I'm not sure if anyone is having trouble finding help aspirating their calves but if you are looking for some suggestions, I hope my post below helps!
On Nov 27, I went out with friends and ended up walking/standing for more than 6 hours straight. I wore compression stockings when I went out but did not wrap my legs in elastic bandages. When I got home, my legs were extremely sore but I just thought I'd feel better in the morning after some elevation. The next morning came and I was SHOCKED to see how much fluid was built up in my legs!! I'd gently tap a spot and the whole calf would ripple, that's how bad it was. Immediately I panicked. Not only did my legs looked like a waterbed, they were swollen and painful. I haven't had pain in over 5 weeks so I knew this was serious. I took a video and sent it to Dr. Jong. He replied right away and said that there must be at least 50-60cc built up in each of my legs and I should get that aspirated asap. He also said to wrap my legs as tightly as I can tolerate, and elevate whenever possible to avoid blood clots and infections. This bothered me so much, I took a day off from work and went to see my family doctor (I'm in BC, Canada). After the doctor found out what I'd done to my legs, she was astonished and said she cannot help due to liability reasons. The only way I can get her to help is to get a full report, translated, from Dr. Jong to indicate what exactly was done and how. It sounded like too much of a hassle at the time so I decided to go to a hospital emergency room instead. The ER doctor said pretty much the same thing and asked me to try a private clinic. However the ER doctor said that he didn't think the fluid is too big of an issue. If I just keep elevating and keeping myself hydrated so my body does not retain water, the fluid should get absorbed by my body in a day or two. After I was released without given any medications or help in any form, I was depressed, angry, frustrated, and was just going so crazy. The next two days rolled by with constant elevations and wrapping and drinking water and peeing, things did not get better, but not worse either.
On Dec 1, I called a plastic surgeon but was only able to speak to the receptionist, who was no help at all. I also tried calling a private clinic and was told the initial consultation costs $160cad and the treatment might cost up to $2000cad depending on what needs to be done. Money wasn't a big issue as I was so desperate, but they have never heard of "needle aspiration" and are not familiar with the procedure. They said to me that there is one big nerve and many many smaller nerves in my calves and no-one should ever stick a needle in there under any circumstances........ I was beyond despair by this point and felt like I was running out of options. I couldn't eat, couldn't focus when I was at work, all I could think of were my calves and how no one was able to help me. Then, my boyfriend who is a non-believer, asked me to try an acupuncturist or chinese medicine doctor/therapist.
Dec 2, I called a popular chinese therapy centre and spoke to a registered acupuncturist. I explained my situation to him, he fully understood and said that the "bad blood" in my calves needs to be taken out. Not by a syringe but with tiny acupuncture needles and cupping. The chinese doctor told me, after I asked him if he's had experience with a similar case, that he's treated a patient with only 1 kidney who had trouble getting rid of his body fluid over a period of 9 years which resulted in severe infections and internal bleeding. He helped this particular patient by putting acupuncture needles in and cupping to "suck" the fluid out. It took him 9 sessions to drain all the fluid because the needles are so thin so only a little bit came out each time. And that's exactly what he did on my calf (yes only one as he said if I did two at the same time I would feel exhausted and might not be able to walk/drive safely). It did not hurt at all when the doctor was treating me but after, throbbing pain was quite bad that I had to take a couple advils. The doctor said he used a total of 100 needles...... I lol'd because I definitely did not feel like I had 100 needles in me. my calf did not feel better or worse after the acupuncture session but the next day, IT SHRUNK!!!! And no more rippling!
I am supposed to go back tomorrow to have my other leg done and I just can't wait. I cannot express how relieved I am. If you're someone who's stressing out about the fluid in your legs and that no one is helping you, I'd urge you to try an acupuncturist (or a chinese therapist because I know not all acupuncturists do cupping)... because it works!!! I have also been recommended by the chinese doc to soak my legs in water + 1 cup of epsom salts for 20 minutes x 3 times a day. Anyway, hope this helps someone out there!
!! My feet did not swell up after that day I went out for 6 hours in fact it's only when I wrap my legs really tight, my feet get all purple and swollen. I wore booties when I went out, with 1.5inch heels. I try not to wear heels just because I don't want to be using my calf muscles while they're trying to heal. If you're planning on being on your feet for hours I strongly recommend not wearing anything with heels and also have your legs wrapped. Not saying that you'll end up having fluid in your legs like I did but being in heels will definitely tire your legs a lot quicker!
PM or reply is fine with me 