Hi Everyone!
I'm in my 30th year of having lymphoedema, and am almost 80. Having campaigned during the last 15 years or so on behalf of all UK sufferers, and now that the op is available through the NHS, I am thrilled that I myself will have the initial between-toes injection on Feb 7th, but if I'm found to be eligible for the tying-in of lymphatics with veins later on, I'm wondering how much and for how long I might be incapacitated afterwards. I live alone and have a much-loved cat for which I should have to make care arrangements, but one of my daughters lives nearby, with her family, and would want to help. If any readers would like to say how they managed immediately after this op., I would appreciate any suggestions and observations they make,so that I can make plans to cover myself and those around who might be involved with me.
Thank you.
Jude4
It was my 'anniversary' with lymphedema yesterday
How do i stop my Pressure stocking Digging in during the night on the side of the foot.
I am at last wearing Farrow wraps
Should I stop compression treatment now that my leg has reduced in size so much?
I wish you well and hope you are found to be a good candidate to have LVA. I can’t offer advice as I have not had the procedure but I believe the OLP website does explain it. I am hoping to be referred for an ICG but my GP is not hopeful. I live in Cheshire and was not aware that NHS are offering this treatment. Can I ask where you live, as this may help my request. I have had primary LE for almost 50 years and after long last it is great that some new treatments are becoming accessible.
Hi Mike,
Thanks for your EM and good wishes. I hope you, too, manage to get your treatment. I thought 30 years were far too many, but your 50 must really get you down! I guess you may have been a child when your primary LE began, and may have been difficult to understand, and to talk about to others.
This LVA has only just become available on the NHS, and at a very few hospitals. I live outside Norwich, and will have to go to Chelmsford for treatment, on 7th Feb. I run a small lunch group for women with LE, and one of these ladies, who happens to be on the local hospital medical staff, told me about this new development at our meeting a couple of months ago. I applied to my own doctor for support, and was referred almost immediately. He checked out my medical history with them, and the only box I didn't tick was my weight, some of which is of course in my leg! So I'm working hard to redress this aspect. As leader of the above group, I've campaigned for some years to get at least a permanent LE service here, and if I am able to have the LVA op., I feel it will afford just a little more knowledge and experience to those who perform it, which could be useful for future patients. I'm 80 in April, and am assured that one's age has nothing to do with the situation, so here's hoping!
With regard to your own situation, have you investigated the possibilities by applying direct to the LSN? I have found them extremely helpful over the years, right from their beginning, having joined, as it turned out, on their very first day.
So keep trying and hoping, and pushing for something to be done,and don't give up!