lymphadema

[eleanor]

Just wanted to give the heads up that if you experience this swelling there is relief. I am currently being treated for it, and the response is almost immediate. I just figured this was something I was going to have to learn to live with.
el

[jojo]

Eleanor, I am glad to see that you are getting an immediate response to your lymphedema. Would you tell me how you are being treated for it? And is it only mild lymphedema? Thanks.

[Kathy]

Thanks for the good news. Could you please share what exactly they did for you? I have a close friend that has it and she is only 35. She is not happy and is always wearing her sleeve because it seems to never go down. Thanks again.
Kathy
PS Does anyone take herbs for this?

[Rozebud]

I had a mild case 2 weeks ago and it is almost all gone. (I'm 34 and am lifting 2 young children several times a day). I'm doing nanual drainage massages with a therapist and some sleeve wearing, but mostly faithful light armweight exercises did it. 10 to 20 reps with 3 lb weights twice a day for 5 or 6 exercises. I've scanned these in for a few of my friends - if anyone wants a copy send me and e-mail and I will shoot them over. (They're probably copyrighted, but oh well, I could just as easily describe them to you as well).

[Kristen]

Hi Eleanor,
I had to go to a PT to learn about lymphadema and had therapy for my range of motion after my masectomy.
The PT told me that if you catch it early like you see a red spot or small lump, to call right away and that (I think Keflex) or another type of big guns antibiotic will stop it right away. You take it for a few days.
Why that would work? I don't know. Just thought I would share it with you. Hope it gets better. take care k

[Unregistered]

My 84 year old mother-in-law has severe lymphadema in her arm. She wears a sleeve, but only when it's convenient. Now her arm is so large that she said it "weeps". I've never heard of this. Can anyone tell me if that's really bad, or is she just in need of therapy. Thank you,
LR

[dlaxague]

Now her arm is so large that she said it "weeps". I've never heard of this. Can anyone tell me if that's really bad, or is she just in need of therapy.

LR, it sounds like both (bad and in need of therapy). It sounds miserable and it needs treatment before an infection starts or permanent damage is done. There is a lot that can be done for lymphedema, but not just any provider knows how to handle it.

Right now she needs to get a referral, asap, to a certified lymphedema therapist who will know what to do, and will teach her how to care for her arm. She should be able to get the referral from any of her docs, but an oncologist or surgeon should definitely know where to refer. She should not settle for less than a certified therapist. Most are also physical therapists or occupational therapists. Does she live near a decent-sized city?

Please let us know how she does, okay?

Debbie Laxague

[Montana]

I'm sure these first 6 posts are not from real members.

[sassy]

I think the first six posts are actually from an older thread that looks different because the site has undergone a conversion since they were posted. Sometimes when old posts are brought forward, it is a bit confusing.

[abitjaded]

Yes, yes, yes it can be treated! My arm blew up when I tried to go back to cross country skiing. A lot of other junk happened while I was trying to get it under control, I have carpal tunnel syndrom, too.

But do get a referral. Be persistent. I thought my insurance, Kaiser, had no one. Turns out there are five trained specialists in Kaiser Denver alone.

I finally got to see a therapist last week who taught me the massage and I already see improvement. If left untreated, the skin stretches and the proteins from the lymph get stuck, making it harder to get the swelling down.

Carla

[StephN]

Note that the first 6 posts are from 2004.

Jojo is one of our dearly departed and she, Kristen and Rozebud used to be quite active on this board.

Joe has also reinstituted posting by "guests."

My right hand has a small amount of lymphedema mostly between my knuckles on the back of my hand. I have a glove, but only use it if it gets beyond a certain point. Normally is barely noticeable. Did get treatment for it a while back and it is much better.

[fauxgypsy]

Stephn, What type of glove? Brand? I have tried a regular therapeutic glove and it hasn't helped much. My first two fingers swell some and also between my knuckles. What treatment did they do?

Leslie