is the any other 14 year olds who have lymphedema?

Question

ive had it for 3 and a half years

Answer 1

Hi There

Here is another method on how to help heal your condition.
Called a Light Beam Treatment. Check out the link

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/thesite/lymphedema_and_light_beam_generator_therapy.htm

Best of health to you

Cheers

Answer 2

Lymphedema can be caused by a primary condition (you are born with it), or it can be the result of injury to, or removal of lymph nodes (which happens many times when people have cancer sugery).

Milroy's disease is a type of primary lymphedema which is usually present at birth, but can also appear later in life..or Meige lymphedema (present around puberty). It usually results in swelling of the legs or arms.

Lymph swelling is much different than regular swelling because it is not just "water" causing the swelling, but a build up of proteins as well. This can make the skin very hard, dry and can lead to infection.

Probably the most effective treatment for lymphedema is a conservative approach of manual lymphdrainage, multilayer bandaging, and sometimes use of a compression pump. The manual lymph drainage is a gentle "massage" technique which has been shown to increase the transport of the proteins (and get them back into normal circulation where they can be flushed out by the kidneys). Sometimes, a pump which gently compresses the legs (or affected extremety) is used to flush out the "other fluids" (primarily water). Then the legs are bandaged to maintain the results of the treatment. Once the legs have come down in size, the person is usually fit with a special type of garment which looks like a stocking which is meant to keep the legs from getting swollen (and the bandages are no longer necessary). This treatment is usually done by a physical therapist who has receive specialized treatment in this method.

Other treatments that are up an coming include gene therapy which is still in animal testing phase. A professor at Stanford university named Dr. Rockson is the leader of this type of project.

It is rare for a 14 year old to experience lymphedema, but what I have discussed above may help you. Be sure to talk to your parents and doctor about treatment options.

The treatment mentioned by the first poster looks interesting, but as the editorial states, there is no solid scientific research to back this method other than a few cases studies (which are not considered to be of significant value). If it does prove to be effective, it will be a much easier form of treatment. Let's hope this turns out to be an effective treatment.

Of course there are other children with lymphedema...but it IS a rare condition in children. The incidence is not well reported, but estimated to be at a rate of 1.15 per 100,000 people

Answer 3

Yes, there are many other 14 year olds with lymphedema. You can learn more about lymphedema, and meet others with this condition, by visiting the Lymph Notes web site.