AboutTina Expertise I can help on all aspects of the condition, treatment, support. I cannot diagnose but only give my personal expertise, and refer you to others who can help. I am in touch with doctors, therapists, and professionals on a regular basis. I can help with disability issues pertaining to lymphedema or cancer.
Experience 13 year cancer survivor, Lymphland Support group owner, Owner of Lymphland.com website, writer for Butterfly Gazette, forums coordinator for ELymphNotes online lymphedema magazine, patient and advocate for 10 years, Yahoo answers advanced level answerer.
Organizations Lymphland Support Group Owner, Lymphland.com website owner, National Lymphedema Network member, American Society of Lymphology member, ELymphNotes forums coordinator and writer, member of many online support groups. Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Grief Counselor, former bank loan rep, pharmacy ass't
Education/Credentials college graduate, volunteer in pet loss grief counselling.
Expert: Tina Date: 11/12/2007 Subject: Swollen Handa
Question My husband had a lung collapse about 2 yrs ago and ever since his hands swell up. We have gone to doctors both here and in Mexico and no one can really tell us what is wrong with him. We have not gone to a specialist yet. He has stopped drinking and eating meat (going on a year) and that has helped somewhat but his hands still swell up. He is also taking vitamins such as horse chestnut, omega 3, an a multi pack. He has a band and he plays the accordion so he does use his hands a lot. What do you recommend we do or who should we go to?
Thank you for your help!!!
Answer Hi Perla
Does your husband take any pills on a daily basis other than vitamins? What tests have they done? If he has not had any blood work done, they need to do some to look for arthritis, gout, organ problems, heart problems, and also diabetes. If they have done this, he should be checked with a veinogram to be sure there is not any problems with the veins in his arms or hands. He should also have nerve conduction tests to look at the ulnar nerve behind the elbow which can cause hands to swell. If all of these things are ruled out then they should measure his hands over a few day time span and see what the swelling where the swelling is at and how it differs day and evening. It could be he has something like lymphedema which usually goes down a little at nighttime and swells during the day. If you press on the swelling in his hands do you see an indentation where you pressed? It could be nerve damage from the lung collapse as well from the lack of oxygen. He should have the above tests done definitely. Let me know more details if you have any to share if he's had any of the above tests done.
