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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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