New Book for Patients and Caregivers

In It’s Not Just a Swelling! – LYMPHEDEMA Joachim Zuther provides an up-to-date and comprehensive guide for specifically geared towards individuals affected by Lymphedema, their caregivers, and family members. 133 Images. Paperback and Kindle version

Topics include:

  • Self-Management of Lymphedema (Self-MLD, Skin Care, Compression Therapy, Exercises); includes Instructions for Self-Care with images
  • Nutritional Aspects
  • Lymphedema Risk Reduction, Do’s and Don’ts for Lymphedema
  • Complications of Lymphedema, such as Infections, Cellulitis, Leakage
  • Lymphedema and its Impact on Quality of Life
  • Traveling with Lymphedema
  • Prevention of Lymphedema
  • Treatment and Management of Lymphedema
  • Causes of Primary and Secondary Lymphedema and their Stages
  • Anatomy of the Lymphatic System
  • And Much More

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Lymphedema Products

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The Author

Joachim Zuther, Lymphedema Specialist. Read more
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Lymphedema and the Covid-19 Vaccine

By Joachim Zuther, on April 30th, 2021

 

It is good news for everyone that more and more people are receiving the vaccine and becoming protected against COVID-19.

Experts have recommended that most people with cancer or a history of cancer should get a COVID-19 vaccine. Because the various Covid-19 vaccines do not contain live viruses, they can be used in people with weakened immune systems, including people being treated for cancer. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found that these vaccines are safe and highly effective for preventing COVID-19, especially serious illness and death from the disease. However, you should talk to your doctor about whether getting vaccinated is the right decision for your individual situation.

So what if you have lymphedema affecting both upper extremities, or if you have a lymphedema risk in both arms?

While most people know that typically the vaccine is administered into the muscles of the upper arm,  I would like to point out that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the thigh musculature is approved for an alternative injection site. In fact, this information can be found in the guidelines for both Moderna and Pfizer for the application of the Covid-19 vaccine (1).

  1. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/pfizer/downloads/standing-orders.pdfOther sources:
    a. https://lymphaticnetwork.org/images/uploads/Covid-19_Vaccine_Information.pdf
    b. https://lymphnet.org/
    c. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/29/well/live/covid-vaccine-thigh-lymphedema-breast-cancer.html

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