Lymphedema in my leg: Any idea how to get the swelling down?

Hi, Candy.
After I had a stroke, I had swelling on my affected side.

I was told to keep the leg elevated when sitting, exercise the leg as much as possible, limit my salt intake, and sleep with a pillow or pad under my legs.

That helped a lot. Exercise was an especially good thing, as it also helped strengthen my legs.

Have you tried any of that?

Good luck!

swt1candy,
There are lymphatic massage specialist through physical therapy, but I haven't seen it effective on anyone. Someone had the question here in 2023.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/has-anyone-had-success-reducing-ankle-swelling/
and there is a surgery
https://umiamihealth.org/treatments-and-services/university-of-miami-lymphatic-program/lymphedema-surgery
best wishes

@swt1candy
My understanding is elevation of your leg, special massage to drain lymph fluid, compression garments, low salt diet, drinking plenty of water, and exercise is best to help this condition.

Hello Candy @swt1candy, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with the other members who have offered some helpful suggestions. I also have lymphedema in both legs with my right leg being slight worse with the swelling. I was prescribed 20 to 30 mmhg compression socks to wear during the day to help with the swelling. In addition to the compression socks, I also use some of the other suggestions others have mentioned like eliminating adding salt to food, drinking a lot more water, daily exercise of some sort and raising the foot end of my bed to elevate my legs when I sleep. The last one is an easy fix since you can fold a heavy blanket and put it under your mattress at the bottom end of the bed.

Has your doctor who diagnosed you with lymphedema suggested any treatments to help with the swelling?

@swt1candy Let me add my welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! Like others here, my legs swell from time to time, and I have tried several remedies mentioned. Getting out to walk, even a little bit, certainly helps, and it brightens my mood. My kidney doctor has prescribed me a diuretic called Torsemide, which helps. As @gently and @dlydailyhope commented, there is lymphatic massage, which I tried and it works for me. The gal even showed me how to do it myself!

How are you feeling today? If the weather outside is not nice enough to walk, can you march around your house and get some movement in?
Ginger

I take River Water classes 2 times per week and Water Aerobics 3 times a week; withthe buoyancy, I can bend my legs and it feels great.

Get doctor to prescribe velcro compressin wraps NOT compression socks. I don't know your age but medicare covers compression wraps. Check with your insurance company. I also use a compression pump also a prescription. I have lymphedema in both legs and thighs. I believe from taking statins specifically Crestor.
I keep feet elevated at all times when sitting.
I also go for lymphedema massage therapy.
I also do exercises in a pool and exercises at physical therapy for stretching and strength.

I tried most of the brands of compression hose. The most effective have been the 30-40mg Medi-Plus. My foot and ankle still swell by the end of the day, but at least I can get my shoes on in the morning. I massage my lower extremity by hand rather than a machine.

I went through a PT at Kaiser and tried a custom compression garment that zipped up. It did little to keep swelling out of lower extremity. I don’t know if they measured me incorrectly or what, but it was $100 down the drain (my cost after $400 covered by Medicare). I’m considering wraps like from CircAid.

elsbeth.
I tried lymphatic massage. It didn't help me; others here have had success. On my one visit to osteostrong. They put me in one of those compression pump garments that alternated legs but went all the way up to my waist. Then they forgot about me for over an hour ( I would have stayed the rest of the day). It worked for me, but I still haven't purchased one. https://www.lymphapress.com/products/lympha-pod

After my stroke, it was like my brain forgot I have a right leg.
I found that sleeping with my legs elevated about 3 - 4 inches and putting a weighted blanket covering my lower legs helps a lot.
That helps me sleep better, too.