lymphoedema and leg wounds/ulcers: hello,i started with... - LSN

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lymphoedema and leg wounds/ulcers

gcb1 profile image
gcb1
33 Replies

hello,i started with odema,20 yrs ago and over the years in turned to lymphoedema,

and leg ulcers and open seeping wounds

i have been to leg ulcer clinics,and had special stockings made !

more than 3 years ago i was measured while my legs were swollen,which wasnt right,

i never recieved the stockings,so i stopped going,as it was a waste of time.

but my wife has bathed them every night,i have tried shay butter,bio oil, anything really,

but my wife says my legs smell, i couldnt smell them, but she says they smell like rotton potatoes.

i have double base cream,ans silvercel dressings,allevyn adhesive dressings

what is the reason for the smell? and what can stop it.

my lower legs look like tree bark.. thank you

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33 Replies
Lynora profile image
Lynora

There may be a bacterial infection - please see your doctor asap.

gcb1 profile image
gcb1 in reply to Lynora

will ring him today..thank you

galtyboi profile image
galtyboi

I had the same,and my legs reeked also ,I was convinced it was gangarin but it wasn't as bad as I thought.I went to my doctor and he referred me to the nurse at the clinic.twice a week the nurses would change the dressing and wash my legs ,then they would smear the infected area with Fucibet cream,then thick bandage the wounds and finally cut a Tubifast elasticated bandage and cover the legs .The legs dried up within a fortnight and the seeping stopped,now I keep my legs well hydrated and wash them using hydromol which keeps the skin moisturized thus helping to prevent further infection.If you are overweight ask your doctor about seeing a dietician as obesity can play a big part in the problem,hope this helps you.

gcb1 profile image
gcb1 in reply to galtyboi

thanks for that.

i eat loads of fruit and veg

i have an under active thyroid. i take 350mg of thyroxine daily

my illness started at 40yrs old. now 60

i was 14st fit. then got food posioning, it upset my body clock

it gave me weight gain. wow did it increase

panic attacks,etc etc

i have fucibet,betamethasone cream,( use now an then as it thins skin)

i have bricks under my bed legs.to keep my legs elavited.

i take water pills 5 x 1mg daily,so i pee for england !!!

leg ulcer clinics dont care..my wife looks after me. without her i would

be stuffed.i dont claim dla,or anything,i work in toolhire/sales

so i am always knocking my legs etc..

i can go on an on....

Dodidoos profile image
Dodidoos in reply to galtyboi

Hi can you tell me is hydromol good and is it oil based ,or parrafin I use Dermol shower cream, Aveeno moisturiser or E45 non are working at the momment as I'm having a mild flare up of small spots affecting a few areas .

SmallBlueThing profile image
SmallBlueThing in reply to Dodidoos

Hydromol's great. It's made from wax and paraffin. My clinic wouldn't recommend E45, due to added ingredients. If you have spots or plaques you need to be very careful not to dislodge them and cause a leak when washing.

Kydave1974 profile image
Kydave1974 in reply to SmallBlueThing

Would be interested in speaking with u sir if u cab spare the time and see this. Im 43 with same symptoms as u and drhave no clue. Same vicious cycle too thst they never understand. IT ALWAYS STARTS WITH CELLULITIS!

SmallBlueThing profile image
SmallBlueThing in reply to Kydave1974

Did you mean gcb1 ? He doesn't seem to have been around since his original post. If you start your own new post, it would get more replies. Best wishes.

HI gcb - THERE'S NO MAYBE , YOU HAVE SERIOUS ISSUES GOING ON THAT COULD RESULT IN A BAD OUTCOME .

THE TREATMENT AND ADVICE YOU HAVE BEEN SUBJECT TO IS DEPLORABLE .

I HAVE WRITTEN BEFORE ABOUT THE ARROGANT AND DANGEROUS ATTITUDE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS .. MANY OF WHOM HAVE NOT A CLUE WHICH INCLUDES LYMPHOEDEMA .

YOU HAVE AN INCURABLE CONDITION THAT NEEDS CAREFUL MANAGEMENT EVERY DAY ... ETERNAL VIGILANCE IN THE SIGNS OF IMPENDING DANGER .

YOU HAVE A DEEP SEATED CELLULITIS THATS OOZING INFECTED LYMPH FLUID AND NO AMOUNT OF WASHING AND CREAMS WILL STOP IT.

