pigeon

I had bilateral mastectomy a year ago. Which arm? neither, if possible. They can take blood pressure on my leg (but usually won't) or on my forearms. To take blood, they have to use the back of my hands, which does not always go well (5 stabs from 2 different techs the first time).
Personally, lymphedema can happen at ANY time and is not well understood, as the medical profession will even admit. If you can avoid risking it, you'll be better off. Once a problem with lymphedema, always a problem with lymphedema.

I was told that which arm to use had more to do with the removal of lymph nodes and not the removal of the breast. I had a bilateral mastectomy with lymph nodes removed on the left side. So far I haven't had any problems with blood pressure being taken on the right side but it's only been a month since surgery.

I agree with leepenn-if you don't have a good feeling about something there is usually a reason for it. Go with your gut. Best wishes to you:)

Thanks to all for answering... not sure how much chemo at this time... anywhere from 2 to 6 treatments... guess my "gut" is telling me not to use that arm because lymph nodes were removed on that side and I've never had problem with lymphedema but don't want to start after 20 years...

I'm on Revlimid which I take at night. That was suggested since it can have some side effects which include fatigue. Sometimes I get a little tingling in my hands and feet, but thankfully it goes away. My skin is really dry, so that's something I'm trying to manage with the right combination of oils and other 'greasy' mediums, but it remains a challenge. Now that winter weather is setting in, it will be even more of a challenge.

Now, prior to my stem cell transplant, I was on oral chemo consisting of Revlimid, Thalomid and Dexamethasone. The first two caused fatigue, but the DEXA--oooh, the Dexa-I hate it because it made me stupid, ansty, unable to sleep without a sleeping aid, and then the crash an burn on the days I came off of it were just as bad. It's a kicker and I hope I never, ever have to take it again! However, it seems to be a part of just about all chemo regimes, at least from those I have talked to with blood cancers similar to mine.

Like a previous answer I read-it depends on what chemo you will be taking what the side effects will be, and your oncologist should be explaining all that to you. I know mine gave me print outs of information about each of my meds, but I wouldalways go and look up more information on the internet, but only sites I felt were reliable, so be careful what you read. Ask your doctor or nurse for more information. Providing that information to you up front should be standard practice, but it not, ASK. Never be afraid to ask your care team for whatever it is you need. You are fighting cancer-there are no stupid questions, and it's ok to be a pest!!! It's YOUR life and YOUR treatment. As it says in the LIVESTRONG manifesto-knowledge is power! The more you know, the better, then you know what to focus on and what your options are. Good luck! (If you give us the names of the drugs you'll be on, we can help a little more with anecdotal information.) Hang in there!

I take Etoposide 100 mg every day for 21 days, and then 7 days off. My side effects are fatigue, anemia, and very mild nausea. This capsule form of treatment has been much easier than when I was getting chemo via IV every 3 weeks and took a week to recover. I am still fatigued, but I am able to work and do light cleaning and light exercise.

Iam on Xeloda also on I.V chemo Her2 and forget the other but my side effects are very slight. Xeloda 14 days on 7 days off. Of course I'm a little more tired and my hair is thinning but other than that not bad. So try to wait and see what your side effects are before getting worried about them. Good Luck to you.