[hutchibk]

I have been diagnosed with zero grade lymphedema in my right trunk and right arm. I have no swelling, but I did have aching, aching, aching. I found a lymphedema/wound care doctor here in Austin who I went to. She prescribed a month worth of lymph massage with a PT in the rehab clinic (2-3 x per week) and for me to be fitted with a Jobst 20/30 compression sleeve. It has been 7 weeks since I first went to her, and I am about 95% better. I learned that you don't have to have swelling for it to be lymphedema... aching can indicate the earliest occurance and even though it can't necessarily be cured or reversed, it can be easily managed. I learned how to do a degree of self massage to retrain and assist the lymph system on that side of my body and some helpful exercises that also help. I also learned to steer clear of high sodium in my daily diet as that can exascerbate it. Also, I learned that I need to try and not sleep on my right side at night as that ecourages fluid to collect on that side of my body and increases chance for swelling and pain... I wear my compression sleeve almost every day. I learned that it is not so much designed to keep swelling down as much as it is designed to put a light, consistent pressure on the top of the skin to assist the muscle underneath the lymph system act as a "pump" whenever the muscle flexes. The "pump" action assists the lymph system to flow more efficiently.

(I apologize for my novice attempt to explain the medical mechanics of what I learned... I didn't sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night... ha!)