THATS MASSIVE INFLAMMATION THAT MAY RESULT IN A CASCADE OF CYTOKINES RESULTING IN SEPSIS [ SHOCK ] WHICH CAN BE FATAL AND LEADS TO SEPTICAEMIA

[ BLOOD POISONING ].

AT THIS STAGE YOU NEED BROAD SPECTRUM ANTIBIOTICS

[ FLUCLOXACILLIN.CEPHALOSPORINS.CIPROFLOXICIN ] INTRAVENOUSLY AS ? AN INPATIENT OR FROM YOUR MEDICAL CENTRE FINISHING WITH A 7 DAY ORAL COURSE .

BLOOD WORK TO DETERMINE INFLAMMATORY MARKERS , MICROBIOLOGICAL BLOOD CULTURE AND WOUND SWABBING AND OTHER TESTS CARRIED OUT TO DETERMINE PROGRESS .

THERE IS A LOT MORE LIKE LEG ELEVATION.COMPRESSION.PROPER BANDAGING.NUTRITION.TRAVEL DANGER.EXERCISE AND SKIN CARE [ NOT CREAMS - CHUCK THEM OUT... THERE'S A CHEAP AND VERY EFFECTIVE ANTIBACTERIAL LIQUID THAT YOU CAN MAKE IN YOUR KITCHEN ]

I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST - JUST DAMP DOWN THAT CELLULITIS THEN GET A PLAN OF ACTION TO MANAGE THIS HELL .

delady56 profile image
delady56

What started the odema origanily and you under a doctor's care? Did he/she tell you to wear stockings with oozing sores? You need to be under medical car, not lotion from you wife which I'm sure felt goood, stay in bed with your feet elevated and go to the hospital now! I imagine the smell is rotting skin.

HEY PAL IT DOES NOT PAY TO BE ACCUSATORY AND COMBATIVE IN THIS FORUM .FIRSTLY I WAS NOT ADDRESSING YOUR COMMENTS, BUT THAT OF gbc1 WHO HAS SERIOUS HEALTH CONCERNS THAT FAR TRANSCEND YOUR CONDITION.WHATEVER THAT MIGHT BE .

I THINK YOU FAIL TO UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF LYMPHOEDEMA WHICH HAS SEVERAL CATEGORIES AND DEGREES OF SERIOUSNESS .

IN REPLYING TO gbc1 I [AS A FELLOW SUFFERER ] I SAW A TOTAL LACK OF EFFECTIVE ACTION IN ASSISTING HIM IN AVOIDING SOME VERY WORRYING OUTCOMES . I HAVE SUBSCRIBED TO THIS WEBSITE FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW AND WHAT I SEE IS A LITANY OF IGNORANCE AND NEGLECT BY SOME HEALTH FOLKS THAT IS PUTTING MANY IN JEOPARDY .

YOUR CONDITION IS NOT IN THE SAME BALLPARK AS gbc1s' SO WASHING , CREAMS AND WIFELY CARE IS NOT ENOUGH .

I THINK YOU NEED TO HAVE YOUR CONDITION CLARIFIED BY YOUR GP. FROM 12000 MILES AWAY IT WOULD APPEAR TO BE AN AGGRAVATED DERMATITIS . POSSIBLY OF VASCULAR ORIGIN , NOT A FORM OF LYMPHOEDEMA THAT DEMONSTRATES THE NEED FOR 24HR/DAY VIGILANCE AND MECHANICAL SUPPORT .

YOUR FUCIBET CREAM IS A COMBINATION OF A STRONG HYDROCORTISONE ANTI - INFLAMMATORY AND A BACTERIOCIDAL AGENT.

THERE ARE WARNINGS OVER PROLONGED USE OF STEROIDAL COMPOUNDS [ CORTISOLS LEVELS FROM DISRUPTED ADRENAL FUNCTION ... A CUSHINGOID SYNDROME ] AND THE USE OF TOPICAL ANTISEPTICS [ INCLUDES ANTISEPTIC HAND AND BODY SOAPS ] THAT APPEAR TO INITIATE MUTATIONS IN THE BACTERIAL CALL WALL DNA ... CAUSING THE TSUNAMI OF HEALTH CRISIS SURROUNDING THE FAILURE OF MANY ANTIBIOTICS .

