What happens when u go on holidays and your body get some sun ?

[Bluedolffin]

Every time I go on holidays, the swelling on my affected left arm and left hand decreases by 50%. I don't have this need to wear my garment. I am starting to wonder if my lymphedema is not due to a lack of vitamin E and lack of light as I live in Ireland. Anybody experiences the same?

[naominorthenellis]

Lucky you!! it could be because you are relaxed and stress free when you are on holiday - I understand that stress can make the condition worse. 50% is a big difference though. Is your diet very different when you are on holiday too?

[pushkin]

VITAMINS A and D !! my friend. Essential all year round Best obtained fro COD LIVER and COD LIVER OIL and readily available from KING ISCAR in a ROUND tin not a flat tin..the product in the round tin is much superior as is the quality Product of NORWAY

[Bluedolffin in reply to pushkin]

What do u cook/eat with cod liver oil my friend? I have no idea. Never tried. I usually eat fish .

[Hidden]

Hi Bluedolfin, I live in Ireland too but I don't really think lack of light is a cause. If you eat a reasonably healthy diet you should be getting enough vitamins apart from vitamin d3 - so there's a lot to recommend taking some extra vitamin d3 through the winter. When I go on holiday to the sun, I tend to find that my arm swelling increases if it's very warm, unless I'm in the water. I love swimming, especially in the sea and this is one thing I make sure to do lots when I'm away. I find it makes a massive difference to any swelling - if I'm on holiday I swim every day and I definitely notice a decrease in arm swelling and that horrible leaden congested feeling disappears too.

[Bluedolffin in reply to Hidden]

Hi black board queen, love the name:-). Glad to find a lymphie like me in the country of potatoes! just wondering if you are happy about your health insurance and the way they help u to cope with all the cares we need. I have vhi myself but they don't help me at all with the cost of each garment.

[Bluedolffin]

Yeah guys. I think it is a combination of those three things. Since i stopped eating bread and carbs, my condition has reAlly improved

[Rebec in reply to Bluedolffin]

I've been thinking about your question and I think that the reduction in your left arm is not due to the sun, ie vitamin D, but maybe you drop some weight while on holiday and also, although you don't mention it anywhere, you swim in the sea and the swim plus the waves massage your arm. I even thought of the osmosis effect but then I decided I was on the wrong path. From my own experience, I got my lymphoedema arm, once, to be only 3% larger than my healthy one just by going regularly to the swimmingpool. Unfortunately, after a bout of cellulitis, I can't manage to get back to the same results anymore.

[Bluedolffin in reply to Rebec]

So sorry. I think u are right it is definitely due to swimming in the sea cause if I remember well, my hand was swollen in the mornings. I have started to take a new food supplement and the swelling did not get back. Bit early to tell but I might have found the pill that resolve all my problems.

[alisonlouise4444]

Hi Bluedolffin thats great news .I havent been on holiday yet since i was diagnosed but im going to Rome in september with a wonderful man who i met on this forum!!! It will be interesting to see how if effects us it will be cooler in september but still very warm.Im also eating very healthy hoping it will make a difference.

[Bluedolffin in reply to alisonlouise4444]

Fabulous have a wonderful time. Take plenty of Sun and don't forget the sub cream.

[alisonlouise4444 in reply to Bluedolffin]

Yes ill remember the sun cream i love sun however it doesnt like me very much i get prickly heat rash even at home in England i have to wear factor 30 !!! I cant wait September cant come quick enough xx