lymphadema???

glamgrl921 · Jun 23rd, 2008, 03:32 AM

has anyone ever heard of this? or currently effected by lymphedema? lymphedema is localized swelling in the body due to lymph nodes not functioning properly. Waaaayyy back in January of this year, while walking in my driveway i stepped on a branch and twisted my foot. I was in pain and my foot swelled up terribly. I knew it would take a while to heel, since I am always on my feet (but who isn't these days?). I even went MONTHS without wearing any heels!!! and I am queen of the stiletto! After about of month of no improvement, I saw a podiatrist. Now, nearly 6 months later, after an xray, MRI, 15 physical therapy treatments, perscriptions, seeing a lymphedema specialist and nearly $1200 in medical bills (WITH INSURANCE!), I still have constant swelling in my foot (but have been pain free for a few months, thank heavens). To keep my foot from exploding, everyday I wear an ace bandage. I am back in heels, but still must wear a bandage every day, and Manolo's just are not the same! Anyway, I am about to give acupuncture a try to see if that helps, but I am just wondering if anyone else out there is effected by this. my dr. said she has seen many women in their early 20's get a minor injury and just don't/never recover properly. needless to say, this whole ordeal is seriously depressing me. it's not serious, but i just can't stand the fact that i'll have to wear an ace bandage on my foot the rest of my days! and I cant believe after all this time and money I am still having constant swelling in my foot. my shoe collection will never be the same. any advice or treatments you can suggest? thanks!

puddinhd58 · Jun 23rd, 2008, 08:44 AM

My Mom is a breast cancer survivor and she has lymphedema of her arm... thankfully it is not too bad, but they told her she would always have it...it is just a matter of controlling it.
I am sorry you are dealing with this. Do the docs think it will ever go back to normal?
I didnt' realize you could get this from an injury?

Hope you get better!

glamgrl921 · Jun 23rd, 2008, 02:52 PM

yea, i've heard alot of women get if from breast cancer related treatments. i'm only 24, so to be dealing with this is very upsetting. i've got it in my foot, but they don't know if i'll be 100% better. they also don't know if it could happen again in another part of my body. very very frustrating. thanks for your well wishes! same to you and yours!

girliceclimber · Jun 23rd, 2008, 10:49 PM

I'm sorry you're dealing with this--I too have heard of lymphedema resulting from cancer treatment, but this is because part of the treatment is actually removing lymph nodes (thus, cutting off the route of lymph back to the heart), but I had no idea you could get it twisting an ankle! If you've seen a specialist, this has probably been suggested, but on the off chance it hasn't, you should look into a special fitted stocking for your foot (I've seen a cancer survivor wearing one of these on her arm, and I had to do a double take before I realized it was there because it was matched to her skin color). It'll serve the same purpose as an ACE bandage but won't be as bulky or look as conspicuous. Massage therapy is also supposed to be very helpful... I haven't heard anything about accupuncture though.
Good luck, and again you have my sympathies.

glamgrl921 · Jun 24th, 2008, 12:06 AM

i have seen a specialist, but I have to go the a physical therapist that specializing in lymphedema treatment to get a garment like that, and the closest therapist to me doesn't have an available appointment until next month!! i had never even heard of this condition before, and it astounds me that a little nothing injury in january could have caused this!! but i will definitley try and get one of those stockings asap!! about massage therapy, did you go to a specialist? or if i go to a spa and just get a regular massage would that help? thanks for your well wishes, I hope you are feeling good and doing well also!

girliceclimber · Jun 25th, 2008, 11:27 PM

^^I don't myself have lymphedema, but I'm a medical student and have learned a bit about it. I think the massage therapy is most helpful in pushing the fluid that has collected in your foot up towards your heart; next time you speak to your doctor you should ask if they know any massages you can do yourself, or if they can recommend a therapist that knows about this condition. Good luck, and I'm sorry you have to wait so long for an appointment with the specialist

.

glamgrl921 · Jun 26th, 2008, 04:30 PM

thanks for your help!