AND SOME BELIEVE THAT MINERAL OIL BASED OINTMENTS AND CREAM ARE NOT GOOD .

AT THIS STAGE AN ANTIBIOTIC FAILURE MAY WELL SEE ME MEET THE GRIM REAPER IN PERSON .

I HAVE A LYMPHOEDEMA OF VASCULAR ORIGIN - THIS MEANS THAT I HAVE EXCESSIVE LEAKAGE VIA THE ARTERIAL / ARTERIOLE

ENDOTHELIAL CELLS THAT LINE THEIR INNER WALLS - UNLIKE PRIMARY LD MY LYMPH SYSTEM IS OK ... JUST CANT COPE WITH THE THE EXCESSIVE FLUID SENT OUT INTO THE LEGS .

THIS WAS INHERITED FROM MY MOTHER , BUT FAR WORSE FOR ADDITIONAL REASONS .

I HAVE LOST UP TO 300 MLS OF FLUID IN A DAY [ BI-LATERAL ] AND HAVE BEEN ON THE POINT OF A BLOOD TRANSFUSION BECAUSE THIS ONGOING LEAKAGE DRAINED ME OF NUTRIENTS [ IRON FOR THIS ] ... I BECAME SO ANAEMIC WITH A HAEMOGLOBIN OF 85g /per litre THAT I WAS WEAK AND DIZZY AND SHOULD HAVE HAD A HAEMOGLOBIN OF ABOUT 175 g/litre .

OK - I HAVE HAD THIS CONDITION FOR ABOUT 13 YEARS WITH MEDICAL TREATMENT BEGINNING IN 2008 WITH MY FIRST HOSPITALISATION UNDER EMERGENCY CONDITIONS [ AND THAT GOES FOR THE NEXT 7 TIMES UNTIL OCTOBER 2014 ] .

THE PROBLEM IS CYCLICAL - SEVERE CELLULITIS - SEPSIS - SEPTICAEMIA WHICH HAS THREATENED MY LIFE AND DAMAGED ME IN SO MANY WAYS.

IN APRIL 2011 I WAS ADMITTED TO MY LOCAL PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL WITH UNCONTROLLABLE SHIVERING - MENTAL CONFUSION - TEMP AT 40+oC - NOT IN GOOD SHAPE .

BELIEVING THAT I WAS ABOUT TO KARK OUT , THE GREAT TEAM THERE [ YES THEY ARE ] SAVED ME BY A 3.5 HR AMBULANCE DASH TO THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL HOSPITAL WHERE I SPENT 2 WEEKS IN THE HIGH DEPENDENCY UNIT AND THEN TWO WEEKS IN RECOVERY SUFFERING KIDNEY AND LIVER FAILURE AND UNABLE TO STAND ON MY LEGS .

THEY CUT A HOLE IN MY NECK AND STUCK A CANULA DOWN VIA THE JUGULAR VEIN TO MY HEART AND EVERY FEW HRS DELIVERED HUGE SYRINGES FULL OF THE MOST POWERFUL ANTIBIOTICS INTO ME.

I HAD BLOOD TAKEN OFF EVERY FEW HRS AND HAD THE PERSONAL ATTENTION OF THE PROFESSOR OF THE RENAL UNIT AND THE PROFESSOR OF VASCULAR SURGERY . [ WHO HAS SHOVED ME IN THE

" TOO HARD BASKET " ]

TO THIS DAY I HAVE QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES - CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE { CKD } AND [ I'M 68 ] PROBABLE AMPUTATION OF BOTH LEGS IN THE FUTURE .

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED FROM THIS IS THAT [ DEFINITELY INCLUDES THE MEDICAL PROFESSION ] IS THAT ONE DOES NOT UNDERSTAND ILLNESS UNTIL ONE HAS LIVED IT [ THAT WAS SAID BY A PHYSICIAN WHO GOT REALLY CROOK AND WOKE UP TO AN EPIPHANY THAT MADE HIM REALISE THAT MEDICINE AS WE KNOW IT IS TAKING SOME DUBIOUS DIRECTIONS ]

BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE :

SOME QUOTATIONS - THE AMA [ AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION ] APPARENTLY ADMITTED THAT GPs ARE ABOUT 17 YRS BEHIND THE CURRENT RESEARCH . I DONT BLAME THEM ... THEY HAVE ENDURED 6 YRS AND BEYOND OF HELLISH LIFE TO GET THEIR MB.ChB OR MD - THEN SIT AND PROCESS A FLOOD OF MISERY GUTS DAY AFTER DAY WITH DIVERS MALADIES FROM GOLDBRICKERS - HYPOCHONDRIACS - UNDERTAKER CANDIDATES AND COMPLETE MEDICAL MYSTERIES .

