Massage machines

Hi Nanny Anny, I had lymphoedema in my groin about the size of an orange and I went and had a drainage massage. The lady showed me what to do and I did it twice a day.  By the time I had my next check up (3 month) my consultant was surprised that it had completely gone.  I did pay to have this done privately and I thing it was about £35 definitely no more and it was worth every penny.  Hope this helps.

That sounds amazing. The nurse did tell me about lymphatic drainage, but not how to get it or where!! I wouldn't mind paying if it helped a bit.

I was lucky because I had been referred to another cancer charity, Helen Rollason and one of the ladies recommended someone and gave me her number. Try googling for you area but please check them out before going. Please let us know how you get on.

Thank you for sharing this. I'm quite interested in trying this as well. It just so happens that my lymohoedema is also in the left leg and foot. I will probably have a conversation both with my local specialist nurse and also the Lymohoedema Support Network helpline. Let's hope someone will feel able to share the story. 

I have to admit that  have not looked into this lymphatic drainage yet. The nurse prescribed thigh length stockings, which I am really struggling with. By the time I walk to the local supermarket and back it has slipped down to my knee!! I'm seeing the nurse again on Tuesday. I can't believe how few people are on this forum. It must be a fairly common problem.

Indeed Lymphoedema s a common problem. To keep the thigh length stockings up, I use something called 'skin glue' from a bran called Klebi.  Sometimes I get it from the specialist nurse, but sometimes I buy a bit extra myself, from the company that supplies my garments (Haddenham Healthcare. I completely get where you're coming from. There's a very good free forum specific to all things Lymphoedema. It's run by the Lymphoedema support network, LSN. That forum is on a site called 'Health Unlocked. 

Thanks for that information. The first doctor I saw gave me information about a  site, but when I looked into it you had to pay £20 to join. I was loathe to do that unless I could guarantee some benefit!!

Hi NannyAnny 

I hope you’re well? I’m guessing you’re referring to the Lymphoedema Support Network? I get what you’re saying about needing to see the benefits. Wondering what you have decided to do? 

Take care,

MrsD

Hi,

Yes, I joined the site and read a lot about people exercising, which inspired me. 

I discovered that if I gathered the top of the stocking and pinned it, it kept up.  The nurse ordered a tighter top for me and yesterday I walked 3 miles over ploughed fields and the stocking stayed up. The nurse is ringing me next Tuesday to see how I am doing. The whole leg seems thinner than when I had the knee highs. I also used to get knee ache, which seems to have stopped. She thought the leg was holding onto a lot of fluid, and the stocking was digging into the back of my knee. Goodness knows what it was pressing on. 

The only down side is that she could only get black stockings in the size I need which is fine in winter. Not sure I fancy cut offs with a black stocking in the summer!!!!