Warning to those with lymphedema
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Warning to those with lymphedema

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Warning to those with lymphedema

  • Post
    • October 5, 2011 at 11:54 pm
    Jim M.
    Participant

    Hi everyone,

     For the past almost 3 years I've had lymphedema in my right arm. I began to favor my left arm by carrying more things consistently on that side while giving my right arm a rest. We helped move our children from one place to another ( both are in college!). I know there have been times I've carried too much with my left arm. I've also done some exercises with 5 lb. weights.

    Hi everyone,

     For the past almost 3 years I've had lymphedema in my right arm. I began to favor my left arm by carrying more things consistently on that side while giving my right arm a rest. We helped move our children from one place to another ( both are in college!). I know there have been times I've carried too much with my left arm. I've also done some exercises with 5 lb. weights.

     I had an MRI on my left shoulder. That's when I lost the range of motion due to cellulitis. The MRI revealed 2 small tears in the tendons in different areas of the shoulder. My doc. said that it happened over years. I believe my actions over the last 3 years at least accelerated the damage to the area.

     I began to take a supplement called Collagen 1&3 which is supposed to support tendons and ligaments, among other things.

     I'm not posing a question here, rather just advice for those in similar situations. Don't overuse your unaffected arm!

     God Bless,

     Jim M.

Viewing 5 reply threads
  • Replies
      • October 6, 2011 at 12:23 am
      JerryfromFauq
      Participant

      Jim, Sorry to hear this news.  Let us how the Collagen 1&3 works out.  Enjoyed meeting you last year.  Did you make it for Kris's get together this year? 

        • October 6, 2011 at 12:38 am
        Jim M.
        Participant

        Hi Jerry, It was a pleasure meeting you as well. No, I didn't make it to Dean's golf tournament. I think that was the weekend we flew back to Miami from Costa Rica (my wife's country). Whatever time was left I rested. That was really a special time with our group at the tournament.

         Take care and God Bless<

        Jim

        • October 6, 2011 at 12:38 am
        Jim M.
        Participant

        Hi Jerry, It was a pleasure meeting you as well. No, I didn't make it to Dean's golf tournament. I think that was the weekend we flew back to Miami from Costa Rica (my wife's country). Whatever time was left I rested. That was really a special time with our group at the tournament.

         Take care and God Bless<

        Jim

        • October 6, 2011 at 12:38 am
        Jim M.
        Participant

        Hi Jerry, It was a pleasure meeting you as well. No, I didn't make it to Dean's golf tournament. I think that was the weekend we flew back to Miami from Costa Rica (my wife's country). Whatever time was left I rested. That was really a special time with our group at the tournament.

         Take care and God Bless<

        Jim

      • October 6, 2011 at 12:23 am
      JerryfromFauq
      Participant

      Jim, Sorry to hear this news.  Let us how the Collagen 1&3 works out.  Enjoyed meeting you last year.  Did you make it for Kris's get together this year? 

      • October 6, 2011 at 12:23 am
      JerryfromFauq
      Participant

      Jim, Sorry to hear this news.  Let us how the Collagen 1&3 works out.  Enjoyed meeting you last year.  Did you make it for Kris's get together this year? 

      • October 6, 2011 at 3:15 am
      MaryD
      Participant

      Hi Jim!

      Gosh, sorry to hear about those tendon tears in your right arm . .hoping the supplements can help you out.    I feel so lucky that I've been able to avoid lymphadema in my left arm after all the surgeries . .I won't take that for granted!

      Hope everything else is going well for you!

      God bless,

      Mary

        • October 6, 2011 at 10:31 am
        Jim M.
        Participant

        Hi Mary,

         Always nice to hear from you. I'm seeing an orthopedist also who gave me a shot of cortisol. Weber said one is OK but to avoid more since it's a steroid. I'm resting it so it's feeling better. I'm told when tears are small they can sometimes heal on their own. I'll see about physical therapy. Tomorrow I get a follow-up bone density scan. I'm trusting it will show an improvement from a year ago. I'm taking liquid calcium/magnesium and it has made a big difference in my nails.

         I continue to be NED and I will post on my upcoming anniversary on Nov.1.  

        Hope all is going well for you also Mary.

         God Bless,

         Jim

        • October 6, 2011 at 10:31 am
        Jim M.
        Participant

        Hi Mary,

         Always nice to hear from you. I'm seeing an orthopedist also who gave me a shot of cortisol. Weber said one is OK but to avoid more since it's a steroid. I'm resting it so it's feeling better. I'm told when tears are small they can sometimes heal on their own. I'll see about physical therapy. Tomorrow I get a follow-up bone density scan. I'm trusting it will show an improvement from a year ago. I'm taking liquid calcium/magnesium and it has made a big difference in my nails.

         I continue to be NED and I will post on my upcoming anniversary on Nov.1.  

        Hope all is going well for you also Mary.

         God Bless,

         Jim

        • October 6, 2011 at 10:31 am
        Jim M.
        Participant

        Hi Mary,

         Always nice to hear from you. I'm seeing an orthopedist also who gave me a shot of cortisol. Weber said one is OK but to avoid more since it's a steroid. I'm resting it so it's feeling better. I'm told when tears are small they can sometimes heal on their own. I'll see about physical therapy. Tomorrow I get a follow-up bone density scan. I'm trusting it will show an improvement from a year ago. I'm taking liquid calcium/magnesium and it has made a big difference in my nails.

         I continue to be NED and I will post on my upcoming anniversary on Nov.1.  

        Hope all is going well for you also Mary.

         God Bless,

         Jim

      • October 6, 2011 at 3:15 am
      MaryD
      Participant

      Hi Jim!

      Gosh, sorry to hear about those tendon tears in your right arm . .hoping the supplements can help you out.    I feel so lucky that I've been able to avoid lymphadema in my left arm after all the surgeries . .I won't take that for granted!

      Hope everything else is going well for you!

      God bless,

      Mary

      • October 6, 2011 at 3:15 am
      MaryD
      Participant

      Hi Jim!

      Gosh, sorry to hear about those tendon tears in your right arm . .hoping the supplements can help you out.    I feel so lucky that I've been able to avoid lymphadema in my left arm after all the surgeries . .I won't take that for granted!

      Hope everything else is going well for you!

      God bless,

      Mary

Viewing 5 reply threads
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