Cancer Survivor

If you go to the VSG maintenance group (see url in my signature) there are two people who have reached goal and also deal with lymphodema after breast cancer. If you joint the group and post, I am sure these two ladies would be happy to share thoughts. They have posted about it from time to time. DS

Do what DianeS and others say, you will be fine.

I also went thru breast cancer and still have lymphedema. Weight loss is almost entirely diet, no worries about exercise limitations.

I do exercise by the way. Not saying you should, follow your specialists advice, of course. But my lymphedema peeps had no problem with me exercising as long as I modify if I need to.

best wishes,

Shel

Right now my main thing is orange theory fitness (a 60 min HIIT class which is about 30-40 min cardio plus strength training) plus about a weekly long hike or cross country ski or snowshoe. I started that last Aug.

And, there is yoga. Always yoga! tho since I started OTF (as the kids say) I'm doing more yoga at home than studio.

The OTF strength training includes hand weights---I use between 8 and 30 lbs depending on what I am doing. I notice my LE arm seems to be lagging my other arm in gaining strength. That's Ok with me, it is still improving plus I am sure that the exercise is breaking up something (scar tissue? adhesions?) that is improving range of motion on that side.

After cancer treatment (almost 9 years ago) I got rid of my home rower (which I loved) because it really seemed to make my LE flair. Now, part of OTF happens to include rowing. I am not one of those people who can say that exercise improves LE. But, exercise improves everything else and as long as I can manage the LE I will keep the exercise.

I love feeling strong. If you had a personal trainer and did boot camp, I bet you do to. I honestly suspect that you can exercise. I also honestly expect that (like everything else) that exercise's effects on lymphedema depends on the individual. Much of my lymphedema training was learning to watch for trouble and manage accordingly rather than to avoid any particular activity altogether.

Again, I know nothing about your situation I know you don't take medical advise from internet strangers, right? (But, I'm secretly rooting for you to able to exercise if you want)

Good luck!

Hi Diva,

I am so very glad to read that your breast cancer treatment appears to be successful, albeit with some lymphodema. I had a double mastectomy but managed to avoid the lymphodema so our situations are not quite a match. What I do notice though is that if I use my left arm too much in a day my left side along the ribcage will really swell up still with some swelling also in the upper arm. This was not a thing prior to the double mastectomy so it is related to that in some form. I initially had a lot of restricted movement, but have since regained nearly full range of motion.

I think if I could offer any advice it is to pay attention to what seems to make your condition worse compared to when you can do an exercise that does not seem to inflame/worsen it. Take notes. Hopefully, you may come across a pattern to help guide you in what you tolerate well. Include in your notes what you are eating to see if diet may have a mitigating factor in that. Finally, if you are able to check in with your doc ask what you might do, if sleeves or other support type garments may assist, etc. If you are able to walk without it getting worse that is actually a really great way to get started. I know for a long time I had to put the left arm in a sling when I went for walks (or even at work) to keep me from moving the arm, which in turn would trigger a ton of swelling. Maybe some type of an adjustment may help in your situation? Find a forum online of survivors and post there- I bet you will find a slew of possible solutions that way. We are better here about weight management and not so much experience with lymphodema resulting from cancer issues. I can help you track down a place if that helps. Breastcancer.org might be a place to start poking around for that.

I wish I could be more helpful, but know that we are sisters in this and I am rooting for you.