Trunkal Lymphedema

[txred9876]

Is there any cyclist out there that have dealth with this issue and if so how?

Tina

[KnottedYet]

For the patients I've worked with who had it, it was mainly an oncology issue. Once the abdominal tumors shrank enough to clear the lymph ducts and lymphatic returns, the lymphedema decreased.

A couple of my patients had lymph descending into the pelvic bowl (which ended up causing genital edema) and that could be treated with compression. But I never saw any acceptable compression management for abdominal edema.

If you have a friend trying to ride a bike while dealing with it, I'd suggest they try a recumbent to take pressure off the abdomen until the tumors shrink. Activity of any sort is generally a help with lymphedema, and certainly helps with the effects of cancer treatment. If your friend is a woman, let her know about Team Survivor; it's a sports/support group for women in any stage of cancer treatment or survivorship. www.teamsurvivor.org

[txred9876]

For the patients I've worked with who had it, it was mainly an oncology issue. Once the abdominal tumors shrank enough to clear the lymph ducts and lymphatic returns, the lymphedema decreased.

A couple of my patients had lymph descending into the pelvic bowl (which ended up causing genital edema) and that could be treated with compression. But I never saw any acceptable compression management for abdominal edema.

If you have a friend trying to ride a bike while dealing with it, I'd suggest they try a recumbent to take pressure off the abdomen until the tumors shrink. Activity of any sort is generally a help with lymphedema, and certainly helps with the effects of cancer treatment. If your friend is a woman, let her know about Team Survivor; it's a sports/support group for women in any stage of cancer treatment or survivorship. www.teamsurvivor.org

I cannot say enough about Team Survivor. They are wonderful. I am a 4 year breast cancer survivor. I had inflammatory and had lymph node disection on my left side. I have done lots of things to keep my lymphedema at bay but there is not really any good compression for my abdomen. I do have a flexitouch which helps but it seems my new bike is irritating it (along with the horrible heat wave we are having here in central tx). I think its my bike shorts and the leaning position on my road bike. I didn't have this problem on my hybrid and it was also 10-15 degrees cooler.

tina