The beginning

Lymphangitis(Infection)
Signs and symptoms of lymphangitis may include some or all of the following: rash,red blotchy skin,itching of the affected area,discoloration, increase swelling and/or temperture of the skin, heavy sensation in the limb, pain and in many cases a sudden onset of high fever and chills.

Treatment for infections: immediately discontinue ALL current lymphedema treatment modalities. And contact your physician as soon as possible. The antibiotics of choice for these type of lymphatic infections are those in the penicillin family.
Note: Always carry antibiotics or a prescription with you when you travel>

In the National Cancer Institute has an article in the Radiation Therapy and You book about the side effects that occur 6 months after chemo is over. Late side affects are rare, but they do happen. It is important to follow up with a radiation nurse or a nurse practitioner for the rest of your life.
Whether you get late side affect will depend on: The part of the body that was treated.
The dose and length of your radiation therapy.
If you received chemotherapy before, during, or after radiation therapy
Some late side affects are brain problems,joint problems,lymphedema, mouth problems,and secondary cancers.

People who are at risk for Lymphedema are those who have had;

Breast cancer. If you have had radiation therapy,or had underarm lymph nodes removed, or had radiation in the arm area after your nodes were removed.

Melanoma of the arms or legs, If you had lymph nodes removed and/or had radiation.


Prostate cancer, If you had surgery or radiation therapy to the whole pelvis.

Cancer of the female or male reproductive
organs, If you had surgery to remove lymph nodes or had radiation therapy.

Other cancers that have spread to the lower abdominal area,The pressure from the growing tumor can make it hard for you body to drain fluid.

Commandments of Lymphedema Mangement

1. Thou shalt live here and now!

2. Thou shalt not hurry!

3. Thou shalt not lift heavy!

4. Thou shall eat healthy!

5. Thou shall love thyself!

6. Thou shall take help when needed!

7. Thou shall rest when thou needs to!

8. Thou shall wrap or garment thyself.

9. Thou shall not be mad at thyself when thou is very swollen.

10. Thou shall say no when needed!

Ace bandage has come up with a Self-Adhering Bandage
I have use it and it stays put without tape.

Do you find it comfortable, Debbie? Will you use this from now on?

Hamsa, I like the new ones, But you can only wash them with warm water,No soap. I like to keep my bandages clean and odor free. I dont know, If anyone else has tried them please let me know. Thanks Debbie

Clinical Trials www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=Breast+Cancer+and+Lymphedema

footprintsangel wrote:

Hamsa, I like the new ones, But you can only wash them with warm water,No soap. I like to keep my bandages clean and odor free. I dont know, If anyone else has tried them please let me know. Thanks Debbie

you can only wash them with warm water,No soap

Ahhh that is something negative. perhaps they will improve later on to include that as well.

Lymphedema is not cheap.

I have been working with the lady the ordered me lymphedema garments last year. They where never paid for! If Medicare doesnt cover them Medicaid wont either. So I have to ask around It cost 3 thousand dollars and so specailist went to Susan G and places like that. I called medicaid and found out they should have been. So please be careful what you do when you get help. Cause I wont have new one right away cause I cant afford them. Dont get hung,Be sure things are really payed for before you take them. Good luck to all. Debbie

Visualization is similar to imagery, With visualization you create a inner picture the represents your fight with lymphedema. You might visualize rockets blasting at the pain and swelling. As you feel it relax and visualize a peaceful rest and relaxing your body. Lymphedema can be painful, But we can try many ways that even if helps alittle is worth it.

Relaxing with lymphedema

I have read many time relaxing can help lymphedema,I also heard that swimming is good to help the swelling cause of the cold water and movement. Other way to relax is treating yourself to time outs each day(even 10min.ones) The real way of help your lymphedema is helping yourself. Not overdoing,Not over lifting and etc. Be good to you!

Debbie I get tears in my eyes seeing how much you want to help others suffering from the same 'problem'. I so much appreciate your effort and kind willingness to help others!