NO ONE CAN KEEP UP WITH THE GLOBAL VOLUME OF HYPOTHESES AND RESEARCH THAT IS [ LARGELY IGNORED ] BY TODAYS MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS .

TO COUNTERACT THIS [ THE SOLE PRACTITIONER IS GONE ] THEY FORM PRACTISES WITH MANY COLLEGIAL PARTNERS IN A PLEASANTLY SET OUT BUILDING... WITH A BIG CARPARK ... SOURCE A FACELESS ARMY OF LOCUMS .. AND REPAIR TO THE SKI FIELD ... MOUNTAIN BIKE TRACK - OR THE MANY TRIATHLONS [ I LIVE IN AN ALPINE LAKE AND SKI RESORT ] AND SEEMINGLY AVOID ANY CEREBRAL INVOLVEMENT THAT DOES NOT COINCIDE WITH A VISIT FROM A BIG PHARMA COMPANY REP. !!!!

OR IF YOU HAVE ANY SENSE OF HUMOUR :

THE GREAT VOLTAIRE SAID " DOCTORS GIVE DRUGS OF WHICH THEY KNOW LITTLE , INTO BODIES OF WHICH THEY KNOW LESS , FOR DISEASES OF WHICH THEY KNOW NOTHING AT ALL !!!!

[ CIRCA 1780 AD ]

AND

I AM A QUALIFIED MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST - 10 YRS IN HOSPITALS.

CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY

CHEMICAL PATHOLOGY

HAEMATOLOGY

20 YRS IN A GOVERNMENT VETERINARY AND AGRICULTURE RESEARCH FACILITY AS A SECTION LEADER IN DIAGNOSTIC CHEMISTRY -

GOVERNMENT ANALYST UNDER THE STOCKFOOD REMEDIES ACT -

INITIATOR OF RESEARCH METHODOLOGY INTO ANIMAL NUTRITION AND DISEASE SURVEILLANCE.

FOOD ANALYSIS AND CONSULTANCY TO THAT INDUSTRY.

INITIATOR AND DEVELOPER OF AN INTERLABORATORY SYSTEM ON A GLOBAL SCALE TO ENSURE FOOD AND ALLIED LABORATORIES CAN PROVIDE RESULTS IN A TIMELY AND ACCURATE MANNER .

ADDITIONAL TO THAT:

15 YRS STUDY [ UP TO 3 HRS PER DAY ] OF INTEGRATIVE / COMPLEMENTARY / ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE ALMOST EACH DAY.

A PERSONALLY COLLECTED DATABASE OF OF 30,000+ MEDICO SCIENTIFIC PAPERS AND ARTICLES Re THIS - THIS WITH A VIEW TO PUTTING UP A PRINT MEDIA OR WEB BLOG ON NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN MEDICINE THAT YOU WONT HEAR ABOUT AT YOUR MEDICAL CENTRE .

REGARDING LYMPHOEDEMA , CURRENTLY RESEARCHING INFORMATION ON LOW LEVEL LASER / INFRARED / OXYGEN THERAPIES

AND ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF BACTERIAL CONTROL.

ALL THIS FOR NO FINANCIAL REWARD AND IF IT CAN BENEFIT MY FELLOW SUFFERERS THEN I SAY SO - HEY !! ITS MY PERSONAL OPINION BUT I DONT OPEN MY MOUTH UNLESS I BELIEVE IT .

