Lymphedema Support Group

Hello everyone--

I am a breast cancer survivor who has suffered with Lymphedema of the right arm since a mastectomy nine years ago. The swelling is moderate, not painful, but noticeable. I wear a compression sleeve and gauntlet almost daily. Over the years I've done Lymphedema drainage massage therapy @ the local hospital, and tried wrapping my hand and arm nightly with the many foam pieces and compression wraps (the 20-minute process). Both these procedures gave temporary, but not total reduction of the swelling.

I've joined this forum to tell all of you that I recently began acupunture treatments which, in two weeks and (5) sessions, have reduced the hand swelling to almost normal, and the wrist and forearm noticeably less. I plan on continuing these treatments to see how much more progress can be made, and will keep you posted...

I am glad you have found something that helps and please keep us informed on how well this works. How long did it take them to diagnos your lymphedema? I am wondering because it took the doctors till 2001 to diagnos me and the best we can figure it is I have had it since 1982.

Thanks for the post and glad to have you as a member of the group

Hello--Like many of us, I was not told anything re: Lymphedema by any of my doctors, including breast surgeon, oncologist or gyno until my arm swelled after a flight I took beween chemos. Had I known, I definitely would have gotten the sleeve and gauntlet for prevention. Only after I returned from that trip with cellulitis did my primary Dr. say,"Oh yeah, the cellulitis resulted from the Lymphedema". This was 2000, there was no established protocol on how to direct patients...hopefully things have improved for those diagnosed today.

Acupuncture to treat my lymphedema came as a fluke--I was at the Chinese internist/acupuncturist at the recommendation of my husband, who has had success there for lower back pain. I went for neck pain, and when the Dr. saw the sleeve and gauntlet, she said that acupuncture can help the lymphatic system drain, it's used in China often. Of course, I'm thinking, Are you crazy--putting needles in my arm? But then, what's the worst that can happen--another bout of cellulitis, take the antibiotics, I'll be fine. And, so far, my hand and arm are looking good--I go again tomorrow...

I had cellulitis also years ago in 93 and even then no one ever told me about the lymphedema. My lymphedema is heriditary actually after I was diagnosed so was my aunt and my baby sister was just diagnosed last week she starts the massages and wearing the wrappes tomarrow actually.

Please keep me informed on the accupunture and how it does may be an idea to give it a try.

So far, so good....I participate on the Breastcancer.org forum re: lymphedema, and have been told that as of last August, a Chinese doctor was planning a clinical trial studying acupuncture to relieve lymphedema. Also, it apparently is not necessary for the needles to be used on the affected areas to see results, as the entire body should benefit...

Great news hon I hope it helps you forever and I talked to my hubby about it. He said we may look into that here and see if we can afford to give it a try.

Check with your insurance--the Chinese internist/acupuncturist's ofc is in my insurance network, and I just pay a copay.

Oh sorry maybe I should have explained I am on disability and will start on medicare in Sept. I am also one of these people who doesn't go to doctors unless I am in so much pain that I have no choice. This additude stems from the fact that all my life it seems I have been hurting and stuck and probed so much that I just got tired of it and now live with the pain as long as I can.

I am looking into acupuncture after hearing about it through a Memorial Sloan Kettering Integrated Oncology speaker. She said that there were some recent "surprising" results that are prompting clinical trials of acupuncture for lymphedema. I was happy to find your post. I would love to know more about your treatment. I live in St Petersburg, FL. Anyone else with experience with acupuncture?