Is it lymphoedema?

[luciemayer]

Hi there!

I had a thromboectomy on 26 Feb 2018. I was told it would help heal the thrombosis faster. Well, it has, sort of. My foot and leg are still swollen, and when I change position, the oedema shifts according to gravity! I've never seen oedema act that way. I have pockets of oedema that make my skin rigid on my foot (the worst) leg and lower thigh. It's a bit painful, but nothing to act upon. I've been in a wheelchair for a year and a half, after a fall from weakened legs (neuropathy?) and a silly prescription (muscle relaxant!!)

My DR is useless, he says it's just swelling, that I should remove salt and reduce my water intake. Meanwhile, my non-thrombosis leg is unaffected.

I have a pedal exercise thing, with which I exercise 30 minutes 5x/week. Swelling on both feet is worse after, but reduces when I put my feet up. I also have physio twice a week to get me back walking ASAP. That's slow, but there's been improvement.

I'm treating Type 2 Diabetes with nutrition, vegan, as close to the plant as possible and no fat. A1C was down to 5,1% in October, back to 6,9% during thrombosis, and 3 months after -ectomy was back at 6%. Going in next week, hoping to be back in the 5s.

Does any of this make sense to any of you? I see my numbn*ts, oh pardon, my Dr next week, and I'd like to be prepared for his incompetence... And no, I can't change Drs...

I am grateful for any help you can provide.

Many thanks!

Lucie

[Lynora]

It may still be post-operative oedema. Are you having to wear compression garments? What does your physio say?

Are you in the UK? I’m puzzled why your GP is suggesting you reduce water intake. With a vegan lifestyle I can’t imagine your salt intake is high. Are you on diuretics? Blood thinners?

[luciemayer in reply to Lynora]

Hi Lynora, Thank you for your reply. My physio would like me to wear compression garments, I have socks, but they are too tight. With them on, I can hardly breathe... As I am in a wheelchair, I keep my legs elevated. My other leg isn't swollen at all.

I'm in Canada. I agree with you that my salt intake isn't very high, and I do have to eat "salty" once in a while. That doesn't cause swelling.

I am not on diuretics. My GP wants me on them, but I refuse. My kidneys are fine and I don't want to "try and see what happens".

I am on a blood thinner, Coumadin (taro-warfarin?) 7,5mg, save for 2 nights on 5mg.

[Lynora in reply to luciemayer]

Coumadin has a number of side effects - one is oedema. Has your pharmacist told you to avoid certain veggies while you are on it?..

[luciemayer in reply to Lynora]

OMG! Coumadin causes oedema?! No one told me that. As for a list of restrictions for veggies, yes, I've been informed. I've also stressed that being a vegan, I cannot comply with their idea of eating veggies... I mean what am I going to do with 4 brussels Sprouts? So I eat to my heart's content and they prick me every 2 weeks. Yesterday my RIN was 2,45 so I celebrated with a big bold of chinese lettuce, with avocado/lime/cannabis leaf dressing.

I am gutted about Coumadin. The DR who took me off Fragmin in December, which resulted in the thrombosis in February, really did a number on my life.

Thank you for your help. I was told I was on Coumadin for a year, then it would be something less invasive. I'm going to ask my MD next week about changing meds right away.

[Lynora in reply to luciemayer]

Do you included oils like olive and coconut in your diet? The lymphatics do need it to help function. You could try natural diuretics like dark leafed lettuce, dandelion, cucumber and parsley - watermelon too. If you have access to a natural health shop, hawthorn extract and green and hibiscus teas, which have long been used for ‘water retention’!

[luciemayer in reply to Lynora]

Hi again!

I can't have any oils, as they are too calorie dense. 1 tsp of olive oil, and I'm done with calories for a day or two. Staying away from oils is how I get my blood glucose to act properly, how I increase my insulin sensitivity, thus reversing T2 diabetes. Before this unfortunate thrombosis, I had no more T2D symptoms, my A1C was 5,1%, normal BP, normal cholesterol, weight going down.

In summer, I live for watermelon, dandelion is always my best friend, and I make a great parsley dip (with lemon, nutritional yeast and water for texture adjustment), but yes, maybe I could eat more. I'll try that, although parsley is one of the "forbidden" foods.

Just exercised for 20 minutes, pedalling. Now, legs up, waiting for the oedema to settle, so I can try and walk a bit, again.

Thank you for your advice! I don't ever get that much from my GP!