Is there a doctor that treats lymph edema of the feet and legs AND if so, what kind of specialist is he under?

I have been to family doctor and so far he is failing in treatment.
I know, this is a hard thing to treat..... But I am trying to better myself so I can get around better. My feet and legs are very swelled but to add to the problem I also have been dianosed with rhueamatism also.
Went to a orthropedic doctor as well...... he took Xrays and tells me the lining in my knees is gone in one knee and almost gone in the other knee, but with my other conditions as. dietbetic and high blood pressure, if he operated now many things could go wrong with complications could set in ... healing.
But I love to see some doctor to treat this lymph edema. It would be a great help with relief of pain in my legs.
I have had lymph massage ....at a therapy center here connected with the hospital.. but to be honest I do not think they did it correctly.
But my big question is.....What is the name of specialist doctors that treat this, does anyone know ?
I live in the USA, in the state of OH.

Podiatrist? They deal with feet.

I would say see an endocrinologist also because you have diabetes.

Hi Carol, I'm Tina, owner of Lymphland.com and Lymphland Lymphedema Support Group. We have about 250 members and probably 95% of them have had the same problems you mention, trying to find a knowledgeable doctor and get help. I have a list of doctors and therapists on my support group site, you are welcome to join, we also have a chat room, therapists who are members, activists, etc.

probably with the rheumatism it is hard to wear compression or be wrapped, so learning the MLD (lymph massage therapy) is going to help you alot, along with seeing a certified lymphedema therapist, which works the whole body not just the legs, not sure if your therapist has done full body. The diabetes and blood pressure are complications that slow wound healing too. High blood pressure has been linked to lymphedema, your body is trying to circulate all that stagnant fluid but can't, and it works harder and harder so blood pressure can really be an issue for some of us.

operations are a concern for us, but many of us do have them done with success.

The doctor that should treat us is called a lymphologist, there are only a handful in the US, most of them are in India because of the parasitic lymphedema called filariasis. The ones in the US teach therapists and really don't see patients too much so we are stuck looking for other doctors. Most of us see podiatrists, gynocolgosts, rheumatologists, surgeons, oncologists, vascular doctors, sometimes orthopedic doctors, we just have to find someone that is knowledgeable to help us.

You would have to tell us how far you can travel, what part of Ohio you were from, etc for us to help you.

I invite you to join my group and we will see what we can do to find you a good doctor. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/lym... is my group. We have a chatroom that is open 7 days a week with a moderator present at the times on the schedule on the site page.

Tina