Edema

[Beepers7]

Hi all you cancer survivors,

I have written several posts since being diagnosed with stage 3a lung cancer in 8/1/19. I just finished adjuvant chemo of 2 3 day cycles of carboplatin and etoposide. A new side effect has occurred swelling of my right ankle and calve. Guess they call it edema. I have researched and found out it can be caused by chemo. As a avid walker this is not a good thing. Walking during treatments has been my go to release.

It first showed up 4 days after last etoposide treatment. Any advise and what I can expect going forward when be much appreciated. Thanks and God Bless each of you

[rdflynnjr]

You need to talk to your oncologist ASAP. Any side effect, including lymphedema, needs to be treated now rather than later.

Let us all know how things go . We are in the same boat.

R

[Beepers7 in reply to rdflynnjr]

Thanks for your response. My oncologist prescribed a diuretic and told me to keep leg elevated. Reduce salt intake. Hope it goes away soon. SteveO

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

While you’re waiting to hear back from your doctor keep that leg elevated. If you have a measuring tape check it and write it down. If no measuring tape use a piece of string and knot it where they meet. Be safe and measure them both.

Do ask your doctor if walking will help your edema Sometimes it does and for others it makes it worse.

[Beepers7 in reply to Denzie]

Denzie,

Thanks for checking in. diuretic prescription and elevation. Also said to get TED sock. This one really caught me by surprise. The battle continues!

[Jenniferroseolson]

I have dealt with leg swelling for virtually 5 years during treatments. It comes and goes, gets better and worse. I never used a diuretic. I have less swelling on my current immunotherapy than on the carboplatin and then alimta (alimta for 4.5 years). I wore support knee socks nearly all day every day (even in heat sometimes). Of course then I would have swelling at the top of the sock, but I was able to manage that without too much discomfort. I put them on pretty much before getting out of bed in the morning. Walking (exercise, somewhat brisk) but NOT standing was part of most of my days. You can find all sorts of designs on Amazon. I found I needed the tighter compression of 20-30mmHG. The last set I bought was a brand called Fotociti on Amazon for 3 pairs about $15. (Of course walgreens or CVS sell the basic ones too). Also, I would practice “feet up the wall,” either in bed turning “backwards” and elevating legs straight up the wall with my body in sort of an L shape (or on the floor if you have the flexibility to get up and down off the floor). Don’t forget that putting your feet up technically means above your heart, not simply on an ottoman while you sit upright on a couch. I’m sorry you are dealing with this. It is terribly uncomfortable when you feel like your skin might split open.

[Beepers7]

Jennifer,

Thanks for your response. Your information is very helpful, but yesterday they determined I have a blood clot near my knee causing the soreness and swelling, not adema.

They put me on blood thinners. I did some research and found blood clots very common with cancer and chemo treatment.

This cancer demon knows no end it seems. I, like you and the rest of us cancer survivors, will not surrender. Wishing you the best. God Bless, SteveO