I have recently been diagnosed with Lymphoedema. I am attending the physio at my local hospital. She has given me exercises and lovely lymphoedema garments to wear on my arm. There are times when I am fine and then there are times when I do not feel as good. I have been told that it is long term. To date the swelling has gone down slightly.
FormerMember
Hi Henryed and welcome to my world!! Unfortunately, I have lymphoedema in my leg, which is a bit difficult to keep elevated! You'll find that your arm should continue to go down, my legs are the same size again now, but I'll have to continue to wear the oh so sexy compression garment for ever... woopdidoo! I've been told that I can leave it off for a couple of hours now and again, but to be honest, I wouldn't want to, although unsightly it does do the trick, keeps the swelling at bay and reduces the pain.
My lymphoedema nurse says "as if cancer wasn't enough" and boy is she right!
Hello Henryed, I am just beginning this part of the journey and awaiting referral to the Lymphoedema clinic. I had 3 lymphnodes removed from my groin back in October and am having problems with my foot resembling a sausage about to burst its skin and that leg bigger than the other one! The only shoes I can get on are size 9 Croc's, not the best of footwear in this weather and doesn't go with my party outfits lol! I thought I might have had this problem if they had ALL been removed so this has been a bit of an unpleasant surprise to say the least.
It's possible to develop lymphoedema any time after surgery to clear lymph nodes, it can come on straight away, as mine did, or develop over the years. It can also be caused by a later trauma to your arm. And it doesn't even need to be much of a trauma, a bite, scratch or sting could be enough to do it. With lymphodema that same small scratch could be deadly, the lymphatic fluid that doesn't drain is like a smorgasbord for bacteria, causing it to multiply rapidly which can lead to cellulitis or even septicaemia. Good management of the limb is the key, keep the skin supple, keep it covered in summer to avoid bites and sunburn, wear gloves if gardening and don't wet shave your armpit!!
And if you do find your limb starting to swell ask for a referral to a lymphoedema nurse pdq the earlier it can be halted in its tracks the better!