SO GALTYBOI WHAT DO YOU THINK ????????????????

goodtimes profile image
goodtimes in reply to

thanks for putting that big unimformed person in his place and thanks for the information you wrote..I have founnd that the wound clinic helps and crazy as it sounds I have put milk of magnesium on my legs to dry them up (sans infection) I do keep them elevated but weight is a problem as i also suffer from a thyroid condition and take a water pill with Pedialyte to insure losing minerals but only 2x a week..I pray that one day research will come out with a miracle my only Lymph nurse wrapped my legs too tight hurting me nore than helping as my legs hurt to the touch so I use long mens support hose and try to swim and massage them myself with a long toilet brush wrapped in soft material..thanks again for all your info...

in reply to goodtimes

THANKS FOR YOUR REPLY GOODTIMES - MORE INFO TO FOLLOW

Dodidoos profile image
Dodidoos in reply to

Bravo bravo...at last another believer in the need for Doctors to start to learn About all things lymphadema. As a mild but non the less sufferer of this terrible condition in so many ways made worse by ignorance of he much needed medical profession. You are a very clever man and you know what your talking about and if that previous poster had any brains he would be well advised to take in what you are telling him .😷

in reply to Dodidoos

THANKS DODIDOOS - I HAVE A LOT MORE INFORMATION ON THIS SUBJECT AND WILL POST IT AS IT COMES TO HAND

galtyboi profile image
galtyboi in reply to Dodidoos

I have brains ,just like you got and I do use them just like you do ,but everyone has a say just like you do,and I like to think my say matters just like yours not pushed aside like my input is a waste of time,I dont like having lymphedema but I got to deal with it same as you do ,but maybe I can't cope with it the same as you can so think on.who has brains I have brains and lymphedema tobgo with them which I did not want but now I have and got to put up with it whether I like it or not.

delady56 profile image
delady56 in reply to galtyboi

Hi! I just started reading the conversation and I became very interested. I'm from Texas, USA and have had Lymphedema for 25 years and have had every treatment, been in the hospital over 40 times with cellulitis that then gets sepsisl Then I quit counting how many times I have had C Diff. so I know a lot of everything. I have lost 2 husbands because of their being "embarrased" of my leg when I had on shorts or a swimsuit. I was always considered a "beautiful" girl but lymphedema has ruined my relationships, my self confidence and I don't remember the last time I wore shorts (mine is in my left leg from the toe to the hip).

How long have you had it and how did you get it? Who told you to wear so many garments and do you sleep in them, too? What medication are you using? I hope something for depression. Do you get treatments?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Susie

in reply to delady56

HI SUSIE - YOU HAVE HAD A ROUGH TIME . TO HAVE LYMPHO OF YOUR SERIOUSNESS AND BE ALONE , FEELING REJECTED ... JUST TERRIBLE .

A SHORT WHILE AGO MY PARTNER UNDERWENT A WEEK OF HOSPITALISATION AT THE [ 4HRS DRIVE FROM HOME ] PROVINCIAL BASE HOSPITAL LEAVING ME IN A NEARBY MOTEL TO COPE ALONE ... DEAR OH DEAR , HOPELESS COULD NOT GET THE COMPRESSION STOCKINGS ON - WOUND DRESSINGS IN PLACE- ITS TAKEN A LOT OF PAINKILLERS AND HER GOOD BANDAGING TO GET ME BACK .

I HAVE NOT WORN SHORT PANTS FOR 12 YEARS WHICH I THINK WOULD MAKE PEOPLE VERY HAPPY !!!

YOUR ADMISSION RECORD AND SEPSIS INCIDENTS AND C.DIFF [ CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE ] IS TRULY ALARMING .

SEPSIS [ OR SEPTIC SHOCK ]IS SERIOUS AND DATA FROM THE USA SHOWS A MORTALITY RATE OF 40 + % . IT CAN COME FROM A TOOTH EXTRACTION RIGHT THRU TO MAJOR SURGERY .

CONSTANT CELLULITIS PUTS YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM ON HIGH ALERT AND , I THINK GIVES IT A HAIR TRIGGER RESPONSE - ITS A MASSIVE OUTPOURING OF INFLAMMATORY PROTEINS

[ CYTOKINES ] SIGNALLED BY CELLS .

THE 19I8 PANDEMIC [ SPANISH FLU ] WAS OF SUCH VIRULENCE THAT IT KILLED MILLIONS GLOBALLY - MUCH OF THE DEATH RATE PROBABLY CAME FROM THE MASSIVE SEPTIC SHOCK ALONE .

I HAVE UNEARTHED SOME INFORMATION THAT CAME FROM CHINESE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE .

FROM POSSIBLY 5000 YRS AGO - THIS BLOCKS A PROTEIN THAT COMPLETES THE ONE / TWO PUNCH THAT MAKES SEPSIS SO DANGEROUS AND UNPREDICTABLE .

