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Topic: RE: Before and After pics of legs
I met a guy at my OT''s office who went undiagnosed for 5 years because he's actually thin and when he complained about the swelling/added weight he was told it's nothing to worry about he was just thin to begin with a little extra weight does him good. Can't win either way I guess...
I have Lipedema and Lymphedema. I also have a passion for Obesity and Health Insurance Advocacy.
Blog: born2lbfat.com Facebook: Born2lbFat Twitter: @born2lbfat
Topic: RE: Before and After pics of legs
Wow Sarah - that's an amazing change. I read your post on R&R and was shocked that your docs didn't investigate the LE for such a long time... putting all down to obesity.
My own LE is extremely mild in comparison to yours... but it took 3 PCPs before a nurse practitioner at the last doc's practice did more than prescribe diuretics for me... even the Venous specialist I saw knew nothing about LE... just said there was no vascular reason for my leg swelling.
Scary sometimes how much the medical profession doesn't know.
My own LE is extremely mild in comparison to yours... but it took 3 PCPs before a nurse practitioner at the last doc's practice did more than prescribe diuretics for me... even the Venous specialist I saw knew nothing about LE... just said there was no vascular reason for my leg swelling.
Scary sometimes how much the medical profession doesn't know.
Topic: RE: Educate me, please
Edema (swelling) can be caused by a pretty wide range of things - from diet (too much salt) to excess weight, to circulation (venous) problems or from lymphatic problems - or a combination of these things (among other stuff).
If yours was caused by a clot then I would think it's probably vascular. When I was going through the process of elimination to determine what was causing my edema, I was basically told to hope it was vascular, because there was the possibility it was "curable" - as opposed to lymphatic edema which would not be (treatable... but not curable). Unfortunately, mine is lymphatic.
Mine isn't horribly severe (comparatively) - the swelling goes down overnight because I'm off my feet and the lymph system can move the fluid around more easily when I'm horizontal.
However, in your position, whatever else you do, I would look into getting at least mild compression socks/stockings - they really do help with the swelling, and keeping the swelling down should help minimize the possibility of the breakdown of your skin over time (it's not built to swell/deflate/swell/deflate and over time you can end up with ulcerated skin). You should also moisturize your feet/legs daily... weirdly enough, edema actually dehydrates the skin, leaving it flaky and more prone to skin problems.
The good news... my edema has improved a lot with my weight loss. I can actually buy "normal" shoes I can wear now. So there's a possibility yours will improve with weight loss too.
Good luck!
If yours was caused by a clot then I would think it's probably vascular. When I was going through the process of elimination to determine what was causing my edema, I was basically told to hope it was vascular, because there was the possibility it was "curable" - as opposed to lymphatic edema which would not be (treatable... but not curable). Unfortunately, mine is lymphatic.
Mine isn't horribly severe (comparatively) - the swelling goes down overnight because I'm off my feet and the lymph system can move the fluid around more easily when I'm horizontal.
However, in your position, whatever else you do, I would look into getting at least mild compression socks/stockings - they really do help with the swelling, and keeping the swelling down should help minimize the possibility of the breakdown of your skin over time (it's not built to swell/deflate/swell/deflate and over time you can end up with ulcerated skin). You should also moisturize your feet/legs daily... weirdly enough, edema actually dehydrates the skin, leaving it flaky and more prone to skin problems.
The good news... my edema has improved a lot with my weight loss. I can actually buy "normal" shoes I can wear now. So there's a possibility yours will improve with weight loss too.
Good luck!
Topic: RE: LYMPHEDEMA PUMPS
I have know of someone who uses a lymphedema pump as part of a multi treatment for lymphedema. They work by putting pressure on the swollen arm or leg and squuezing the fluid out of the area. I beleive that they have to be used every day and are very expensive.
This article goes into more detail about what lymphedema pumps are http://www.lymphedemaadvice.com/lymphedema-pumps/
You need to know if you really need them as the cost is very high. Read up about them before you make a decision
This article goes into more detail about what lymphedema pumps are http://www.lymphedemaadvice.com/lymphedema-pumps/
You need to know if you really need them as the cost is very high. Read up about them before you make a decision
Topic: RE: Help...
