Lymphedema in legs

Hi @gigi1961, some time has passed since you first posted about your lymphedema diagnosis. How are you doing now? Have you been able to find any relief or any answers on how to proceed forward?

Hi, I will try to sum this up quickly so as not to bore you with my story.In 2020 I had the 4 quadrants of my neuropathy stricken legs treated by venous ablation. They managed to cauterize less than what I thought. I still had some swelling and heaviness in my left leg especially. So when I moved to Little Rock, AR and I began Lymphedema therapy. I had specially measured Velcro wraps for my legs. I had been doing great at watching out for anything that may come up on my trunk section or my limbs. Months went by and once again I could see my legs as they truly are. After that I had to have surgery and while I was recovering from Rotator cuff surgery I was in the shower and fell. I got up the best that I could (one armed). No broken bones. I had a Lymphedema Exacerbation and it began all over again. I was in the hospital almost 3 weeks! I was only expected to have day surgery. I happen to have a hiatal hernia that affected my diaphragm. So when I was under anesthesia and woke up in recovery… I panicked and had to be restrained. My breathing was affected by the diaphragm malfunction. I could not exhale so the old oxygen couldn’t be expelled. Causing me to go in to a panic and then restrained. It was a very traumatic experience. I still have not been able to clearly remember that but of time.

All good comment's.
There are a variety of donning aids for he compression stockings, use the one that works for you.
The one you use depends upon weather you have open toe or closed toe.
( switched to open toe recently, they go on more easily (Sigvaris come with a donning aid. The open toe take a bit of getting used to.)
I used the pneumatic machine for a couple of years, and no longer need it.
I find that the "self massage" is helpful for the management of lymphedema. My second therapist taught me how, and gave me the print out to back up the lesson.
I sleep with my legs elevated, and find that they appear normal in the morning; this give me a great start, although the do swell to a degree daring the day.

Good luck.

Check into whether there is a Lymphedema Clinic near you. Trained OT/PT’s can treat this condition. Manual drainage massage, compression bandaging leading to being fitted for compression stockings. They also use a lymph pump on both legs to move the fluid.

So sorry for your frustration with getting local help in treating your lymphedema. I live on Florida’s east coast. Fortunately my primary care doc diagnosed me with lower legs lymphedema. I was referred to Space Coast Lymphedema Clinic in Viera, Florida. It was only 1/2 hour from my home. That was helpful when I was going 2-3 times a week. Documentation including measuring my legs before and after using the Lymphapress. After a few months my insurance approved the purchase of a pump with two thigh high boots. I now use the pump after dinner each night for an hour. In the morning, after showering I put on the thigh high open toe compression stocking. Those two things have kept the swelling of the lower extremities at bay.

All of the earlier replies are great.
If al all possible, I suggest regular exercise to aid in the treatment of your lymphedema.
Walking may be too difficult, but it may be possible to do floor exercises, or aerobic on a stationary bike.
Compression stocking can be tricky:
the compression (usually in your apparent situation 20/30 would be a correct, but no higher without your doctor's approval). there are a number of accessories to help in putting on these stockings with buying the zippered kind. there are special gloves (only about $8.00) from Sigvaris, and if you put your hand on the inside to the beginning of the heel and invert the socks, grabbing the sock at the heel they are easy to put on, here is a utube link:

Good luck.

Maybe because received radiation as a child for unknown reason.

Have you ever suffered from gout?

Your doctor should specify the amount of compression in the socks: 10/15/ 20/30, or 40.
The compression stockings "do not blow up, the are "graduated" for the top to bottom or visa versa.
What "blows up" is a pneumatic machine with sleeves that is available to alleviate some of the issues, but nothing cure the condition.
Both the machine and the stockings are a great aid.
With a prescription, the government will pay for the unit.

Yes with a Doctor's script.
My unit is from Tactile Medical.