I AM LOOKING AT IT NOW AND WILL POST IT IF IT CAN HELP.

C.DIFF IS AN ENTERIC BUG AND CLOSE RELATIVE OF GAS GANGRENE AND TETANUS ORGANISMS.

ITS REACHING EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS IN US HOSPITALS .. BOWLING OVER CHRONICALLY ILL SENIORS IN PARTICULAR

ANTIBIOTICS WIPING OUT THE BENEFICIAL BUGS IN YOUR GUT AS WELL AS A HOST OF OTHER MEDS ARE IMPLICATED . IN PARTICULAR THE PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS PRESCRIBED FOR INDIGESTION AND SUNDRY OTHER GASTRIC PROBLEMS [ LOSEC ] THAT BELT THE NATURAL DEFENSE SYSTEM .. THE STRONG

HYDROCHLORIC ACID THAT PROTECTS YOU . IS DEPLETED .

AGAIN THERE MAY BE OTHER TREATMENTS THAT REDUCE HOSPITALISATIONS - FIGHT INFLAMMATION . PERFORM AS WELL AS

ANTIBIOTICS WITHOUT NASTY SIDE EFFECTS .

RAISE HEALTH IN GENERAL.

WISH U WELL

delady56 profile image
delady56 in reply to

I only take antibiotics when I am in the hospital or am on an IV out-patient treatment. I know all of the information you provided above since I have had the infection so many times and have studied it so much. Once I have cellulitis there is no other treatment for me because I start having a temperature increase, the redness in my leg turns into blisters from toes to waist and must be monitored and they rotate my antibiotics (I disagree with the antibiotics you mentioned above since Flucloxacillin has caused so many problems and dangerous side effects it is not recommended anymore and Cephalosporins have another set of problems) My doctors put me on a routine on Levaquin and rotate with Vancomycin, all IV and I have a portacath since all of my veins are blown. Then I go on a 7 day IV out patient treatment. This is IF I don't go into ICU which I usually do and they always have to do a bolus with fluids because my blood pressure drops so low. My children have thought I was going to die several times. I can't tell you how many times I have had c. diff which they put me on Flagyl because that is all they can give me at this point. I am very careful but I never know when it is going to hit!

No one is an expert on this especially the doctors so the best thing is to study the internet, talk on these websites, share information and help where we can but NEVER assume that one is more knowledgable than another or that one has the liberty to disrespect another person that may not be as knowledgeable as oneself. We all need help and I appreciate everyone on this site.

Dodidoos profile image
Dodidoos in reply to galtyboi

Hi yes I know how hard it is to live with this horrid thing,Yes we all have our opinions and they are valid I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend you in any way But I am also finding it hard to cope sometimes living with fear of infection having psoriasis makes it more likely to get infected so I'm paranoid about keeping my skin in the best cond I can,I also have Osteo arthrities which again causes itching with the inflamation I get so depressed with it all After being in and out of hospital...I'm hoping to hear some good news about how else we can keep ourselves free from infectionHope you do to.Best wishes.D.

superlympho profile image
superlympho

Tea soaks can take away foot odor. Maybe that could help. Also odor can mean infection. Is there any.medical person in your life? Cellulitis is not the only infection that LE brings. Are you using lotion? This may sound funny but non flavored.shortening could get those legs really soft. I had that kind of problem and putting a softening agent got rid of the discoloration (probably dead skin build up) and kind of relaxed my skin. After a week or two of lotion 3 a day. A lot of discoloration was gone. I have continued 2 day ever since. Hope this helps some.

WELL SAID SUPERLYMPHO - FOOT ODOUR CAN BE CAUSED BY HYDROGEN SULPHIDE PRODUCING BACTERIA - VERY DIFFICULT TO QUELL . TEA IS A GOOD CHOICE [ BLACK TEA ] ITS POLYPHENOL.TANNIN CONTENT INHIBITS AND KILLS ORGANISMS .COUPLED WITH GARLIC ITS A WINNER AS AN ALTERNATIVE SANITISER TO EXPENSIVE AND POSSIBLY ENVIRONMENTALLY UNSAFE , CHEMICAL COCKTAILS THAT ARE BASED ON MINERAL OILS AND BACTERIOCIDES ,

THIS COMBINATION HAS BEEN PROVED TO INHIBIT NASTY BUGS LIKE Psuedomonas Aurugenosa THAT CAN ASSUME DOMINANCE WHEN FREQUENT ANTIBIOTIC THERAPY THUMPS THE USUAL SUSPECTS VIS STAPHS AND STREPS - ITS VERY RESISTANT TO ALL BUT A FEW OF THE ANTIBIOTICS AND CAN BE WORRYING IN SEPSIS / SEPTICAEMIA .

