelling what so ever just pain but then that subsided. I think I will ask my natropath as she would know if there is anything good to give me and I will mention the Vitamin B. I am seeing my physio on Monday so I will ask her about wearing the sleeve all the time and ask her about some exercises. I am thinking of getting a professional lymphatic drainage massage done but need to find a good one.    

I agree, it is hard to be patient and a patient person I am not. I feel like my body has been destroyed thanks to this breast cancer. I am feeling so yuk and unfit at the moment. I have more surgery  this Friday to remove more of the area where the cancer is. This will put me back even more then I have 5 weeks of radiation therapy to look forward to.

Hi there

The nerve damage can go on for a while after you finish treatment before it starts improving, but it will. My oncology nurse suggested vitamin B, and my hands and feet (my feet were really not good) started improving immediately - but that could have been pure coincidence. But unlikely to do any harm to try it.

Not sure about nails - my finger nails were fine, except they went a slightly brownish colour, but hard to see. My toenails went black, brown, grey, white, and split but none dropped off. Took a long while to regrow but eventually all of them returned to normal.

I do have lymphedema (left arm only), but haven't experienced that leaden feeling - I do have to keep working to keep fluid from accumulating. I massage my arm, and have a regular professional massage too, but I find exercises (your physio should be able to help) and a pressure sleeve are very effective. No-one wants a pressure garment if they can avoid it, but having worn one now for over three years, my arm looks good, feels good (no weightiness, pain or loss of strength) and so I feel it is effective at maintaining a good condition.

Good luck, best thing is that chemo is over so things should improve, but it's hard to be patient!!