dependent lymphoedema

[sue32]

I have just been diagnosed with dependent lymphoedema. Can anyone explain this to me please? My leg is extremely swollen, pink, painful and hard as a rock. I have been given flucloxicillin 1000mg, 1x 4 times a day, in case it is cellulitis. I'm really worried and scared it may be something really serious. Any ideas anyone? :-((

[norberte]

hi sue

sorrry you're having such a horrible time

but try not to fret - if it is cellulitis, they've given you a serious, no messing dose of fluclox which should have you feeling betterish quite soon

& sorry, i've never heard of dependent lymphoedema, but have just looked it up &, according to the lsn website, it's lymphoedema you get after long periods of immobility: lymphoedema.org/Menu4/1How%... & scroll down a bit, does that fit for you?

good luck getting on top of it all

[mldmassage]

Dependant lymphpedema occurs when the legs are immobile when long periods of time are spent seated with the legs down . They are also called arm chair legs. Lymph flow requires movement of the muscle to push fluid up against gravity, if you sit with your legs down the arterial blood still flows into the legs but the flow of fluid (lymph) out is restricted. There for the legs need to be elevated but as they are now hardened they will need some sompression support to reduce their size. Exercises such as rotating the feet at the ankle and pointing the toes then pulling them back all help to work the calf muscle pump action to move fluid out these should be done while you sit with your legs elevated. A note to mention this happens a lot to people who sit in an armchair to sleep rather than go to bed, but using a bed gives the best elevation.

[sue32]

great! Thanks guys!! I have been doing my foot exercises, when my legs are elevated, and when I wake up in the morning before I swing my legs out of bed. I don't spend the night in an armchair, although I do 'nap' in the chair during the day. And my legs are always raised when in my recliner chair. Funnily, it's only in 1 leg, my left. I have lympho in both legs and in my right arm, but it's only the left leg that is affected.

The flucloxicillin is now making me extremely nauseous!!! XX