I USE A KENYAN DARK " BOLD " TEA - BOIL THE KETTLE AND ADD 250 mls [ CUP ] TO 3 TEA BAGS AND STEEP FOR 5 MINS.....CONCURRENTLY PEEL OFF 6 JUICY GARLIC CLOVES CHOP UP TO ALLOW THE ALLICIN CONTENT TO MATURE OVER 3 MINS AND ADD TO TEA - STIR - STRAIN AND FILL A SQUIRT BOTTLE WITH FINE SPRAY ADJUST.

AFTER SHOWER SPRAY LEGS AND A LIGHT APPLICATION TO YOUR STERILE DRESSINGS .

I HAVE USED THIS NOW FOR 7 MONTHS - THE ULCERATION LOOKS CLEAN AND HAVE NOT NEEDED ANTIBIOTIC THERAPY DURING THIS METHOD TRIAL.

COLLOIDAL SILVER IS POPULAR WITH SOME FOLKS BUT ITS NOT UP TO THIS SITUATION... IF AT ALL.

I DOUSED FRESHLY WASHED LEGS WITH A 10 PPM SOLUTION , WENT TO MY MEDICAL CENTRE ... SWABS TAKEN .. THESE GREW 5 DIFFERENT PATHOGENIC BUGS .

HOPE THIS HELPS

boi , that really put me in my place - i own a cleaning business to finance our retirement and research- work

9 - 18 hrs / day 7 days a week and still find time to write all this crap - but read it anyway ...its free .

galtyboi profile image
galtyboi in reply to

Yes I have read. It and I sympathize with your plight,but you must understand.people do their best for other people .If somebody asks a question based on my experience I will answer them ,but I dont like to be told that I am talking wrong when I only told the person the truth based on my experience of what happened to me.Although you tell me that my illnes in nothing only dermatitis which is far from it because I wear two pairs of compression stockings not one which at this stage are starting to play me up and I find my temperment has changed also because I have gone from been a fit ex handball player to a total recluse who rarely goes outside the door,so you will understand my confidence is rock bottom.I do apoligise if I was hurtful to you I didnt mean to be or anyone else,I am only trying to do my best for other sufferers of lymphedema.you obviously are a very highly educated and well larned about lymphedema and what you said about what you went through is heartbreaking to say the least and I am sorry deeply ,but we are all on the same boat and we all try to help eachother but I am sorry if I upset you in any way and I apoligise with all my heart.

in reply to galtyboi

galtyboi we got off to a bad start and your apology is totally accepted and i hope for the best for you in this fight to keep sane amidst an apparently insoluble illness .hey !! you did not say you required that level of compression bandaging in your original post other than an infection , bandaging and some medication to get inflammation under control .

so we now find that you are one of us !!!!!

you say you were a sportsman and that since ld has struck you are reclusive and have a fair degree of loss of enjoyment of life , in general .

i have that too - i used to climb mountains - hunt deer.chamois.thar.ducks quail and fly-fish alpine lakes and gin clear rivers .

i was [ in between all that and work ] a party animal.

now i clean stuff , pay tax , do my information searches and have not been to a piss-up for about 12 years - and that does bother me at all all - lymphoedema is the new leprosy in a manner of speaking and it subconsciously causes self imposed exile - especially when you encounter , so called health professionals who are arrogant , cause humiliation , cause a worsening of your condition , are stupid to the extreme and may have unresolved issues in their life which impacts badly on any betterment of your life .

having a great partner in life who has the guts to look after you is a blessing - because you cant do it yourself !!!

ok mate lets get on with the job and there is a pint of real ale just waiting to be murdered .

all the best and in other posts i see some side issues that might just have a way out .

galtyboi profile image
galtyboi in reply to

Hi foal thankyou for been so understanding.I now know what a fantastic help you have been to fellow lymphies on this forum an I hope you wont mind accepting me as one of your students.There is so much I can learn from you and what you have said in your posts is 100% correct ,now that we are on the same boat I look forward to reading your posts and heading any advice you have to give on lymphedema which I will be truly gratful.Once again I apoligise if I have caused you any distress ,I can honestly say it was never my intention to hurt your feelings or anybodyelses in the forum,thankyou for been so understanding and for been a true gentleman.

in reply to galtyboi

No , you have not caused me any distress at all .There is latitude here for controversy as is in all medical issues because i believe the " one size fits all " approach simply does not work .

