What treatments do you find most effective for lymphedema?

Posted by kit75 @kit75, 5 days ago

I was diagnosed with lower extremity lymphedema earlier this year. First I was wearing compression, and then was treated by a lymphedema therapist who did manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) and wrapping with short-stretch bandages. The therapist gave me some exercises (including belly breathing) to do and told me to stay hydrated and wear my circular-knit compression stockings except when sleeping at night. Then a pneumatic pump was ordered and I use it.

I know there are other possible treatments - dry brushing, flat-knit garments, night-time garments, pool exercises, diet, weight loss, re-bounder (trampoline), vibration plate, kinesiology tape, red light therapy, surgery and more.

As we know, daily at home treatments take time, so I want to know what people find most effective to minimize the swelling? Are there other treatments that may be more effective? Which ones do people find less effective (and not worth the time)?

Thank you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lymphedema Support Group.

ftknoxco1660 | @ftknoxco1660 | Jul 22 6:23pm

What treatments work for lymphedema?Treatment &/or cure

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 22 7:22pm

In reply to @ftknoxco1660 "What treatments work for lymphedema?Treatment &/or cure" + (show)

Welcome @ftknoxco1660, There's no cure for lymphedema. Treatment focuses on reducing the swelling and preventing complications - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lymphedema/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374687.

I was diagnosed 5 or so years ago and wear compression socks to control the swelling during the day. Have you been diagnosed with lymphedema?

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | 4 days ago

@kit75, great question to throw out to the group. I'm tagging fellow lymphedema members to share what has worked for them, like @catelynn @marysuezq22 @lizbobro @meli58 @terirosendale @informationplease @sparkles111 @angelmay @lucylaughs @healthman @ronasullivan7 @lilypilly @mmzvav @amaimbourg @barbieken @jsm789 @sarahmarie858 @carolk1967 @niml @sophie01 @shelmont88 @theblondielou @ameb71 @juno222 @johnbishop @sandy8043 @callieriz7 @oldnavycomputertech @kobe2026 @quilter69. @ftknoxco1660 asked a similar question, which I moved here along with @johnbishop's reply.

@kit75, you're so right that managing lymphedema takes time and consistent care. Are the exercises working for you and what keeps you consistent?

carolk1967 | @carolk1967 | 4 days ago

So far I haven’t been successful at reducing my lymphedema swelling, but I do use a compression therapy suit almost daily. That at least keeps the swelling from getting worse. I recently ordered a mini trampoline. I’ve read jumping on those helps the lymphatic flow. So, I’m hoping it works!

niml | @niml | 4 days ago

So far I'm doing manual drainage massage three times a week and I am currently doing physical therapy with massages and exercises to keep my neck not so stiff. It has helped a little bit for now so I keep going . I also bought a red light therapy thing for my neck not sure if that will do anything or not. So in other words I'm just trying a variety of things and I'm not sure of the outcome yet.

kobe2026 | @kobe2026 | 4 days ago

In reply to @ftknoxco1660 "What treatments work for lymphedema?Treatment &/or cure" + (show)

On my latest PET SCAN , thru the pelvic region my CLL/SLL IS back which is affecting my edema causing leg heaviness , swelling on tops of feet, ankles swelling.
For me a future problem since I HAD A DVT IN 85

theblondielou | @theblondielou | 4 days ago

In reply to @colleenyoung "@kit75, great question to throw out to the group. I'm tagging fellow lymphedema members to share..." + (show)

My right leg was over 3" larger than my left leg. The first 4 days the leg was agony when I put weight on it necessitating a cane. About 3-4 wks later, with daily elevating and wearing compression braces, my right leg is only about 3/4" of an inch bigger. I can still feel a harder mass but it is much smaller. I also soak my whole body in hot epsom salts in a soaking tub w/4 jets and elevate after the bath. I don't know if it would have improved on its own...I don't know.

kit75 | @kit75 | 4 days ago

In reply to @colleenyoung "@kit75, great question to throw out to the group. I'm tagging fellow lymphedema members to share..." + (show)

Thank you Colleen for adding additional users to the post.

Yes, I do find walking and the exercises provided by my therapist help with lymphedema management. I am not sure if the exercises reduce the swelling, but when I don't do the exercises, I feel worse.

kit75 | @kit75 | 4 days ago

In reply to @carolk1967 "So far I haven’t been successful at reducing my lymphedema swelling, but I do use a..." + (show)

carolk1967,

I have not heard the term "compression therapy suit" you mentioned. Is it also know as a pneumatic compression pump that has multiple chambers that pumps air to compress your limb in sequence?

I don't know what research you may have done on trampoline benefits.

A Study To Assess The Effectiveness Of Rebounding Exercise On Lymphedema
https://ijptr.net/a-study-to-assess-the-effectiveness-of-rebounding-exercise-on-lymphedema-shailendra-mehta/
Why NASA Studies Rebounding For Lymphatic Health
https://reboundingpro.com/nasa-lymphatic-system-rebounding-research/
I hope it helps. Please report back and let us know how it works after some use.

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