Hey there
Give her this site - I am sure there are others out there but this one has helped me so much!
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/
Cathy
Give her this site - I am sure there are others out there but this one has helped me so much!
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/
Cathy
Info Session at Toronto Western Apr 12/10
Nurse, Social Worker & Dietician Appts at TWH May 12/10
Met with Surgeon at TWH June 4/10.....consented for surgery!!!!
Nut Class July 14/10 & Psychologist Appt July 15/10
PATS 9/13 & Surgery Date 9/27
My wonderful co-angels are gigglesAlot & going2Bthin
Nurse, Social Worker & Dietician Appts at TWH May 12/10
Met with Surgeon at TWH June 4/10.....consented for surgery!!!!
Nut Class July 14/10 & Psychologist Appt July 15/10
PATS 9/13 & Surgery Date 9/27
My wonderful co-angels are gigglesAlot & going2Bthin
Topic: Help...
I have an aunt in Central California that has been diagnosed with lymphedema.
She is looking for a therapist in the Sacramento area.
Can anyone help?
Suggestions on doctors? Therapists? Anything? Anyone?
She is looking for a therapist in the Sacramento area.
Can anyone help?
Suggestions on doctors? Therapists? Anything? Anyone?
Topic: RE: Before and After pics of legs
It's the only way to spread the word. I know I thought I was the only one suffering with these big legs until I started finding people on the internet.
I have Lipedema and Lymphedema. I also have a passion for Obesity and Health Insurance Advocacy.
Blog: born2lbfat.com Facebook: Born2lbFat Twitter: @born2lbfat
Topic: RE: Before and After pics of legs
Wow Sarah what a transformation.
I must say that I really admire your courage to post those pics. It gives someone like me hope. My legs are really quite bad and I am having a horrible time trying to find treatment. I have made some strides recently but in Canada we are so limited on treatment for the severe lymphedema.
I just wanted to say thanks for putting yourself out there for others to see.
Thanks again,
Cathy
I must say that I really admire your courage to post those pics. It gives someone like me hope. My legs are really quite bad and I am having a horrible time trying to find treatment. I have made some strides recently but in Canada we are so limited on treatment for the severe lymphedema.
I just wanted to say thanks for putting yourself out there for others to see.
Thanks again,
Cathy
Info Session at Toronto Western Apr 12/10
Nurse, Social Worker & Dietician Appts at TWH May 12/10
Met with Surgeon at TWH June 4/10.....consented for surgery!!!!
Nut Class July 14/10 & Psychologist Appt July 15/10
PATS 9/13 & Surgery Date 9/27
My wonderful co-angels are gigglesAlot & going2Bthin
Nurse, Social Worker & Dietician Appts at TWH May 12/10
Met with Surgeon at TWH June 4/10.....consented for surgery!!!!
Nut Class July 14/10 & Psychologist Appt July 15/10
PATS 9/13 & Surgery Date 9/27
My wonderful co-angels are gigglesAlot & going2Bthin
Topic: RE: Sarahlicious...Where Are You? Need some info!
Sarah-
Not a problem! Thanks for the info. I'll PM you with details.
Sarah-
Not a problem! Thanks for the info. I'll PM you with details.
Topic: RE: Sarahlicious...Where Are You? Need some info!
Hey there!!!!
Debulking is the taking of tissue, that can actually make lymphedema worse. However, once you have had compression therapy, etc and only have skin left you can more safely have the skin removed.
I'll send you a friend's request so you can contact me via PM and see my profile.
Sorry I wasn't around sooner, I've been in Guatemala for 2 weeks!...and in Ohio before that!
Debulking is the taking of tissue, that can actually make lymphedema worse. However, once you have had compression therapy, etc and only have skin left you can more safely have the skin removed.
I'll send you a friend's request so you can contact me via PM and see my profile.
Sorry I wasn't around sooner, I've been in Guatemala for 2 weeks!...and in Ohio before that!
I have Lipedema and Lymphedema. I also have a passion for Obesity and Health Insurance Advocacy.
Blog: born2lbfat.com Facebook: Born2lbFat Twitter: @born2lbfat
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