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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Lymphedema/ Carpal Tunnel - Cushing Syndrome
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Lymphedema/ Carpal Tunnel - Cushing Syndrome
by motherof2insouthernflorida, Dec 23, 2003 12:00AM
I have had a mastecomy and had 11 nodes removed, all of which were positive. I have had carpal tunnel in the past (pre-breast cancer), and it is starting to act up again. Previously, I would wear a wrist brace at night which help to greatly reduce the pain.
Now that I have had the nodes removed on the same side that I have the carpal tunnel, is it safe to wear the wrist brace? I don't want to get lymphedema, and I have been told to avoid having blood pressure taken on that side etc.
The wrist brace is adjustable, so it does not have to be real tight to support the wrist, but is having something even remotely tight on the affected side running the risk of getting lymphodema?
My second question is concerning Cushing Syndrome. I have been taking decadron (steriod) prior to my chemotherapy and for several days after. I have now developed a purple striae on my abdomen, and from my reasearch this could be the result of corticosteriod induced Cushing syndrome. I have other symptoms such as weight gain, menstral ceasation, and backache. I have been off the steriods now for 2 weeks and the purple striae has not gone away. At what point should I request my doctor to perform test to see if this is truly Cushing Syndrome or something else? Other underlying causes of Cushing syndrome could be tumor related, and with my history now of cancer, I'm concerned that it might not be drug induced.
Now that I have had the nodes removed on the same side that I have the carpal tunnel, is it safe to wear the wrist brace? I don't want to get lymphedema, and I have been told to avoid having blood pressure taken on that side etc.
The wrist brace is adjustable, so it does not have to be real tight to support the wrist, but is having something even remotely tight on the affected side running the risk of getting lymphodema?
My second question is concerning Cushing Syndrome. I have been taking decadron (steriod) prior to my chemotherapy and for several days after. I have now developed a purple striae on my abdomen, and from my reasearch this could be the result of corticosteriod induced Cushing syndrome. I have other symptoms such as weight gain, menstral ceasation, and backache. I have been off the steriods now for 2 weeks and the purple striae has not gone away. At what point should I request my doctor to perform test to see if this is truly Cushing Syndrome or something else? Other underlying causes of Cushing syndrome could be tumor related, and with my history now of cancer, I'm concerned that it might not be drug induced.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-JS, Dec 23, 2003 12:00AM
Dear motherof2insouthernflorida, Wearing the brace would probably not be a problem, and as you indicated, the less pressure to the area the better.
Your symptoms could all be related to chemotherapy induced menopause also. Discuss your concerns with your oncologist, they can evaluate your symptoms completely and also put them in conjunction with your blood work, the chemotherapy you are recieving etc. It is not unusual for weight gain, and stopping of menstrual cycles with some of the chemotherapy regimens for breast cancer.
Your symptoms could all be related to chemotherapy induced menopause also. Discuss your concerns with your oncologist, they can evaluate your symptoms completely and also put them in conjunction with your blood work, the chemotherapy you are recieving etc. It is not unusual for weight gain, and stopping of menstrual cycles with some of the chemotherapy regimens for breast cancer.
