Lymph nodes arm care

 has anyone seen these??? I just got a message from a member, they are like a medic alert but cuter, I just bought two and only 6.99. If you see this post @sandramj  many thanks! I clicked your link to get to the message but it didnt work :)

Lymphedema No BP Needles Pink Silicone Wristband Medical Alert Bracelet Mediband

well I only had one useable vein and that was in the knuckle of my right hand, I kid you not! In hospital they were taking blood from my foot and my cannula was in my foot. .  In the case of both arms the do BP on the calf

I agree, lapse of attention to detail and the blood pressure taken on the wrong arm (in my view) means discomfort.  I have enough discomfort from side effects without introducing another from being too nice and not saying, no, please use the other arm! 

I have lymphoedema and I usually avoid having anything done on my left arm.  I had blood pressure taken at my GPs a few months ago and put my right arm forward. She put it on my left arm. I should have said no, but didn't want to be a bother. My arm hurt for days. It was a bad decision. Cuts take longer to heal and there is sometimes swelling in my hand. Take care of your arm because lymphoemeda takes a lot of energy to look after. 

Hey Bewsy,, I'm 2 years post mastectomy with auxiliary clearance, losing 17 nodes. My arm does get a little bit puffy, but I'm lucky that it hasn't progressed any further than that. I was referred to a lymphoedema nurse who showed me some lymphatic drainage massage that I do morning and at night, I also find that gentle exercise helps, and wearing a sleeve for any travel. Can't do much about it except manage it that way. If I have any treatments, I ask that they don't take my blood pressure that side.
Have a look on a lymphoedema website, as they have some clips that demonstrate the massage techniques. Also get yourself a lymphoedema nurse who can help you monitor the fluid in your arm. 
Hope this helps, Trace xxx

Lymphoedema is a shit of a thing. Unfortunately, it can raise its nasty head years after surgery. Rose thorns, insect bites, scratches, knocks and bruises... Phhffft. With my lifestyle? Really?

I'm in an awkward position as I've had nodes out both sides. The upper part of my left arm is still numbish and creepy 7 months after surgery so any squeezing procedures happen on the right. As far as bloods are concerned, if I can't get someone to access my port I usually insist they use my feet or ankles. Don't freak, it is not nearly as bad as it sounds and they are the only veins that have not been affected by my previous chemo. I take my own hot pack to pathology because most companies don't have the time or couldn't give a shit about details like that.

I've had a few discussions about taking blood from arms that have lymphoedema risks. It seems the concern is not the procedure itself, but the risk of infection. I'd say that is a pretty low probability of happening if proper care is taken. So, I'll let them use the 'good' vein in my left arm on occasions (sometimes I'm to exhausted to have discussions about alternatives)if I am absolutely confident that there is a good sterile field and the operator is scrupulous about cleanliness. Some places I've been in that is a definite 'No, talk to the foot.'

Oh wow, that's promising, Aineg was your arm totally numb to touch and now after 8 months nearly gone hey, that's great, hope mine does that.  It's nearly four months but stillllll numb....x

Hi @bevvzy as Melclarity says, it's really just about sensible precaution.  If avoidable, lymphoma is something we could do without.  I do find my left arm tires and aches much more than my right, but if that's due to the full node sweep (left) versus just the sentinel node (right), or due to the radio on the left, I don't know. But I try to take care of it just in case.
@Myjourney the numbness should lessen, though I have been told it may never go completely.  - 8 month today since surgery the numbness is barely noticeable on the left side :)