After broken leg I was diagnosed with Lymphedema.
The pain is difficult to work around.
As stated, I have no history of cancer and all the information I found on internet was linked to cancer.
I am looking for information on treatments and prognosis.
Will I always feel so incapacitated?
All this is scrambling my few remaining brain cells.
God! I don't want this. Sorry to hear about your illness.
Since lyphedema can't be cured, The goal with treatment is to control the pain and minimize swelling. Usually conservative but strict treatment is effective.
First, hygiene is important to remove debris and bacteria. Cleanse your skin regularly and dry it thoroughly. Be sure to inspect your skin on a regular basis to identify any open wounds to prevent cellulitis. Try using a bland skin moisturizer conservatively to help reduce cracking and furrowing.
Maintain a healthy weight, avoid any kind of trauma, and avoid tight clothing. If possible, elevate the limbs that are effected, especially at night.
Try some light exercises that require you to move your affected limbs. Make sure that they are not strenuous or tiring; they should focus on gentle contraction of the muscles in your arm or leg. Your doctor or a physical therapist can teach you exercises that may help.
Try wrapping your entire limb in bandages. Start by making the bandage tightest around your fingers and toes. Wrap the bandage more loosely as you move up your arm or leg. A lymphedema therapist can show you how to do this properly.
There is also a special massage technique called manual lymph drainage which involves special hand strokes on your affected limb to move lymph fluid to healthy lymph nodes, where it can drain. Talk to your doctor before attempting this therapy, though, since it is not for everyone.
Two other treatments involve wearing special clothing items to compress your limbs. One is called pneumatic compression. You wear a sleeve over your affected arm or leg connected to a pump that inflates the sleeve to put pressure on your limb. The inflated sleeve gently moves lymph fluid away from your fingers or toes, reducing the swelling. Another is called a compression garment, which is a long sleeve or stocking which compresses your arm or leg. This treatment is a good option for patients who have already reduced swelling with other treatments and need to prevent it from occuring again.
In terms of prognosis: this is a lifelong condition but based on the severity it can be managed using the treatments I described. Surgery can be used in severe cases, but it will not cure the condition and some patients require a number of operations throughout their lifetime as part of the management of the condition. If you strictly follow your treatment guidelines and take care of the affected limb(s)
you can manage the condition as best as possible.
Also, you mentioned cancer. There really is no link between lymphedema and lymphoma or any other kind of cancer, so try not to worry about that. Good luck. I would concidering going the all natural route. Start a healthy diet and drinks a lot of water, no alcohol, caffiene, or soda. I would also eat only organic food because of all the pesticides they are using on all the others. Organics do not use pesticides. Put anything in your mouth that is healthy. You probably need to do some soul searching too while you are in recover. Get rid of all the guilt, grief, hatred, jealously, ect. out of your mind body and soul. This will help you heal faster. Positive thoughts create certain chemicals in our bodies that actually BOOST your immune system. The chinese have done many studies on this. Good Luck! I did some poking around and I don't have any good news for you. It appears to be both debilitating and progressive.
The search page is settled on is listed below. Please take a look at two or three of the sites, one does mention something about management so it might be a good place to start.
Best wishes too you. I really hope this helps. I have diabetes and the associated neuropothy. Mine is no fun and from what I have seen it is a walk in the park compared to your situation. Drop me a line now and then and let me know how things are going. Good luck. Lymphedema is not Lymphoma! So relax, ok? You don't have cancer. You do have a bad disease, but you can deal. There is lots of support out there in the internet. You should hook up with some people who are already dealing with this, and they can tell you what to do, and how to get through it. You will get through it. This is tough a tough break love .
Firstly I got some info from the net, on what Lymphedema is for you.
What is lymphedema?
"Lymphedema occurs when lymphatic fluid builds up in the soft tissues of your body, usually in an arm or leg.
The lymphatic system consists of lymph vessels and lymph nodes that run through your body. Lymph vessels collect a fluid that is made up of protein, water, fats, and wastes from the cells of the body.
Lymph vessels carry this fluid to your lymph nodes. Lymph nodes filter waste materials and foreign products, and then return the fluid to your blood.
If your vessels or nodes become damaged or are missing, the lymph fluid cannot move freely through the system. The fluids can then build up and cause swelling in the affected arms or legs.
Acquired lymphedema or secondary lymphedema, in which an injury to your lymphatic system causes lymphedema. It is much more common than primary lymphedema."
The lymph nodes in your leg were probably damaged when you broke your leg or during the setting process.
Have you had another xray since you were diagnosed. I've heard somewhere that fluid can build up around a break and that is extremely painful.
Try not panic about the lymphedema thing at this time.
See your Dr and ask for further xrays on your leg to be sure there is no problem with the healing there.
If it does come about that the diagnosos is right then you may need to get in touch with supprt groups - they are around.
I just did a search on "lymphedema support groups" and there are quite a few on the net.
There are treatments available - but what is your Doctor doing to help you. Has your doctor suggested physio, massage, or anything at all?
It is easy to say "try not stress out over this" but stressing only makes it worse.
Good luck with it all love. |
