I have lymphedema in my legs. I've had the wrappings and the swelling goes down. I went everyday for 5 weeks

Question

I also wear the compression stockings, which are very uncomfortable, but necessary. I have pains inside my legs and the bottom of my feet feel like I'm walking on marbles. When touched, there is nothing on the bottom of my feet. Just wondering what others are doing for treatments.

Answer 1

Keep your legs in the air at night. Exercise your legs, like imaginary bicycle while lying in bed. Keep salt to an absolute minimum and stay super active. You will get better!

Answer 2

Hi Tic Toc, I wrote you privately too. It sounds like you had the therapy, was it done by a certified lymphedema therapist? Did they give you full footed stockings? You may need extra compression on the feet part of them. The fluid causes areas between the bones of the foot to swell, you are feeling the result. The pains in your legs can be neuropathy or simply from the fluid moving, the pressure on the veins. Swelling compresses the nerves.

Some of the pumps, mostly older ones can cause genital swelling so beware of that.

Do you do self manual lymph drainage therapy? Skin care? special exercises? skin brushing? Your therapist should have taught you those things and treatment should have been full body not just the lower extremedy.

Answer 3

If you are at risk for developing lymphedema, you can act to prevent it. If you have mild lymphedema, you can act to keep the condition from worsening. You can take the following precautions to prevent or minimize symptoms:

• Clean your affected limb regularly. Remember to dry it thoroughly and apply lotion
• Wear gloves while gardening and cooking
• Shave with an electric razor
• Don't go barefoot
• Do not cross your legs when you sit
• Do not carry a handbag with your affected arm

In addition, if you are at risk for lymphedema, avoid having injections and blood pressure readings performed on your affected limb. You can also wear a special bracelet or necklace to notify medical personnel of your risk for lymphedema and the risk for complications, such as infection.

Physicians have not agreed about how to best treat chronic lymphedema. Some people have benefited from manual lymphatic drainage. This treatment uses massage to stimulate your weakened lymphatic system. Other treatment methods include special exercises that you can do while wearing compression stockings or bandages, and the use of external pumps to aid the movement of fluid through your body. A treatment that combines these treatments with lifestyle changes is called complex decongestive therapy.

Medication cannot cure lymphedema. However, your physician may prescribe medications to treat associated conditions. For example, antibiotics play an important role in combating infections that can worsen lymphedema.

Your physician may recommend surgery to remove excess tissue if your limb becomes so large and heavy that it interferes with your ability to move it.

Treating your lymphedema requires your participation. Because lymphedema can be very painful, you may benefit from individual counseling. You can also join support groups that provide practical advice as well as social and emotional support.

Answer 4

I have this condition too. I started my therapy out at every day for 3 weeks & now am going 3 days a week. The compression bandage is a pain in the butt! I had to get a different one made with a bit of a different material so I could get it on myself. I also do the self massage that my therapist taught me 3-4 times a day. My LE is in my right calf. Some days, the bottom of my right foot is numb & I can't feel anything, pain, hot or cold. Now that the weather's warming up, I've taken up swimming again. I'm also calling around my area to find swimming pools open year round, besides the YWCA. Swimming is EXCELLENT for LE, no matter where you have it in your body. Unfortunately, the pain is associated with our condition. I take Ultram at night to help me sleep once in awhile when the pain is so bad I can't relax to sleep. I also take Motrin 800 during the day or Advil. I know what the marbles feeling is like. I get that too on my right foot. Seems to come along when my foot isn't numb at that point. I belong to an e-group on Yahoo for LE too. If you'd like, you can leave me a message on my 360 page & I'll let you know the group's name. They have TONS of info & are a great bunch.

Answer 5

The neuropathy illness can cause the outward symptoms such as: tingling, prickling experience, numbness of the area round the affected nerves, quick problems, sharp as well as using sensation in the nerves.
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Answer 6

Many of our LE patients find benefits from a "pump". The pump pressurizes "pants" that a patient wears for an hour or so a day.

One company is NormaTec, I think another is Flexi-Touch.

Answer 7

I suggest a Tens unit. Ask your physical therapist about it. Works great!!! Also, lymphatic massage works very well.

Answer 8

i don't know about this...but I'll keep you in my prayers...best of luck

Answer 9

http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DS/00609.html