lymphoedema

[SandyBB]

I had severe lymphedema in my arm this past winter. A deep cat scratch, although treated with antibiotic ointment and a bandaged, caused my entire arm to swell painfully. It was six times larger than the right!!! I was referred to a registered/certified lymphedema specialist and had to go 5 days a week for therapy for two months- the massage is gentle - the reason being that the lymph vessels are delicate structures just slightly below the skin level. The delicate massage is not to necessarily move fluid, but to stimulate the lymph vessels to drain themselves without causing damage.
My arm was totally bandaged up like a mummy every day and only removed in the morning for my shower and then rewrapped after the massage by the therapist. It was no fun - it didn't really hurt, but my bandages were so bulky I couldn't even reach my nose to scratch it!
I was measured for custom compression sleeves and a Reid Sleeve (a clumsy device that can take the place of bandaging.) I wear a compression sleeve every day for the rest of my life, most likely - when I go without it, my arm starts to swell. I used to wear the Reid sleeve at night to bed, but am able to control the swelling with just the compression sleeve - except in really hot weather or if I have an arm trauma.
The key to managing lymphedema is to MANAGE it every day for the rest of your life... if you are not aggressive in preventing/reducing the swelling, it can become quite ugly.
BTW - one way to know if you have lymphedema is to press your thumb into the area - if a white indent remains in the skin once you remove the thumb - you got it.