My 27 year old daughter has just been digaonosed with Lymphedema, she is morbitly obese weighing 519 3/4 lbs. she can barely walk and her right leg is almost completely black from where the skin has already died. We have no insurance and have been to so many doctors for help but no one can really help without us having no money . Two doctors said there is nothing anyone can do for her no more that the next thing is to remove the leg. Does anyone know of anything we can do like home remedies or something that can help her. We have looked into The LapBand operation but it costs $70,000 and of course we don't have athat kind of money if we did then we'd be able to see a specilist for her ANY information to us will be very appreciated thank you so much GREETINGS, Cindy
I'm Tina, owner of Lymphland International Support Group for lymphedema patients, therapists, parents, children, caregivers, doctors, ect.
It sounds like you are batting up against the wall like so many of us do, that's why I created Lymphland on yahoo groups and http://www.lymphland.com my website. Most every patient has come up against the same thing, "there's nothing we can do" when there is alot you can do.
The first thing, being that large, she probably can't work. Is she on disability of any kind? SSI, SSD? what about public assistance? She is eligible for public assistance that will come with some form of insurance, a managed care plan. They will help you/her apply for SSI or SSD, and with that comes other insurances such as medicare. The insurances will allow some form of doctors and treatment options.
The first thing she needs to do is be seen by someone who knows something about lymphedema, and that could be a vascular doctor, oncologist, podiatrist, surgeon, ect. There are lymphologist which are the true lymphedema specialists but they are hard to find, most of them teach in hospitals. I would need to know your state, town and how far you can travel like what other towns are around you to help you. The next step is getting a referral to a lymphedema therapist. They move the fluids manually through the body with their hands, teach you how to do that yourself, teach you special exercises to help promote lymph flow, skin brushing, and skin care. Probably if the skin is black then she will need some sort of surgical intervention to remove the dead tissues. The lymphedema therapist is specially trained, they do what is called complex/complete decongestive therapy which is the above. You wear wraps after each session and when they get you as small as possible you graduate to compression stockings.
Some of her weight is fluid, you'd be surprized at how much fluid people think is fat.
She needs a dietician or nutritionist too, but with the right care with lymphedema treatment, it makes a difference and she will feel better about herself and can start a diet program or exercising.
One other thing she needs and probably you do too, is a support center, support group to lead you in the right direction for her care.
Feel free to join my group, the button to join is on the first page of the Lymphland.com site. Hey,
i would be glad to help i wish i cud get u that money , but i am not that rich, sorry but i will try searching if i get any i will post
Good Luck
Wish ur daughter all the best and i bet she will get over her problems and take care Oh wow, first of all, ignore any rude comments you may get. :( And also, my heart goes out to you're family. And I think my jaw almost hit the floor when I read how much the lap band procedure costs.
Is you're daughter unemployed.. I'm guess she might be? If she is, cant she apply for medicaid (free health insurance) Or if she's on disability she would be eligible for that as well.
I dont know much about Lymph edema, but I think that if it doesn't cause weight gain the best thing for her to do is try and take some of that weight off, that will help, otherwise more problems are only going to come somewhere down the line eventually.
Maybe you could have some kind of fund raiser? You could take a collection in you're town or city and help raise the money needed? You'd be surprised how many people have good hearts and would be willing to help you're daughter out.
I am the same age as her, and I feel realy badly. I hope shes able to get the help needed.
Good luck with everything. :):) Is your daughter legally disabled? I know it's not a lot of fun to think about, but it may be a good idea to contact the Social Security Administration and see if she is eligible for Medicaid.
There are treatments for lymphedema that do not involve amputation-- that should be the absolute last resort.
You might also consider speaking with a Manual Lymphatic Drainage therapist. Hopefully you can find one that is willing to see your daughter on a sliding scale, or who is at least willing to teach you how to apply wraps to her legs. You won't be treating the underlying cause, but if you can save the leg, you'll be helping her so much in the long run.
My thoughts are with you and your daughter. i wouldnt listen to the doc who says to remove the leg.
for diet i think i would give her lots of fruits and veggies. avoid carbs and sugars. with self control and respect she can conquer anything.
the more you tell her to do this and that regarding her weight, the more defensive she can get and get worse. just be supportive. show her respect for herself and she will be on the road to better health.
make her visualize herself losing a good amount of weight. Try this regimen.
2 meals a day 3-4 hours apart consisting of only raw fruits and vegetables. Fruits at one meal and vegetables at another.
No meat, dairy or refined foods like white rice or white bread
Plenty of water 30 minutes before or 2 hours after you eat and not with meals as this will check the flow of saliva and production of digestive enzymes that help break down food.
If your body is dehydrated from insufficient water, it will hold on to the water it has and this can cause edema.
DO NOT EAT BETWEEN MEALS.
For the lymphatic system, echinacea augustifolia is herb that will help you. It is not harmful and does not cost as much as prescription medications.
Purchase some cayenne in capsules to help with your circulation of blood until you can do enough exercise to work the lymphatic system.
Try to walk each day, a little more each time. Even if it is just a few steps to begin with.
3 capsules 3 times a day is what I have taken without any harm.
Go to bed by 9:00 pm , 10:00 pm at the latest. The body heals itself during the resting hours.
Let's pray. Heavenly Father, please help your daughter to know how much you love her and care about her health. Give her strength to apply these simple remedies and bless her with good results.
Give her a desire to know more about the laws of health outlined in the Bible that she may be a blessing to others and herself. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Show N Tell my name is Annette and your daughter's story is mine all over again , I have lymphedema full body and also lipoedema . i am 44 ,morbitly obese . weighing 456 lbs . i was in a wheelchair for almost 2 year . there is hope and help out there . i would love to give you information on self massage, excercise and on how to start giving her , her life back . 2 months ago i started walking again and today i walk with only one cane . it can be done . please don't let them remove the leg not yet .
I am a manager of a support group on the internet lymphland@yahoogroups.com . We're a friendly bunch of patients, therapists, friends, and family who offer support on all levels for lymphedema and even other health conditions. Come to our chat room staffed each day. you can also contact me personally if you wish . annette@lymphland.com okay theres a doctor at loma linda university in california his name is doctor hilock i have lymphedema also and i'm going with amputation. he says my life will be normal again |
