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Will Having Blood Drawn From The Arm On Your Surgery Side Cause Lymphedema?

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question πŸ’­
Roseburg, OR

I had a lumpectomy and five lymph nodes removed. Does anyone know if it is wrong to have blood drawn from the side you had your surgery. I need to have some blood drawn and my so called "good" arm, the one they always want to use to get blood (because the veins on the other side are too small) is on the same side as the lumpectomy. I thought I had read that there is an increased risk of lymphedema if you have blood drawn on that arm. Does anybody know anything about this? I could ask at the lab… read more

October 18, 2012 (edited)
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A MyBCTeam Member

What I've read on the Internet says Not to have anything done in that arm - Ever!! No blood pressure, vaccines, blood drawn, etc. The lymphatic system in that arm is weaker. Do nothing to stress it out more ;)

October 20, 2012
A MyBCTeam Member

NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER for as long as you live - - allow anyone to do anything to your surgical side - - totally off limits.

August 14, 2013
A MyBCTeam Member

And apparently the quicker you address the lymphedema problem, the better you can get a handle on it.

January 21, 2013
A MyBCTeam Member

It could, I wear a bracelet on my arm to let medical people know that I can't have blood draws or blood pressures on my left arm. I also have one with my Drivers Lisence incase something should happen and I can't let them know.

January 26, 2013
A MyBCTeam Member

Here is one link, but it doesn't have all the same exercises I was given. I'll keep looking and post another link when I find the right one. Smiles.

http://vch.eduhealth.ca/PDFs/GG/FE.323.EX37.pdf

November 24, 2012

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