Jun 23rd, 2008, 03:32 AM	#1
glamgrl921 T$ Location: New Jersey	lymphadema??? has anyone ever heard of this? or currently effected by lymphedema? lymphedema is localized swelling in the body due to lymph nodes not functioning properly. Waaaayyy back in January of this year, while walking in my driveway i stepped on a branch and twisted my foot. I was in pain and my foot swelled up terribly. I knew it would take a while to heel, since I am always on my feet (but who isn't these days?). I even went MONTHS without wearing any heels!!! and I am queen of the stiletto! After about of month of no improvement, I saw a podiatrist. Now, nearly 6 months later, after an xray, MRI, 15 physical therapy treatments, perscriptions, seeing a lymphedema specialist and nearly $1200 in medical bills (WITH INSURANCE!), I still have constant swelling in my foot (but have been pain free for a few months, thank heavens). To keep my foot from exploding, everyday I wear an ace bandage. I am back in heels, but still must wear a bandage every day, and Manolo's just are not the same! Anyway, I am about to give acupuncture a try to see if that helps, but I am just wondering if anyone else out there is effected by this. my dr. said she has seen many women in their early 20's get a minor injury and just don't/never recover properly. needless to say, this whole ordeal is seriously depressing me. it's not serious, but i just can't stand the fact that i'll have to wear an ace bandage on my foot the rest of my days! and I cant believe after all this time and money I am still having constant swelling in my foot. my shoe collection will never be the same. any advice or treatments you can suggest? thanks! __________________ TARA I have finally succumbed to making a list I NEED Anemones (any color) 42 Mad Mary Beige 42, but let's be real here, I'd die to get it in black too. Any New Simples 42

Jun 23rd, 2008, 08:44 AM	#2
puddinhd58 Heart of a Golden Location: Chicago	My Mom is a breast cancer survivor and she has lymphedema of her arm... thankfully it is not too bad, but they told her she would always have it...it is just a matter of controlling it. I am sorry you are dealing with this. Do the docs think it will ever go back to normal? I didnt' realize you could get this from an injury? Hope you get better! __________________ ~Kathy~ What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, man would die from great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beast also happens to the man. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. (Chief Seathl, Duwamish Tribe)

Jun 23rd, 2008, 02:52 PM	#3
glamgrl921 T$ Location: New Jersey	yea, i've heard alot of women get if from breast cancer related treatments. i'm only 24, so to be dealing with this is very upsetting. i've got it in my foot, but they don't know if i'll be 100% better. they also don't know if it could happen again in another part of my body. very very frustrating. thanks for your well wishes! same to you and yours! __________________ TARA I have finally succumbed to making a list I NEED Anemones (any color) 42 Mad Mary Beige 42, but let's be real here, I'd die to get it in black too. Any New Simples 42

Jun 24th, 2008, 12:06 AM	#5
glamgrl921 T$ Location: New Jersey	i have seen a specialist, but I have to go the a physical therapist that specializing in lymphedema treatment to get a garment like that, and the closest therapist to me doesn't have an available appointment until next month!! i had never even heard of this condition before, and it astounds me that a little nothing injury in january could have caused this!! but i will definitley try and get one of those stockings asap!! about massage therapy, did you go to a specialist? or if i go to a spa and just get a regular massage would that help? thanks for your well wishes, I hope you are feeling good and doing well also! __________________ TARA I have finally succumbed to making a list I NEED Anemones (any color) 42 Mad Mary Beige 42, but let's be real here, I'd die to get it in black too. Any New Simples 42

Jun 26th, 2008, 04:30 PM	#7
glamgrl921 T$ Location: New Jersey	thanks for your help! __________________ TARA I have finally succumbed to making a list I NEED Anemones (any color) 42 Mad Mary Beige 42, but let's be real here, I'd die to get it in black too. Any New Simples 42

Jun 23rd, 2008, 10:49 PM	#4
girliceclimber Member Location: Los Angeles	I'm sorry you're dealing with this--I too have heard of lymphedema resulting from cancer treatment, but this is because part of the treatment is actually removing lymph nodes (thus, cutting off the route of lymph back to the heart), but I had no idea you could get it twisting an ankle! If you've seen a specialist, this has probably been suggested, but on the off chance it hasn't, you should look into a special fitted stocking for your foot (I've seen a cancer survivor wearing one of these on her arm, and I had to do a double take before I realized it was there because it was matched to her skin color). It'll serve the same purpose as an ACE bandage but won't be as bulky or look as conspicuous. Massage therapy is also supposed to be very helpful... I haven't heard anything about accupuncture though. Good luck, and again you have my sympathies.

Jun 25th, 2008, 11:27 PM	#6
girliceclimber Member Location: Los Angeles	^^I don't myself have lymphedema, but I'm a medical student and have learned a bit about it. I think the massage therapy is most helpful in pushing the fluid that has collected in your foot up towards your heart; next time you speak to your doctor you should ask if they know any massages you can do yourself, or if they can recommend a therapist that knows about this condition. Good luck, and I'm sorry you have to wait so long for an appointment with the specialist .