Very Bad lymphoedema in both legs

[chrissie121]

Hi, my Mum whose 87 has really bad lymphoedema in both legs. She has had swollen legs for a number of years but only in the past 2 years or so was the condition diagnosed as lymphoedema. She has had weeping of the legs and the DN's have bandaged her legs and she is encourage to elevate her legs all the time. Sadly, Mum has was diagnosed a year or so ago with vascular dementia, thus it can be difficult to explain to her to stay off her legs. However, in the past week or so her legs have really swollen up, the thighs, which usually the swelling was from the knee down to her ankle and beyond to part of her foot. I wonder if anyone knew why the swelling would suddenly move to a part of the leg is never has before, the lower leg swelling is just as bad with the weeping more on one leg than the other...

Thank you

[aepyornis]

Dear Chrissie, you have actually posted in the lipoedema community, which is a related but different condition. I think that you should repost in the LSN community (Lymphoedema Support Network) which is very active and will probably be very helpful. As far as I know, yes, this condition can worsen rather fast.

I am sorry to hear about your mom and you, and hope that at least it is not too painful for her. I wish you both all the best, and that she can get proper care to manage the disease and be as comfortable as possible, given the circumstances.