Can anyone tell me if they have tried massage Leggings for Lymphedema and if it has helped. I have been recommended them but there are a few different makes. Any advice would be appreciated xx
FormerMember
Hi Fordy,
I have not even heard of massage leggings and have been going to my lymphoedema nurse now for 2 years. My leg is really swollen at the moment and could do with some extra help, I will mention these to her next time I see her. Who recommended them to you and where do you get them from.
My massage therapist said another client of hers had got some from America and said they were really good. They have small ripples in them and massage your leg as you move. They look like normal leggings so can be worn showing. I have seen a few different makes solidea have their own website and bioflect. Lymphodemaproducts.com and Amazon have them xx
thanks for that information, I am going to ask my nurse about these items but don't think they will be suitable for me. Any information I get I will pass back on to you. As you know this site is very quiet and don't think there are that many women who suffer with lymphoedema in their legs, even my nurse doesn't have many patients with leg problems, its mainly to do with arms. I am having so many problems at the moment getting shoes to fit and can only wear long skirts at the moment (only to hide the nasty looking compression tights I have to wear) as cant get trousers to fit top of my leg. I have tried normal leggings but bad leg sticks out like a sore thumb, or am I being too fussy? How do you cope with shoes/clothes etc.
I have lymphoedema in both legs and wear the strongest compression stockings. I also have open toe tights which I wear when I want a smoother line under my clothes but I don't really like feeling enclosed and squeezed into them. Are the leggings very different from the tights? If they are a lower compression I don't see how they could be as effective as the stockings or tights. I am advised to take a brisk walk every day as the leg muscle action works with the stockings to reduce the swelling - this seems to work for me as my legs look pretty normal now, as long as I wear the compression garments.
I have flesh coloured stockings to wear under light coloured clothes but I mostly wear black stockings as they just look like opaque black tights that anyone would wear. I suppose I could wear ordinary black tights over the flesh coloured stockings but that seems like a lot of layers. Initially I bought shoes a size bigger to accommodate my swollen feet but they are now back to my normal size. Thank goodness I didn't throw out all my shoes!
I would be interest to hear from anyone who has used the leggings.
I have the same problem and only wear long skirts or dresses. Have u tried bandaging at night I find that does help. I also massage for an hour a day. I visit a massage therapist twice a week for massages to, they are pricey but worth it. I bought a vibration plate to and find this helps. I try to walk d much as I can. My doctor has just referred me to the local sport center so I will be getting classes and swimming cheaper, anything is worse a try. I have had about 5 bouts of cellulitis in the last 3 months but hopefully on a good roll at the mo. I start back to work Mon after 6 months off. My friend who has lymphoedema in the arm is starting oscillation next week which I am very interested in. I will let u know how she gets on.
Ladies it is now just over ten years since my operation. I had radical O surgery and the cervix removed. I started about 18 months after my op with lymph in my legs. My legs became so heavy it felt like I was walking with a ball and chain attached to each leg. I only had a little swelling that showed and my GP at the time dismissed it as being lymph. Anyway to cut a long story short it would be about 2 years later and using a stick to walk with my new GP referred me to a lymph nurse. Usual process of measuring legs and advice given and came home. That night I came on this site to ask for info. It was a lady who 20 years before first started with lymph and the advice she gave me may be already aware off. First when putting stockings put talc on your legs and only wear them during the day. When you go to bed make sure your legs are free from talc and massage with e45 cream (available on prescription). Next is to think. When are my legs at their worse. During the day or when in bed. Some people find swelling after sleeping. Some after sitting. Some after shopping.its different with everybody but think about it. Some after even the cloths they wear. Posture plays a part in helping and even using a walking stick. I never sit in the chair at home I hug the settee with a small cushion under my feet so any lymph will trickle up my legs not down to my feet. I never sit for hours in a chair. I find the best way for me in bed is to sleep with my legs as straight as possible some. I tend to find for me to be on my stomach and my feet pointing downwards over the edge of the mattress. The other way is sleep on your back and to put books or cushions under the bottom part of your mattress to gently lift the feet. There is no cure and changes do not happen overnight. It takes time. We are all different in the degree of lymph that we have. Me possible about 3/4 years. I still get the odd bit in my legs. My body can cope with one infection okey but 2infections it lumps and bumps in the legs. Now ladies I love my skinny jeans. I know how my body works so put those feet up on the settee have a pen and paper and think what has caused the swelling today and how can I help myself and whatever you did don't do it again or only in moderation. Good luck to you all. There is no quick fix. Just think what have I done for the swelling to flair up again.
Another thought ladies. How does this lymph that is infected leave our bodies. Does it leave through our bladder?. I was left with a bladder that was like a leaking tap. I was offered a operation to put a mesh thing to support the bladder which I refused. It turns out my surgery damaged the nerve endings which control my bladder. I now take a tablet which controls my bladder which now empties when full and my lymph like I have said slowly went down.
Sorry I've just re read and seen you've put 3/4 years. I miss my skinny jeans and have bagged all my dresses and skirts I can't wear and put in attic xx
Yes it does time but I have picked up tips along the way from others. But there are things we can do for ourselves. We are all different in the way we tackle this. My cancer has been and I will not let it return.just like lymph I know well I think I know what triggers mine of. I have changed my lifestyle a lot and the most important thing for me going forward is to stay fit and well. It will settle down and eventually you will be back in your skinney jeans. You know some days at the beginning I was depressed when I had those horrible stockings on and a leaking bladder. Then a friend said think Pat what were you doing that made your legs swell up more than the day before. That's what I did. Yours might not take so long for your legs to go down. As for the bladder well let's see. First it was that net which I said no to and as it happened it would not of helped. Then it was pelvic muscle exercise. Impossible because of surgery. Then it was incontinence nurse. No way was I wearing what they gave me. The new GP sent me to see a gyncolgist and it was a miracle he new exactly what was wrong and now I take one table a day and no leaks. When I had my operation the nerve endings that are attached to my bladder were damaged so the single to the brain to go to empty the bladder was not working. Take one a day for the rest of my life. Now then take those skirt's and dresses back in your wardrobe go marks and Spencer they sell really good strong tights still use the stockings but we all need to feel good once in a while