Unfortunately thats the way its all going - a pill for this followed by an antidote to mitigate the unwanted side effects of the original medication .

Big Pharma and big government win .

People react differently to treatment regimes , but rarely have the knowledge or the opportunity to make wise choices in the face of a bullying.pill oriented medical profession.

[ Not surgeons - they are great ]

Where does that leave us ? You only have to read the posts here to see that .

I trawl through a truckload of medically based information each day - from the most auspicious mainstream websites , journals and other publications to the crystal pyramid under the bed at the full moon - i make no judgement against a healing modality until its authenticity proves otherwise .

if there is something that works for all of us or i see a counterproductive element , then i will post it and encourage others to do the same .

There are side issues posted by members that are not helping them deal with their lymphoedema - panic attacks.thyroid problems ...... there is good information out there that does not require prozac.lorazepam or synthetic thyroid supplements.

A good website to look at is run by an American physician Dr Michael Greger MD.

He posts a treatment / medical issue - talks about it and runs a video - then he has an open forum populated by people of diverse medical thinking .

It can get quite heated at times - but somewhere in all that is the nearest you will get to a good medical solution .

I have gone on a bit as usual , so better sign off and wish Galtyboi and everyone a misery free day [ if that possible ]

galtyboi profile image
galtyboi in reply to

Please dont go ,im interested ,I got his name and will look him up and watch his videos.you dont go on ,I find your posts interesting,the longer the better ,its more and more I learn from you.I will be in touch when I see Dr Michael web page ,thankyou for letting me know about him Foal,see now im getting somewhere,keep those posts coming.

in reply to galtyboi

hey , the only time i will ever stop is when you hold a mirror near my mouth and no steam forms .

michael greger has never touched on lymphoedema [ perhaps unfortunately ] but serves as an example on how a group of likeminded people can bring helpful solutions to a problem , rather than an " expert " exerting a hazardous influence on

situation in need of effective remedy

And we dont have to look too far to see that happening in almost every aspect of healthcare . [ except surgeons ]

goodtimes profile image
goodtimes in reply to

thanks for giving me the Dr.'s name I will look him up. I have found some relief at the Massage school as they are learning and you become a study tool at very little charge and they do know about Lymph ..I also have had to stop swimming as I injured my back but there is a foot cycle that I have found on Craigs list so I am using that. I have also found some funny tv tapes to look at and it makes me laugh to get me in a good mood..I am trying to fill my day up as this disease will not win..thanks for your info and support, and yes we are all in this together.

in reply to goodtimes

HI GOODTIMES

ITS A PITY THAT MICHAEL GREGER AND

THE MANY OTHER EXCELLENT COMMENTATORS DONT SEEM TO HAVE TACKLED LYMPHO

I WILL POST A LIST OF MY TOP 10 INTEGRATIVE / ALTERNATIVE PRACTITIONERS - THEY ARE HUGELY INFORMATIVE AND CAN FILL YOUR DAY , SOMETIMES HORRIFYING YOU WITH EXPOSES OF THE CONTINUOUSLY INEPT AND CORRUPT MEDICINE YOU ARE FORCED TO ACCEPT , TRUSTINGLY .

BUT THE SPINOFFS ARE LIKE GOLD AS THEY ASSIST WITH YOU IN COPING WITH SIDE ISSUES THAT TREATMENT CAUSES ALONG WITH OTHER CONDITIONS YOU ARE BURDENED WITH.

Dodidoos profile image
Dodidoos

Hello their ...my cousin has the ulcers like you but I don't know what causes them to smell....unless it's just that the lymph fluid is responsible.

304473 profile image
304473

as Lynora advises, best you consult doctor soonest. I used to have open lesions and had to also go onto an antibiotic to assist with infection on hand as wound was not healing after i constantly dressed it. Antibiotic seemed to have assisted my wound greatly together with dressings. I react to elastoplast too thus resorted to micropore over my gauze dressings until wound healed nicely

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