Newly diagnosed

[Sharon42]

Hello,

Wonder if you could help, my Mum has just been diagnosed Lymphoedema in both legs just below the knee. The doctor is stating to take notice now, but I wonder if anyone has any hints, tips or useful information that may help her.

Thanks,

[Lynora]

Contact the LSN on Monday morning, and ask them to send you a whole range of leaflets - and also, order (from them) the DVD on self-care of lower limb lymphoedema. The GP probably already has got the ball rolling, but she should be referred to the nearest Lymphoedema Clinic, so that they can start 'managing' the condition, and provide her with lots more information and compression garments.

Invest in a decent sized pot of a simple emollient such as E45. She should start applying it to her legs on a regular basis - daily, after a shower, if possible. This will help to keep the skin in good condition. Tell her not to 'rub' it in, but to simply stroke it in, using upward sweeping movements.

She could try manual lymphatic drainage - a therapist will also teach her how to do her own self lymphatic drainage. You can find therapists via mlduk.org.uk

It will all be a bit scary at the moment, but she's not alone - this forum is great if she wants to touch base with other patients.

[Sharon42 in reply to Lynora]

Thank you

[AnneBury]

Just to add to Lynora. The Lymphoedema Support Network (LSN): telephone [phone] or 020 7351 4480 and website, lymphoedema.org

[Sharon42 in reply to AnneBury]

Thanks for your help, she's going to call them on Monday.

[morganite]

make sure a type of compression therapy either bandages or stockings is started and she feels that she belongs, I found it very isolsting and not all authorities give it the priority they should, Good luck to her there is a lot of support on here.

[Butterfly-lady]

Hi there. I am sorry to hear that your mother has been diagnosed with Lymphoedema

It is always difficult when you have just been diagnosed. We are fortunate that in the UK we have the Lymphoedema Support Network (LSN), which has so much information on the website. Depending on where you live, there may be a Lymphoedema clinic local to you, which will be really helpful and then the Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) would be free as part of the Complex Decongestive Therapy treatment on the NHS .

Best wishes

Susan

[galtyboi]

Try keep legs elevated

As much as she can to avoid swelling of the feet until she gets fitted with compression stockings.Its good for the legs to moisturize them regularly to stop skin drying out,I use hydromol whis my gp percribes.She may experience very cold feet ,this is due to poor circulation .I use a massager,it helps the circulation a bit.If she has swollen feet finding shoes will be a problem .widerfit shoes.com are good online shoe stockists for swollen feet and with lymphedema you are entitled to then Vat free.I wish her all the very best ,tell her to pop in ,we are all on the same boat,love to hear how she is getting on.

[Sharon42]

Thanks for your replies. Has any one had a massage for thier lymphoedema

and if so did it help?

[Butterfly-lady in reply to Sharon42]

I am currently having to see a private Manual Lymphatic Drainage practitioner until I get the NHS provision sorted out and I have found this massage treatment very helpful. My legs feel lighter afterwards and definitely less painful.

warm regards to you and your mother for 2015