Lymphedema in legs

Just wanted to give an update on the lymphedema...

Sigh, I feel like I'm back in the Navy...hurry up and wait, hurry up and wait...I have never had a lot of patience so maybe this is part of my life's experience training to give me more patience. This is week two after all my tests were ordered through vascular medicine and I now have an appointment for July 9th to go over the results. Since the vascular related tests showed no super serious stuff I'm assuming my treatment for the lymphedema is going to be compression socks. I have bought 2 pairs of calf high 15 to 20 mm toe less compression socks with side zipper that I've been using for about a week now. They are fairly easy to get on and off and seem to be helping with the daytime swelling of the leg. I may have to get different ones after I have my consultation with the doctor on the 9th.

He requested an appointment with Sleep Medicine after my abnormal sleep study results but I don't have an appointment yet. He also had requested a followup appointment with Orthopedics after that knee x-ray but it's not looking good for an appointment anytime soon which is a big concern for me now as it's getting harder each day to put any weight on my right leg due to the knee. I switched my exercise bike to elliptical mode because it's less bending for the knee and probably better exercise for me. I have been trying to do 10 to 15 minutes in the morning and in the evening but haven't been getting it done too often in the evening. I think this exercise helps build the leg strength as long as the knee doesn't hurt doing the motions.

Kind of reminds me of the song Patience by Guns N' Roses
-- https://genius.com/Guns-n-roses-patience-lyrics

So I'm hoping for a little patience for all my friends that are in waiting mode including me☺

John

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Just wanted to give an update on the lymphedema...

Sigh, I feel like I'm back in the Navy...hurry up and wait, hurry up and wait...I have never had a lot of patience so maybe this is part of my life's experience training to give me more patience. This is week two after all my tests were ordered through vascular medicine and I now have an appointment for July 9th to go over the results. Since the vascular related tests showed no super serious stuff I'm assuming my treatment for the lymphedema is going to be compression socks. I have bought 2 pairs of calf high 15 to 20 mm toe less compression socks with side zipper that I've been using for about a week now. They are fairly easy to get on and off and seem to be helping with the daytime swelling of the leg. I may have to get different ones after I have my consultation with the doctor on the 9th.

He requested an appointment with Sleep Medicine after my abnormal sleep study results but I don't have an appointment yet. He also had requested a followup appointment with Orthopedics after that knee x-ray but it's not looking good for an appointment anytime soon which is a big concern for me now as it's getting harder each day to put any weight on my right leg due to the knee. I switched my exercise bike to elliptical mode because it's less bending for the knee and probably better exercise for me. I have been trying to do 10 to 15 minutes in the morning and in the evening but haven't been getting it done too often in the evening. I think this exercise helps build the leg strength as long as the knee doesn't hurt doing the motions.

Kind of reminds me of the song Patience by Guns N' Roses
-- https://genius.com/Guns-n-roses-patience-lyrics

So I'm hoping for a little patience for all my friends that are in waiting mode including me☺

John

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Under the Live & Learn Category -- after my initial appointment with the Lymphedema specialist who examined me and setup some additional tests including my right knee X-ray the doctor suggested compression socks would probably be the answer. We discussed different kinds and the difficulty of putting them on. He gave me a script to take to the Mayo store in the lower level. The lady gave me some different brand names and suggestions and said I could get them cheaper online since they didn't have the one the doctor discussed...and the script he printed out of Epic was for compression panty hose ☺ Search I did when I got home and found toe less compression socks with side zippers. I ordered two pairs and wore them faithfully all day long for 2 weeks.

Then last week my right foot started aching a little around the toes so last Thursday I stopped wearing them and my foot kept getting worse. I was at a pain level 8+ trying to walk and put pressure on the right foot. Then I realized I had gout in my big toe. Couldn't stand to touch the skin on the top or side of the toe. This morning I went to the local drug store and bought a reusable gel cold pack, took an ibuprofen and now this afternoon most of the pain has subsided but it's still tender. So the moral of my story is no more toe less compression socks. I have my follow up appointment on the July 9th to go over all the test results for the lymphedema and what the recommendations are for treatment. Still waiting for an appointment for the knee which I'm hoping will be soon.

Have a Happy and safe 4th of July!

John

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Under the Live & Learn Category -- after my initial appointment with the Lymphedema specialist who examined me and setup some additional tests including my right knee X-ray the doctor suggested compression socks would probably be the answer. We discussed different kinds and the difficulty of putting them on. He gave me a script to take to the Mayo store in the lower level. The lady gave me some different brand names and suggestions and said I could get them cheaper online since they didn't have the one the doctor discussed...and the script he printed out of Epic was for compression panty hose ☺ Search I did when I got home and found toe less compression socks with side zippers. I ordered two pairs and wore them faithfully all day long for 2 weeks.

Then last week my right foot started aching a little around the toes so last Thursday I stopped wearing them and my foot kept getting worse. I was at a pain level 8+ trying to walk and put pressure on the right foot. Then I realized I had gout in my big toe. Couldn't stand to touch the skin on the top or side of the toe. This morning I went to the local drug store and bought a reusable gel cold pack, took an ibuprofen and now this afternoon most of the pain has subsided but it's still tender. So the moral of my story is no more toe less compression socks. I have my follow up appointment on the July 9th to go over all the test results for the lymphedema and what the recommendations are for treatment. Still waiting for an appointment for the knee which I'm hoping will be soon.

Have a Happy and safe 4th of July!

John

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Just had to post an update on my new hubcaps...well they do cover my wheels ☺ Did I tell you I hate compression socks even more now. The two pair of toe less side zippered ones I bought on my own were 15 to 20 mm compression and I thought that was tight on my feet & legs. After wearing the new 20 mm to 30 mm compression socks the rest of the day Monday I thought I was going to have to cut them off with the scissors. But I'm really cheap and the socks were $80 (psst...I'm not buying them again at the Mayo Store). I'm on day 3 of wearing them and I really think they are doing the job as my right leg would normally be quite large between the knee and the ankle by mid morning. So I'm hoping the socks are not a forever thing but it is what it is.

Happy Wednesday!
John

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Just had to post an update on my new hubcaps...well they do cover my wheels ☺ Did I tell you I hate compression socks even more now. The two pair of toe less side zippered ones I bought on my own were 15 to 20 mm compression and I thought that was tight on my feet & legs. After wearing the new 20 mm to 30 mm compression socks the rest of the day Monday I thought I was going to have to cut them off with the scissors. But I'm really cheap and the socks were $80 (psst...I'm not buying them again at the Mayo Store). I'm on day 3 of wearing them and I really think they are doing the job as my right leg would normally be quite large between the knee and the ankle by mid morning. So I'm hoping the socks are not a forever thing but it is what it is.

Happy Wednesday!
John

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