Hamsa, Do you take time out for yourself? I hope you do, Cause even if you don't have lymphedema It help many other illness. Thank you for caring too! You have a very kind way of making people feel more relaxed and that they can fight! Hugs, Debbie

Thank you, Debbie. You are the best! I mean it.

Your are welcome Hamsa,You are very good with people too!
Tough times never last but tough people do!

When you are having pain alot please keep a journal of the lymphedema pain and swelling. You may get a book to keep track of it by going to www.partnersagainstpain.com
It is very helpful to have, You can even measure yourself to keep track of swelling.

Lymphedema can sometimes get you tired and feeling down.
Work on felling proud of your body, It got threw treatment!

Think of things that help you feel more attractive and confident.

Focus on the positive, You have come this far and should be very proud.

Treat yourself to something and remember you are a very wonderful person inside and out.

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/conditions-page-1-43- html
This has alot of help for you.

Do nots with Lymphedema


Do not wear tight clothes.

Do not tan or sunburn.

Do not have shots in lymphedema area.

Do not take hot bathes.

Do not ignore redness.

Do not use heating pad for lymphedema.

Do not skip appt. with Therapist.

Take care of yourself, Because you are important to alot of people.

Lymphedema and coverage,


Lymphedema is very hard to get Medicare or even some hospitals to cover. Alot of people like I are fighting to get help. I have old lymphedema garments with holes that are not covered still from a year ago. I need new ones but I make to much on disablity. 163.00 to much to get the state to help. So here I sit fighting cause I have lymphedema. There is help on the Cancerlife line 1-800-255-5505 They have people there that work with you. Please stay strong! I know its hard when you are fighting other things too like cancer. But keep strong we need to teach Medicare and others that this is life threating if we dont get the right care! Good luck, Debbie

Please remember, We can not let lymphedema control us, We must control lymphedema!

Lymphedema can slow you down

Lymphedema can slow you down, But you must not let it stop you! Do as much as you can each day, When I have good days,I go to the PTherapy and ride a bike. That way if you get weak someone there that can help you. Please remember lymphedema is something we can make easier to live with. If you have swelling by your lung and breathing problem, Please see your dr, When I had that problem the dr put me in a breathing class. Now I know how to breath when I swell or get out of breath.
We must stay strong and win!

If you are having trouble getting garments; www.healthclaimappeals.org/

Can you stay stong?

Sometimes with lymphedema we wonder why. As we learn about how to get help and fight. We must remember that lymphedema is something alot of people have never still heard of. We must teach people why we have lymphedema and that it is very painful some days. I had a lady tell me I have put on alot of weight, Not knowing it was lymphedema. So let people know if they ask or say anything about swelling. We need more people to learn what lymphedema is.THAT IT IS NOT FAT!
Take care Debbie

Physical therapist, Occupational therapists and massage therapist treat lymphedema. Most patients are referred to these specailists by surgeons or oncologists. As long as you have physical therapy/occupational therapy benefits or rehabilitation benefits as a part of your insurance coverage. and licensed physical/occupational
therapist provides the treatment, the services will be covered. Problems arise when individuals have policies that limit the monies allowed for physical/occupational therapy treatment.

Alot of people even doctors get lymphedema confused with water retention.
Many times when my legs are very swollen the Ptherapy person tells me to go take a water pill. I explain to them I have lymphedema. Well doesn't your Dr gives you waterpills for your swelling? I repeat to them that I have swelling from lymphedema and water pills don't work for that. Or sometimes I been told to put my legs up to help the swelling. I sure hope more Dr's learn what lymphedema really is.

How many people have been on Arimidex, I am on it and found one of the side effects is lymphedema. I will stay on it and beat the breast cancer and fight lymphedema, then go off arimindex.

Heard that they are cutting back help for lymphedema people, Please stay strong and fight this if it come our way. Cause the way it is said lymphedema is not a disease its just weight gain. No and help get in there and fight cause we know it is different! I hope insurances dont go this far. But if they start cutting are help, WE NEED TO FIGHT AND KEEP IT.