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Diagnosed with Cancer? Your two greatest challenges are understanding cancer and understanding possible side effects from chemo and radiation.  Knowledge is Power!

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Dealing with treatment side effects? Learn about evidence-based therapies to alleviate your symptoms.

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Non-Conventional Lymphedema Therapies

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Wearing surgical bandage, massage, exercise, and pumps form the core program for most patients with lymphedema- 

Breast cancer is a serious type of cancer. More to the point, a common side effect from surgery for breast cancer, lymphedema, can be just as serious. Fortunately, there is a growing list of therapies to manage this common side effect.

I began taking a systemic proteolytic enzyme called Wobenzym due to its ability to reduce my risk of cancer relapse combined with Wobenzym’s ability to reduce the risk of blood clots (DVT’s). I developed a DVT due to chemotherapy for my multiple myeloma and I wanted to reduce the risk of developing another DVT as well as relapsing from my MM.

Over the years I have come across other evidence-based uses for Wobenzym.

The study linked and excerpted below cite’s Wobynzym as a therapy to reduce a painful side effect of breast cancer surgery called lymphedema. Wobenzym is a wonder drug.

To Learn More about Lymphedema- click now

I am both a cancer survivor and cancer coach.  For more information about managing your side effects and/or your cancer, scroll down the page, post a question and I will reply ASAP.

thank you,

David Emerson

  • Cancer Survivor
  • Cancer Coach
  • Director PeopleBeatingCancer

Recommended Reading:


Lymphedema: clinic-therapeutic aspect.

Abstract-Lymphedema may be presented in the mild or less severe form. Nowadays, accurate diagnosis and effective therapy are available. Wearing surgical bandage, massage, exercise, and pumps form the core program for most patients with lymphedema. The application of pharmacological therapies has been notably absent from the management strategies for lymphatic vascular insufficiency states but lately, some progress has been made by applying wobenzym in the treatment. Surgical approaches to improve lymphatic flow through vascular anastomosis have been, in large part, unsuccessful, but controlled liposuction affords lasting benefit in selected patients.”

She Survived Breast Cancer But Says A Treatment Side Effect ‘Almost Killed’ Her

“After Virginia Harrod was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 2014, she had a double mastectomy. Surgeons also removed 16 lymph nodes from under her armpit and the area around her breast, to see how far the cancer had spread and to determine what further treatment might be needed. Then she underwent radiation therapy.

As it turned out, the removal of those lymph nodes, along with the radiation, put Harrod at risk for another disorder — lymphedema, a painful and debilitating swelling of the soft tissue of the arms or legs, and/or an increased vulnerability to infection…

In recent years, oncologists have begun paying more attention to the physical, emotional and financial costs of a condition they say is a “common and underreported complication of cancer treatment.”

No longer content to rely on compression clothing and bandages, antibiotics and massaging of limbs to minimize lymphedema’s symptoms, some cancer surgeons have been pioneering procedures to restore a healthy lymph system in these patients, or, better yet, prevent the problem.

Often referred to as the body’s natural sewage system, the lymph system is a network of nodes — small filters containing immune cells — linked by minuscule tubes and channels that carry nutrients around the body and help eliminate dangerous microbes and damaged cells, such as cancer cells.

When that lymph network is blocked or otherwise compromised — by scarring and inflammation from radiation treatments, for example, or by removal of a number oflymph nodes — fluid can build up in the areas near where the nodes used to be. That’s lymphedema.

As the fluid backs up, and nearby limbs often begin to swell, patients with lymphedema can have difficulty moving — picking up a grocery bag, or even getting dressed.

For some people, a sudden infection is the first symptom….”

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13 comments
Breast Cancer and Chemicals - PeopleBeatingCancer says 9 months ago

[…] Non-Conventional Lymphedema Therapies […]

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Manual Lymph Drainage and Lymphedema - PeopleBeatingCancer says 9 months ago

[…] Non-Conventional Lymphedema Therapies […]

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Green Tea Extract Inhibits Breast Cancer Relapse - PeopleBeatingCancer says last year

[…] Non-Conventional Lymphedema Therapies […]

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mike mullins says 4 years ago

i have had primary lymphedema to my lower extremities for over 20 years and have managed it well over the years. Recently a change in blood pressure medication caused my legs to fill with fluid. After a switch back to previous meds, one leg went back to its normal but the other remained swollen and worse. I am doing massage therapy with little success. I started taking a few herbal remedies to help with the lymph drainage. I am interested in this enzime therapy but have no idea what to take or how much and cant seem to find much info on the internet. can you give me more information to help me. The thought of going through the rest of my life with full length compression garments is a depressing one. can you help?

Reply
    David Emerson says 4 years ago

    Hi Mike-

    I wrote that blog post for women who had BC surgery and who were experiencing lymphadema. I’m embarrased to admit that I didn’t know lymphadema occurred in one’s legs. I take wobenzyme myself to help with post DVT syndrome and I understood that wobenzyme could help lymphadema in addition exercise, massage, etc.

    All to say that I don’t think I can add anything to the therapies you already do/take. If you are interested in learning more about Wobenzyme N therapy, you can search it- that is the spelling and there will be numerous studies you can read.

    As for dosing, I take half of the daily recommended dose given on the label.

    good luck,

    David Emerson

    Reply
Kamin says 5 years ago

Hello, my mom had a partial mastectomy due to breast cancer. She developed lymphodema on her right arm, which has been quite swollen. She has used a compression bandage, tried aqua therapy and massage but none have really reduced the swelling. I bought wobenzyme at a natural food store but I am hesitant to give it to my mom. How effective is wobenzyme in her type of lymphomeda? And are there side effects or drug interactions with other meds she’s currently taking. She’s taking meds to treat high blood pressure, diabetes

Thanks for your help

Reply
    David Emerson says 5 years ago

    Hi Kamin-

    I am sorry to read of your mom’s lymphadema. I know that this can be a painful side effect of BC. Having not had lymphadema myself I cannot tell you how effect it is as a therapy. I can only quote the study linked in the article- “The application of pharmacological therapies has been notably absent from the management strategies for lymphatic vascular insufficiency states but lately some progress has been made by applying wobenzym in the treatment.”

    I take Wobenzym myself for inflammation reasons as well as my history of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots). I don’t know if any interactions that wobenzyme has with other medications. Sorry I can’ provide more info for you.

    Good luck,

    David Emerson

    Reply
DCIS- Risk of Future Breast Cancer in Either Breast - PeopleBeatingCancer says 6 years ago

[…] Non-Conventional Lymphedema Therapies […]

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Alcohol Intake Increases Risk of Certain types of Breast Cancer - PeopleBeatingCancer says 6 years ago

[…] Non-Conventional Lymphedema Therapies […]

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Debbie Errico says 6 years ago

I have lymphedema in my left arm and had a mastectomy and took out 3 nodes under my arm. I have it for over 2 years. Can u tell me if Wobenzyme will help me?

Reply
    David Emerson says 6 years ago

    Hi Debbie-

    Based on feedback from BC survivors who have had lymphedema as well as the study about enzymes, lymphedema can be managed with exercise (moderate, frequent weight lifting) and wobenzyme. I have no personal experience with lymphedema so I have to go on the info I get from research and feedback from survivors.

    David Emerson

    Reply
suzierose says 8 years ago

Hi David,

Where do you purchase the Wobenzym?

I would like to try it.

Reply
    David Emerson says 8 years ago

    Hi Suzie-

    I buy Wobenzyme online through Amazon.com. Click here-

    Let me know if you think it works if you think of it.

    thanks

    David Emerson

    David Emerson

    Reply
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