I have been reading about Venaforce horse chestnut tablets and Venaforce gel andnwas wondering if any of you lovely people have heard of it o used it. It is primarily for the treatment of variscose veins but can also receive symptoms of tired heavy legs from swelling etc. There are some positive reviews online but I am a bit of a sceptic sonjust wanted some help from fellow sufferers before I decide to buy. I suffer from primary lymphoedema in both legs but just below the knee but have also had surgery for cervical cancer so the lymph system was compromised again. I have also had surgery for a varicose vein in my left leg.
I know of people who have tried it, but inevitably gave up after a few months as nothing much seemed to happen. It may be worth a try, as it should not do any harm. However, with the added complication of cancer treatment, I think it may not be as effective if it were just being used for venous problems. Do you wear compression? Have you had MLD?
Yes, I wear thigh length compression but have not had MLD. Last week whilst at my local clinic at the QMC in Nottingham, my nurse did speak about Liposuction as an option, but first she is going to order some farrow wraps to try. Can't say I was pleased as I hate wearing compression but I musn't let vanity get in the way! I know it's stupid and it's nothing I've done to get the condition but I still feel in some way responsible and embarrassed by the whole thing.
Sorry, didn't mean to off load that on you! Perhaps I'll try MLD as well. There is someone local to me.
I noticed you said about farrow wraps I have very badly swollen legs due to lymphoedema I hate them I have asked if they can let me have Juxta straps as I find are a lot better but they will not let me Juxta when they slip do not cut into skin but farrow wraps do causing cuts to legs my left leg had two massively big water blister caused by farrow wraps my right has a nasty cut where they have slipped and cut into skin the nurse says put plenty of padding under straps that does not work because when straps slip they take padding with them I heal this cut every time only for it to reopen
I have posted before but I just wanted to open up a discussion, to say that I feel it's okay for us to say that we don't like Lymphedema. I don't think anyone does. It's inconvenient, painful for some sufferers and definitely not nice to look at. Over the years, I've sometimes felt that I wasn't 'allowed' to say I didn't like it, that because there were others with worse symptoms than my own, it would be selfish of me to voice my opinion of my own condition. But, recent events have made me realise I don't have to become a martyr to it, and that we all have our own 'stuff'. This happens to be part of mine. And our individual 'stuff' is important to us, no matter what anyone else's 'stuff' looks like. So, even though someone in the community may have a far worse condition that my own, I want to say that I DON'T LIKE MY CONDITION! I also want to say that, although I don't like it, I haven't allowed it to debilitate me. In fact, it's changed my perspective somewhat. Please, read on...
I'm 53 and I've had Lymphedema for 13 years. I've never had slim ankles (thanks, Mum 🙄) but, the condition came about due to a plant sting, or insect bite on my right ankle in Jamaica back in 1986! The swellings appeared periodically from then on and became worse during my pregnancy in 1994, but decided to stay in the summer of 2003! The swelling is slight, compared to many sufferers. It doesn't hurt (but my whole foot can swell up and become a little uncomfortable and pitted in very hot weather) and I've never had to wear a compression garment long term, but I still don't like to see my ankle, or expose it. I wear trousers/jeans most of the time, and if I do wear a dress, it has to be a long one. If there's a slit in the dress, it has to be the left side, because I'm always conscious of my right ankle.
My point is that I am vain in this aspect of my life. But vanity be dammed and I'll say it out loud! I don't like the way it looks. I don't like the way I can no longer wear strappy, feminine looking shoes. I don't like that I don't want to show my legs - even in a calf length dress or capri pants - because one ankle looks disproportionately larger than the other! I don't like dreading summer, which I love, because my foot is possibly going to swell even more - and my toes and calves do, too. I don't like that the rest of my body looks good, because I exercise regularly, and my right ankle doesn't. I DON'T LIKE IT! There! I've said it again - and it felt good! And if that's vanity, dress me in a tutu, sprinkle me with fairy dust and call me Christmas! 👼🏾🌟🎄
BUT... I don't hate it, though... Funny, that. Here's why...
I've found ways to live with it - to work with it, and make it work FOR me. I've found, exercise really helps. I used to do outdoor training sessions three times a week. Loved it. But I discovered Ceroc 💃🏾 in the New Year (a Christmas present from my partner 🤗) and we dance the night away twice a week. And sometimes at weekends. It's so much fun!
This condition has forced me to eat healthier foods, exercise more (because I know it would be worse for me if I didn't), reassess my general appearance, my style of clothing, my use of make up (which I hardly ever wore!) and footwear. It has forced me to look after myself in ways I may not have done had Lymphedema not decided to become a permanent fixture in my life back in 2003. in fact, I'm more sparkly and colourful now than I ever was back then. I still miss the strappy shoes, but the alternatives can be just as 'sexy'.
And so, onwards and upwards, as they say. Life is going to happen with, or without me. So I might as well live (and love) on and do it to the best of my ability.
Thanks Colette. Just what I needed to read and appreciate my life. I have had Lymphedema for 20 years I am 70 now and I hate the condition and those parts of my body (waist down). Also really relate to the strappy shoes dresses etc. BUT I decided to get on and get a grip on my life. I play tennis 5 days a week walk my dog and go to the gym(not very willingly!!!). There are some social events I choose to miss and being honest it's due to the ugly condition and what I can wear but that's my choice. Not many of my friends really understand what it is I have but it can be so boring trying to explain, again my choice. I used to go to Greece for the whole summer, skiing in the winter and riding and water sports. Not possible now but how lucky am I to have done this and been there. Of course there are the grumpy times when I hate the legs etc. and I know that's ok. No one else can help me move on it's up to me.
I'm so happy I was able to help. Your experience is exactly what I'm talking about. Every time I'm able to carve out some beauty in my situation, it's a bonus. And, over the years, I've been managing to find more and more. I'll never be at ease with my lymphedema because, as you already know, I DON'T LIKE IT! But I'll never let it define me. As you've said, it's up to us.
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