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Lymphedema long after surgery? Nervous…
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Lymphedema long after surgery? Nervous…

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Lymphedema long after surgery? Nervous…

  • Post
    • July 10, 2011 at 1:26 pm
    mom3girlsFL
    Participant

      Good Morning all,

      I was off enjoying a much needed vacation with family in the mountains of Georgia this past week and had a question.  Since my radical groin dissection (Sept 2010, I think) I have had very minimal swelling – surprising my surgeon even.  I did end up seeing a lymphedema specialist who released me after 4 visits b/c I really wasn't having any issues.

      Good Morning all,

      I was off enjoying a much needed vacation with family in the mountains of Georgia this past week and had a question.  Since my radical groin dissection (Sept 2010, I think) I have had very minimal swelling – surprising my surgeon even.  I did end up seeing a lymphedema specialist who released me after 4 visits b/c I really wasn't having any issues.

      Fast forward to vacation and out of nowhere I am swelling pretty good.  From my toes up to about my knee, possibly a little further up.  Elevating my leg is not helping much.  And, of course, since I have had no issues I did not bring my compression shorts on vac with me.  Now that I am home, I've elevated and put on my shorts, with little improvement.

      Of course I am worried something may be going on.  Anyone with similar experience?  Should I call the lymphedema specialist tomorrow or my onc and report the new symptom?

      Thanks, as always, for your help.

      Laurie

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • July 10, 2011 at 3:25 pm
        Linny
        Participant

          Sorry to hear you're experiencing swelling. I'm still new to the lymphadema risk thing myself but the first question that came to my mind was, how much hiking/walking did you so while you were in the mountains? Perhaps this may have caused your limb to swell. Is your other leg swollen as well — even just a little bit?

          Another thing to think about is the elevation at which you were. It's possible that the elevation made that sensitive limb act up. We took a drive up through the mountains here (elevation about 2000 ft) a few weeks ago and the higher up we went the achier my left arm got and I wished I had worn my compression sleeve. When we got down to a lower elevation the achiness subsided.

          If your therapist gave you massages and exercises to do, I'd try them too just to see if they help with the swelling. Also watch your salt intake. And, I'd call that specialist first thing in the morning. I'm not sure about calling the onc just yet but perhaps someone with a little more experience than me can chime in on that.

          Hang in there.

          • July 10, 2011 at 3:25 pm
          Linny
          Participant

            Sorry to hear you're experiencing swelling. I'm still new to the lymphadema risk thing myself but the first question that came to my mind was, how much hiking/walking did you so while you were in the mountains? Perhaps this may have caused your limb to swell. Is your other leg swollen as well — even just a little bit?

            Another thing to think about is the elevation at which you were. It's possible that the elevation made that sensitive limb act up. We took a drive up through the mountains here (elevation about 2000 ft) a few weeks ago and the higher up we went the achier my left arm got and I wished I had worn my compression sleeve. When we got down to a lower elevation the achiness subsided.

            If your therapist gave you massages and exercises to do, I'd try them too just to see if they help with the swelling. Also watch your salt intake. And, I'd call that specialist first thing in the morning. I'm not sure about calling the onc just yet but perhaps someone with a little more experience than me can chime in on that.

            Hang in there.

            • July 10, 2011 at 3:47 pm
            Carmon in NM
            Participant

              A breast cancer survivor friend of mine had no trouble with lymphedema for five years until her first plane flight after surgery. So it can come on suddenly and a change in altitude can definitely cause problems.

              Just for your own peace of mind, why don't you call both of them? Best wishes to you and please post again as to how you are doing.

              • July 10, 2011 at 3:47 pm
              Carmon in NM
              Participant

                A breast cancer survivor friend of mine had no trouble with lymphedema for five years until her first plane flight after surgery. So it can come on suddenly and a change in altitude can definitely cause problems.

                Just for your own peace of mind, why don't you call both of them? Best wishes to you and please post again as to how you are doing.

                • July 10, 2011 at 5:25 pm
                ValinMtl
                Participant

                  Hi Laurie,

                  I have lymphedema in my right leg…it's worse now since I have some nasty sub-qs growing.  I would definitely report this to your lyphedema specialist..as Linny said it could be related to altitude in the mountains. It's best to keep a tight lid on any problems with lymphedema, catch it early….And why not report it to the oncologist the new symptom to him…with melanoma, you can never be too proactive.   Val xx

                  • July 10, 2011 at 5:25 pm
                  ValinMtl
                  Participant

                    Hi Laurie,

                    I have lymphedema in my right leg…it's worse now since I have some nasty sub-qs growing.  I would definitely report this to your lyphedema specialist..as Linny said it could be related to altitude in the mountains. It's best to keep a tight lid on any problems with lymphedema, catch it early….And why not report it to the oncologist the new symptom to him…with melanoma, you can never be too proactive.   Val xx

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