lymphedema

[greenbear]

An old lady of 70 years who has undergone masectomy at the hospital i go to has developed lymph edema. The sleeves make it worse. she is not able to exercise the arm much due to pain. Is there any other remedy. Some kind of special massage or something. I would really like to help her out.

[sumeet_shah Administrator]

When someone has an obvious swelling of the arm, it is very essential that they be seen by physiotherapists or occupational therapists trained in the management of lymphedema. There are no straightforward exercises. In fact, most people tend to massage from the periphery (fingers and hand) towards the forearm and arm. That is not correct! The massage is in the reverse direction usually, from arm towards hand and so. And to be honest, for quite some time, even I was it aware! Only when I visited specialist lymphedema clinics and understood the principles, I realised this.

So my suggestion is, since that lady has a swelling in spite of efforts, let her be seen by a lymphedema expert. Sometimes stockings are of incorrect size or they are worn incorrectly or could be other problems. Almost all institutes have their own lymphedema experts. Please let the lady have mentioned know about this and get her referred to the right person. The one person who can co ordinate this for her and whose responsibility this is, is her surgical oncologist. Let her be seen by him.

[greenbear in reply to sumeet_shah]

she has not spoken to her surgical oncologist. her medical oncologist just said to continue with the exercises. i shall ask her to speak to her surgical oncologist. thanks doctor. do you know any lymphedema expert.

[sumeet_shah Administrator in reply to greenbear]

Where does she stay?

[greenbear]

at chembur

[many]

There is a lymphedema clinic in Sushrut hospital in Chembur

[greenbear in reply to many]

Thanks many.