Blisters

[Prycey]

Hi. I'm into my second summer of lower limb mild lymphoedema as a result from womb cancer. For the second week running now having walked a bit futher than usual in a bid to get fitter I have got blisters at the top of my stocking tops where the sticky bit is! . I had thought it was my new stockings but the second time around I wore my old ones. I have just finished antibiotics as my doctor suspected I had the start of cellulitis on my 'bad' leg. The odd thing is both times its been on my' better 'leg. I'm guessing I need to get in contact with the lyphodema nurse ?My work is physically demanding as I'm a senior care worker so Id of thought I'd of got them last year. My feeling is my lymphoedema has changed does that happen? I do find it scary and lonely.

[Lynora]

Hi Prycey - have you tried skin glue to hold the stocking on the legs at the top? Even with a silicone top, they sometimes need help. If the skin is not in good condition at the moment, and you still have blisters, don't wear the garment until the skin has fully healed. Keep it clean and dry, and apply some cream like Savlon. Give your clinic a call tomorrow and let them know what is happening. It may be that you might be more comfortable in something like compression tights.

[Prycey in reply to Lynora]

Thank you. I've got compression tights but just don't get on with them. I think the hot weather doesn't help so will be giving the nurse a call tomorrow.

[Sundance]

I have had problems with what I think are friction burns caused by exposed skin rubbing against the top of the stocking. I now have longer length stockings that pull up right into my groin. I also use skin glue to ensure stockings remain in place. I definitely don't walk wearing a skirt.

[Prycey in reply to Sundance]

I'll look into skin glue but I think the hot weather doesn't help. As for wearing a skirt walking it's far to risky.

[SuBee1]

See your nurse. Perhaps you are becoming intolerant of the sticky bit.

[Perce74]

Hi!

I did have this problem but rubbed a lot of sudocrem into my legs on the parts of the silicone tops!

You are not really supposed to let the materials come into contacts with creams but I rubbed the sudocrem in well!

Luckily this has stopped ( for now anyway)

I have sensitive skin snd sometimes the compression stockings irritate my legs terribly!

Maybe your lymphedema nurse will have a good solution but I know it is miserable when this happens best of luck x

[Prycey in reply to Perce74]

Well its good to know I'm not unique.

I do get red marks which I've told the nurse about last time I saw her and she put it down to the heat as it never happened in the winter. I'll give the sudocream a go.

Thank you

[Lynora]

Are your feet/ankles affected? Would leggings be more appropriate?

[CCT67]

Hi Prycer

You aren't alone!

I also have leg Lymphoema in both legs (lower and upper). I have one leg that is severe while the other is mild/moderate. Like you, my 'better' leg is the one that has had cellulitis. I had it last April for no reason that was obvious to myself or GP. It covered my left leg from knee to groin. I was also surprised cellulitis didn't appear in my 'bad' leg as I thought if I were to get it it would be in my bad leg.

I do think LE limbs change/worsen over time - the medical research reflects this, too. The disease progression can be slowed to sone extent using a combination of interventions - an essential one is completing regular daily self/simple manual lymphatic drainage/MLD as well as going to a professional MLD therapist (if you have to one locally that you can access).

If you need any sign posting to very good internet MLD instruction videos for legs just let me know. There are a lot of dodgy instructional videos on the web, but also a few by a qualified therapist that provides proper instruction on diaphramatic breathing and drainage technique. She goes through everything slowly and methodically since doing it properly is essential. Perhaps you are already sorted with your MLD but it seems a lot of Lymphies have not been given any advice how to help move fluid up and out of our legs.

Tate care

Cat

[sammyvan in reply to CCT67]

Hi Cat, hope you don't mind me jumping in here, but I would be very interested in watching videos / learning how to do MLD to help my legs. I also have Lymphoedema in both legs, top and bottom. Had a spell in hospital in March due to Cellulitis- three weeks incentive course on two antibiotics. Horrible experience! Since coming out I have been blessed in having a truly wonderful team of District nurses looking after me, who have managed to get support for me, and I now have my legs in support ''wraps'' including bandaging my feet.

I would really like to learn ( if possible) how to help the whole process of getting the lymph moving, by practising MLD.

Any help would really be appreciated.

Regards, Sammyvan

[CCT67]

Hi Sammyvan

So sorry to hear about your cellulitis but great to hear the district nurses have been attentive.

If you go on the MLDUK website you can search for MLD therapists that may be local to where you live in the UK. I'm in Surrey and there are a handful here. Generally, it's not a therapeutic approach that's widely known about or practised - although it is sometimes called massage it couldn't be more different than what most people think of when hearing the word massage!! It's more of a technique than massage. The pressure used is that of stroking a cat - very light manipulation of the skin as lymphatic vessels are tiny vessels just under the skin's surface. Each Lymphatic vessel is much thinner than a single strand of human hair!! Ensure you are only ever treated by a therapist fully qualified to do MLD. The MLDUK site vets them quite robustly before putting them on their database

And as for working on yourself to get lymph moving up your legs, the links below include proper diaphragmatic breathing (the diaphram is part of the lymphatic system) and Simple MLD for your legs.

Always start any MLD session with breathwork and a drain of your trunk/upper body, before drawing fluid from your legs into your trunk to drain. I do lots of diaphramatic breathing periodically throughout the day - once you learn how to do it lying on your back you can then learn to do standing upright and while walking.

These videos have been made by an American MLD therapist. I can't find any similarly thorough videos by UK therapists. The video is the bottom of each page:

blog.massagebyheather.com/l...

blog.massagebyheather.com/a...

blog.massagebyheather.com/s...

It takes time and practice to learn....stick to it your legs will thank you!

Take care

Catherine

[CCT67]

Hi Sammyvan

Here's another link you may find useful!

lymphedemablog.com/2011/01/...