tim jackson

This is really unknown territory. Received wisdom is that one should avoid
doing anything that raises the blood pressure or risks infection or
inflammation in the affected arm. However there is little evidence that
this actually works. There doesn't seem to be any real correlation between
those who actually get lymphedema and any particular lifestyle factors. It
does seem likely that -lack- of exercise would be a contributory factor to
this and other problems too.

You might be interested in looking up the dragon-boat racing thing they did
in Canada where they got a team of bc survivors to compete rowing one of
these big boats to try to see whether heavy arm exercise really did increase
or reduce the rate of lymphedema. Just ask Google for "breast cancer" and
"dragon boat"

"Ann T" might pick up on this one and add her view, she has been
participating in rowing exercises.


Tim Jackson

kaye301

Hi Jamie, I joined a gym 3 days after I was dx'd with b.c.---something that I
felt I should have done along time before. I was told that I wouldn't be able
to get into shape in the amount of time before my surgery--about 2 weeks, but I
did the impossible.
I wound up losing 17.5 lbs in 23 days between my dx and bilateral mastectomy.
I really think that it helped me in terms of pain reduction and increased
stamina. I did the machines and rode an exercycle for an hour a day--spending
about an hour and a half there.
I kept it up throughout my treatments. Latest research indicates that exercise
reduces fatigue from chemo and also helps reduce pain. I can't say I wasn't
tired, though. One time, during my treatments, I actually fell asleep on the
exercycle. Fortunately, I did not fall off. In addition I started a walking
program.
I have never, though, tried the steam. I also have M.S. and the heat from the
steam would be contra-indicated. As far as that goes check with your
oncologist or consult with a physical therapist trained in lymphedema. Another
thought--go to the lymphedema section for this forum.
Take care and wishing you all the best!

kaye301

I forgot what site I was at. For more info. re lymphedema try going to that
area at the following address:
http://bcsupport.org/

catherine

My doc told me to go to the gym and start lifting weights. I went and
signed up and explained to my new personal trainer that I had surgery and
had to be careful of lymphedema. She had me lifing weights on the nautilas
machines. Anyway... to make a long story short, I developed 'cording' in
that arm which I'm told is a sign of developing lymphedema. Told me doc and
she told me not to lift more then 15 pounds in that arm...

I would just take it slow and be careful and talk to the trainers and your
doc before starting.

Catherine

a. p. thorsen

Golly, do you think I might have a view about this, Tim <g>?

Sounds like Jamie's questions are mostly about the steam room, and I
have to admit I haven't done any focused research on that. In
researching exercise & lymphedema, though, the only things I recall as
having been able to be scientifically correlated with lymphedema *at*
*all* were trauma to the arm (infections, cuts, etc.) and weight gain
after surgery. And IIRC this was via some retrospective studies, so not
necessarily really solid research.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has a largish study going now looking
prospectively at lymphedema in cancer survivors who row (crew). I'm
enrolled in it. I've been rowing for about 6 months now (one to three
times a week), and recently spent a week at rowing camp (4-6 hours
rowing per day).

This past weekend, several of my breast-cancer-survivor teammates and I
were in our very first race! We were well behind the pack -- winners
finished in 7:16, and we were 2:22 behind that . . . but we achieved our
race objective, which was to finish the 2K course without capsizing or
other serious mishap. (We're kinda new at this, so less skilled than
the competition, and probably 20 years older than most of them!) Then
we turned the boat around immediately and raced in a "Row for the Cure"
exhibition race for another 1K!

But I digress . . . Tim mentioned the dragon boat racers, and they've
been the subject of some small-cohort studies that suggest upper-body
exercise doesn't trigger lymphedema, and may even reduce the incidence.
Anecdotally, so far none of the roughly dozen bc survivors I've been
rowing with have developed lymphedema.

In addition, I've been weight training 2 or more times a week for about
a year now, lifting to failure (wimpy little amounts of weight
required!), and thankfully have not had any lymphedema problems. (I had
nine nodes removed in October, 2000, and subsequently had radiation,
which appears to increase risk.)

I've switched from a conditioning program to a strength program this
summer, so am lifting as much weight as I can handle at 5 sets of 3-5
reps. My surgeon told me to take it slowly at first, and increase
slowly, so I've done that. I didn't weight train in any disciplined way
before BC. I'm 47, and have way more history as a couch potato than as
a fitness fanatic, if that matters.

The only thing I can say even remotely related to the steam room is that
I've been using a wet-heat heating pad on my back & shoulders regularly,
including the at-risk side, without incident. There have been times
when I used it daily, but the rowing's improved my back problems so much
I don't need to anymore!

Any of us could get lymphedema at any time. I don't urge other women to
make the choices I've made; I know it goes against what many doctors
will tell you. I'd encourage you to review the research yourself, and
decide what risks you feel comfortable taking (and decide how you may
want to define "risky" based on what you read).

Here's hoping you'll be able to resume the activities you enjoy,

Ann T.
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sssynsmrt

Hi Jamie:

I discovered that I can't get overheated either using the steam room or my
favorite, the sauna, because it makes my hot flashes so much worse. Anything
that raises my core body temperature will do that.

Sassy

jamie

Oh oh....good point! I hadn't thought of that one yet! I've noticed
whenever get into bed at night and cover up I get a hot flash within
seconds! Oh great! I'll have to give it a try anyway...just to see. Thank
you Sassy, for telling me about this. Perhaps I'll just go back to work
teaching ice skating!!!
jamie

bell-lady

I remember Kay301 saying she has hot flashes after comsuming sugar...I have
also noticed that now that she mentioned it! That's too bad, cause sugar
isn't leaving my life :-((

Ann in PA