Lymphedema

[shetara20]

Hello everyone. I just wanted to share this with yall. My left foot has been swallon for the last 3 years and I really didnt think anything of it until i couldnt wear any cute shoes or even fit in my sneakers at times. I went to the orthopedic doctor and he didnt know what it was and he recommended that i go to a vascular doctor. I went to see my own docotor today and she told me I had lymphedema. I am devastated because there is nothing to cure it. I can only treat it by losing weight and exercising. Im really upset at waiting so long to see what was wrong with me. I feel that this is my final motivation to help me on my weight loss journey. I am sad about this but i am not gonna let this control my life.

[Lisa23]

Oh Sweetie I'm so sorry. I have never heard of it. If I were you I would find out everything you can about out, find a fourm where people share their experiences dealing with it. Will losing weight make the swelling go away?

And totally, let this be the motivation you need to lose that weight. I know it would be for me. I hope you feel better.

[shetara20]

Oh Sweetie I'm so sorry. I have never heard of it. If I were you I would find out everything you can about out, find a fourm where people share their experiences dealing with it. Will losing weight make the swelling go away?

And totally, let this be the motivation you need to lose that weight. I know it would be for me. I hope you feel better.

its ok its just hittin me hard right now. i have to live with the fact that i cant wear heals anymore and that this is no way to get my foot back to its normal state. Me losing weight is only a treatment not a cure. My mother has the same condition so it might be hereditary. so for now i have enough motivation to get off my butt and make a drastic lifestyle change for my life!!!

[Nonie]

((((Shetara20))), never say never. No matter what anyone tells you. There was a time when people said you had to live with cancer or diabetes...or a time when people believed an illness could control you. This has been proven not to be true. And people can live with full lives even with a condition that seems insurmountable at the start. I don't know much about lymphedema, but I've had relatives who've had it and I know it doesn't control them. I know it's scary hearing about it, but knowledge is power. So get yourself some info on it. The more you know and understand it, the better it will be to live with it and to manage it. I did a search on Amazon and see there are several books on it. The first on listed on this page (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/102-0147670-4330547?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=lymphedema&x=0&y=0) has had 5 stars from all 6 reviewers so might be a good read and useful. But check out the reviews and look inside the books and see which one speaks to you. Then read it with a positive mental attitude. You will overcome this. YES. YOU. CAN. :kiss:

[Nonie]

its ok its just hittin me hard right now. i have to live with the fact that i cant wear heals anymore and that this is no way to get my foot back to its normal state. Me losing weight is only a treatment not a cure. My mother has the same condition so it might be hereditary. so for now i have enough motivation to get off my butt and make a drastic lifestyle change for my life!!!

Sweetie, I used to love high heels until I discovered comfort shoes that can be so cute and less than 2 inches high. And how much more fun they are to wear. I am short and high heels do look cute, but I don't know if it's age or what, but I really don't care for them. I see ladies with them and actually feel sad coz I know their feet will be so messed up. Or their backs. Take a tour of www.zappos.com and do a search under comfort dress shoes and set your criteria to be low heels and see how many cute shoes come up. You can create a wish list that you can keep returning to till you just can't get over how much you like those shoes. I have never liked flats and still don't care much for them. But a cute little heel and feminine looking shoes are a treasure. And I kid you not, I get more compliments on them than any other shoes. Zappos has me at its mercy coz of the lovely comfies I've got from there. :yep:

[shetara20]

((((Shetara20))), never say never. No matter what anyone tells you. There was a time when people said you had to live with cancer or diabetes...or a time when people believed an illness could control you. This has been proven not to be true. And people can live with full lives even with a condition that seems insurmountable at the start. I don't know much about lymphedema, but I've had relatives who've had it and I know it doesn't control them. I know it's scary hearing about it, but knowledge is power. So get yourself some info on it. The more you know and understand it, the better it will be to live with it and to manage it. I did a search on Amazon and see there are several books on it. The first on listed on this page (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/102-0147670-4330547?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=lymphedema&x=0&y=0) has had 5 stars from all 6 reviewers so might be a good read and useful. But check out the reviews and look inside the books and see which one speaks to you. Then read it with a positive mental attitude. You will overcome this. YES. YOU. CAN. :kiss:


Its just haird right now accepting it because i know i have to wake up everyday and see a swallon foot and sometime ankle and leg. Ill get through it thanks for the encouraging words.

[Phoenix14]

One of my close friends had this in middle school and she had a hard time adjusting at first. One thing that helped was to get a doctor that she could really talk to and work out a treatment plan with. She wore these compression stockings everyday that helped with the swelling. I also remember her having this pump thing she used at night. She is now a vibrant and beautiful young lady who's been living with it for about 10 years. You could never tell. There is hope. I agree with Nonie, educate yourself. I know it may seem hard right now but you have a wealth of information out there beyond your doctor so I want to encourage you to seek it all out.

[shetara20]

One of my close friends had this in middle school and she had a hard time adjusting at first. One thing that helped was to get a doctor that she could really talk to and work out a treatment plan with. She wore these compression stockings everyday that helped with the swelling. I also remember her having this pump thing she used at night. She is now a vibrant and beautiful young lady who's been living with it for about 10 years. You could never tell. There is hope. I agree with Nonie, educate yourself. I know it may seem hard right now but you have a wealth of information out there beyond your doctor so I want to encourage you to seek it all out.

Thanks I plan on getting a compression stocking and i want to further my education on this condition. I am still gonna be me reguardless of this but i have to learn to take better care of myself along the way. Thanks for the encouragement!!!!

[Phoenix14]

No problem!

[Je Ne Sais Quoi]

We're here for you :hug3:

[zora]

I'm sorry to hear that. There are things you can do in addition to exercise. Watch your salt, do dry brushing and get regular massages. To keep your costs down for the massages, go to a school of massage and get them for cheaper.

If you have a health savings account and/or good insurance, you can probably get the costs reimbursed.

I'm pretty sure aromatherapy and herbs can help as well. I've seen in my library. PM if you have any questions.

Good luck.

[trenise]

I'm bumping this thread to see if anyone has any more suggestions concerning this disorder.

[Olaysha]

I have this condition. I have had it since I was young and it has progressively gotten worse but only because doctor after doctor did not know what to do or what it was. Finally, I found a doctor who diagnosed me properly and got me into compression therapy. My problem is I've been lazy with keeping up with it at home and I'm really resentful of the disease/condition. I've never been able to wear short skirts and cute sexy heels because my feet don't fit in every kind of shoe. At times, I'm angry and/or depressed about it. I need to lose weight to help get the condition under better control. Compression therapy was awesome. I got my legs into a pair of stretchy boots for the first time in years but again I have not kept up with the at-home portion of this therapy and am now back to square one. I don't want to wear compression stockings or do leg wraps every night. I'm just so damn angry that my feet, ankles and legs swell the way they do. But when I think of people that suffer from really serious illnesses then I have to slap myself and be thankful that I have two legs that aside from looking slightly deformed manage to hold me up pretty well. I have to adjust my perspective all the time. At times it just gets overwhelming. I envy women that shop for shoes so freely, wear shorts and short skirts and bathing suits with no shame. I feel like a freak and not sexy but I also know that I am so blessed to be pretty healthy and so I push on....just venting. If anyone with this condition wants to chat with me just to get out the frustration please feel free to contact me.