Lymphedema in legs

Hello @galva54, Welcome to Connect. Sorry to hear that you are having difficulty getting the service connected disability. Have you thought about getting help from a VA accredited representative to help you manage the process? More info here - https://www.va.gov/get-help-from-accredited-representative/.

I was in boot camp for USMC (United States Marine Corps). While I was in there I developed my left ankle gotten swollen. But before that I fallen in the showers and hurt my back and sent me to hospital and they said that I have inguinal hernia and was be admitted to hospital on May 16th 1974 and on May 17th 1974 have surgery done. On May 11th 1974 my left ankle gotten swollen and sent the hospital and admitted on May 11th to 24th 1974. On the 23rd of May 1974. They wanted to do inguinal hernia operation and I refused operation for inguinal hernia and asked them what that has to do with left swollen ankle and they said that I have inguinal hernia. So I was discharged on June 6th 1974. I came home with left swollen ankle. So I my private doctor and didn't know. But in 1977 I was diagnosis with lymphedema at Seattle WA Va medical center. It gotten worse with getting cellulitis infections and 1985 I got my left amputated above the knee. I still get cellulitis once in awhile. Today I have never had inguinal hernia. I was misdiagnosed. I have been trying to get service connected disability for the last 54 years.

@colleenyoung

If they have'nt already, someone needs to come up with a device that's padded and starts at your ankles and moves up towards your knee and work any fluids back up towards your heart. Awhile back I had a series of 3 endovenous chemical ablation treatments for CVI in my left leg. After the last one my PCP said continued wearing compression stockings was optional. After about 10 days of no more stockings, I noticed my left leg was visually larger than my right leg. So I started wearing the stockings again. Seems like the few extra pounds I put on might be the extra fluid in my left leg.

@perry1, Lymphedema can be an isolating condition for sure. I'm glad to hear you are ready to fight it again. There are a couple of resources you might find helpful for learning more about research and treatments.

-- Lymphatic Education & Research Network: https://lymphaticnetwork.org/living-with-lymphedema/resource-downloads
-- National Lymphedema Network Video Library: https://lymphnet.org/page/community-video-library

So far I've been able to control the lymphedema in my legs with compression socks. Is your lymphedema in your legs or other parts of your body?

thank you. any recent information on lymphedema? gave up for 5 years ready to fight again. such an isolating condition. Thank you for any help you can give me.

@colleenyoung I talked to my physician and he referred me to a lymphedema physical therapist and I will follow up and get my appointment scheduled. Since I stated this in 2024, its the most help. All I have been told is to elevate, compression socks. I’m very active and I don’t think the physician understand motion is medicine. Thank you

@peterbose, I hope you saw the helpful reply from @ffr.

Peter, you might ask at your cancer center for a referral to a lymphedema therapist or OT. Therapists trained in manual lymph drainage use a massage technique with very light pressure to move the trapped fluid in the swollen limb toward an area with working lymph vessels.

Keep the swollen limb elevated as much as possible and protect your skin from injury. The swelling from lymphedema might dull pain from an injury or burn, so don't use heating pads on the affected limb. Moisturize your skin daily.

I developed lymphedema after gyn cancer surgeries. Oncologist gave me a referral for OT. You need that referral to get the care. I was classified as Late Stage 1. Massage therapy was part of the treatment, which I’m supposed to do at home but….
I wear a full leg (foot to thigh) compression stocking which does help to keep the lymphedema in check. I do not sit with my leg elevated.

I’m very new with dealing with Lymphedema: I was diagnosed with Prostate cancer in 2024, grade 4 with a gleason score of 8: I had surgery to remove the prostate and 25 lymph nodes. In that time I have had three edema swelling, I talked to my physician, all he offers is compression sock, elevate and water pills ( one of the things I have read is water pills can make it worse ). The problem is I am very active. Sitting with my leg elevated for hours just doesn't work. I have read a lot and found new exercises and better ways of eating. Are their resources I can contact on my own to have someone show me self care? Two thing to know: 1: I don’t have a bad case of lymphedema and I’m very proactive, I don’t want this getting worse. 2: I had a torn meniscus in my knee repaired and the swelling is not help the healing. Can anyone help out?

My doctor put me on a heavy dose of water tablets and to my relief my legs are back to normal.