Upper arms Lympedema and booster shot needed in Thigh?

[jersey-jazz]

Among all the big problems that keep the insomnia going( like more liver lesions), I have an immediate, small problem that has woken me at 2am and has barred me from sleep while I mentally corkscrewed down into the night with the same little problem whirling around. It is now 6:30 am and I have a meeting with the new oncologist, today. Her office staff questioned my need for the booster to be in the thigh rather than in the lymphedemic upper arm. Already, I have mental conflict with the office of the new oncologist.

Does anybody have lymphedema in upper arms barring them for needles or is this just something that I read somewhere on the web and I embellished? A hasty reply would be much appreciated. My meeting is in just a few hours.

[Wintervt]

I have lymphedema in my right arm. When I was hospitalized I was given a special lymphedema bracelet and a sign was placed on my door (by the hospital staff) to not use that arm for any procedures.

[hdhonda]

Your oncologist needs to have a meeting with the staff to educate them about lymphademia. It is a serious and lifelong condition. Anyone who has had lymph nodes removed needs to be treated as though they have lymphademia. Hopefully, the staff will be educated and not endanger or cause further damage to patients. The number of medical professionals who are not aware of the dangers is alarming. I once was walking out of a pre-op because the nurse insisted on putting an IV in my left arm despite the fact that I had a lymphademia alert bracelet on. The doctor hugged me and assured me they would protect my arm and he did. I hope you get this in time. Best wishes and blessings to you. Hannah

[jersey-jazz]

Wintervt, girlsptz and hdhonda----Thank you all for being here for me. and in such a hurry. There are no flies on you girls.I am very glad to know about the lymphedema bracelet. I will figure out how to get one for each arm and I will wear them. As you may know, I had bilateral breast cancer with lymph node involvement. The left hormone positive had two sentinel nodes removed. On the right HER2, twelve cancerous lymph nodes were removed. The oncologist ordered lymphedema therapy. I was not sure if it was for both or just the right but only the right was treated at the time. Later on, both got treatment.The left arm is really bad. The right arm is not good either. I have not been assertive at all concerning the lymphedema but your knowledgeable advice is going to strengthen my backbone. I have difficulty with the blood draws. I allow it in the elbow area of my right arm and in my hand. What else can I do? Thank you again for the great support.

The new oncologist wanted me to begin the two-needles-in-the-keister today but I put it off till after Thanksgiving. I am giving an outdoor Thanksgiving party on Sunday for a friend who is in a rehab which is in virus lock-down. On Thursday, there will be ten or eleven of my family sitting down at my table for Thanksgiving. Just now, I have a cut up giant pie pumpkin in the oven roasting. Tomorrow, I begin the cooking and the pie baking.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Frances

[Ursula_I in reply to jersey-jazz]

Hi, late reply but I sgree with the others. When I was in hospital recently (uk) they put a red hospital bracelet on my right wrist which read 'nil by right arm' (!) I don't even have lymphoedema, I just have the risk of lymphoedema because my lymph nodes were removed five years ago. As I had a problem with my left arm, my blood pressure was taken on my right leg. My left arm is okay now, and all of my injections (covid, flu etc) are in the left arm. My Phesgo injection is into my thigh. The nurses all took the view that I should not risk using my right arm for anything.

[NPmary]

I won't get any shots or needle sticks in the arm l had lymph nodes removed from and definitely not if l had lymphadenopathy. I can't remember the medical organization that advised this but l did read that announcement. I do get blood drwn from the other arm but l did not get the vaccination in that arm either because l have neuropathy in that arm. There is no problem getting the shot in your thigh muscle.

[Dancer1000]

I had mine done in my thigh because I have lymphedema in my right arm and am at risk for it in my left.

[Hidden]

Yes, I have been fitted with a sleeve and glove in the past two weeks. I’ve been told under no circumstances must I have any kind of needle etc put into that arm. I had my booster in the other arm which seems to be ok at the moment. I also have new liver lesions and I’m waiting for my CT results to see if my new treatment is working. All very anxious times. I didn’t realise that Lymphedema was so serious until I saw the Specialist Nurse who gave me a thick book to read. Good luck with everything.

[Beryl71 in reply to Hidden]

I had some new taping treatment starting August last year, having had lymphodema for about 25 years. For several months I had my arm taped from wrist to shoulder to guide the lymph flow towards working vessels. For some time now I haven't worn a sleeve and my arms are almost the same. My therapist has done specialist training, and successfully used on a number of patients. My friend had throat cancer and he got her neck back to normal.

It is private and costs me £50 per session. I now go every month to six weeks. It's an absolute boon and another sense of normality for me.

Here's a bit of information I found about it.

vodderschool.com/lymph_taping

[Beryl71]

Yes I have lymphodema in one arm and I bought some no needles wristbands. So I have bloods and injections in left arm. When I've needed two, I've had to go back another time.Interestingly however my lymphodema therapist said there is no reason not to have them in the affected arm if all the correct cleansing took place. He said the main issue was infection. But I'd rather not take the chance. Good luck. X

[Buffwright]

I always have injections and blood draws on the arm NOT affected by lymphedema.

[George5545]

As far as a bracelet, you can get them on Amazon. I got my mom a couple a few years back. They are pink and a silicon like material that stretches over your hand. You can wear them in the shower. She never takes it off. It’s nice to have a physical reminder as she doesn’t have an issue and sometimes it can be a little hectic at any doctors office. Hope this helps!

Deanna

[mariootsi]

I tried to get my shots in my thigh but no one there were trained to do that...they said. Had to get all shots my arm. They are both swollen, so I just had to get them.

[mariootsi]

Thanks Sandra that is so kind of you. My cancer hospital wasn't giving shots which was so amazing to me. They didn't even tell me to get the shots in my thigh. I just happened to read an article on line! Crazy!

[jersey-jazz in reply to mariootsi]

I learned this the same way. Although I went to lymphedema therapy, I was not given that advice. Like you, I read it in some paper about lymphedema.

[mariootsi in reply to jersey-jazz]

You would think they would have told us!