Gym versus leg lymphoedema

[304473]

Hi all,

This is my first time on this site. I have never before attended a gym however, I have always maintained a good diet and physical health through a healthy lifestyle. However, in terms of no longer affording MLD which is much needed, I may as well start gym which is much cheaper. Which exercises other than swimming are considered beneficial for lymphoedemic leg at the gym?

[Lynora]

Is there a sports therapist at the gym you want to use? There are a few options, but might be better to get input from someone who is trained to advise. Does the gym have a pool?

[304473 in reply to Lynora]

Hi Lynora, yes there is a swimming pool but and I am yet to approach the gym and will seek advise if their is a personal trainer for me.

[Jennymary]

I'm in the West country and at the leisure centre where I work we have a cancer rehab exercise scheme, also a GP exercise referral scheme, may be worth seeing if there's anything similar in your area, good luck

[304473 in reply to Jennymary]

thank you, I will enquire soon.

[River83]

I tend to find that anything that doesn't involve too much impact is beneficial. Cycling (indoor or out), rowing, elliptical machine etc. It's also worth doing some strength training on the leg. I find that this helps as well. I would make sure that you are wearing your compression garment whilst doing all of this.

Also, you mention you have a good diet, does it contain much by way of refined sugar or carbohydrate? Have a look into LCHF or Keto as this is also something that I have found to have a massive impact on keeping swelling to a minimum.

[304473 in reply to River83]

Thank you. I wear my compression stocking throughout the day and cannot do without it unfortunately, thus will need keep it on throughout exercise too. Thank you for the advise on strength training. Will that include lifting weights with that leg as I have been cautioned about lifting heavy things in general due to my lymphoedemic leg.

As for my diet, I cook with no oil and am not a lover of salty nor sugary foods. I prefer my vegetables and other as natural as possible. I love banana's and citrus fruit, especially lemons thus lemons from my tree are never wasted but worth me looking into LCHF or Keto as you mention. Hoping this will assist with reducing swelling.

[River83 in reply to 304473]

Good luck, and yes, I find that including weights (even light ones) will assist in keeping the swelling down. The muscles pumping seems to have a knock on effect with moving the lymph fluid.

[sharon1234 in reply to River83]

May I ask what is keto? Many thank sharon

[River83 in reply to sharon1234]

Keto is short for ketogenic. It’s a way of eating that keeps carbs at around 20-50g per day. It’s extremely anti inflammatory and helps keep swelling down.

[sharon1234 in reply to River83]

Is it a tablet you take because I am willing to try anything to get my swelling down as I wear two class 3 stockings on the one leg at the same time and it is very very very tight but it still manages to swell. Soon as I stand up my left leg gets very heavy my doctor says it's a weight of two toddlers my right leg is ok. Any advice and help would be so helpful

[River83 in reply to sharon1234]

It’s a type of diet. Low carb, high fat. Basically you stop eating carbs and get your energy from fat. No bread, pasta, rice, sugars etc. Lots of green leafy veg, avocados, nuts, eggs, steak etc. Google keto diet and there is an endless amount of info available.

[buddlia12]

walking on treadmill, cycling, steps, cross trainer. Nordic walking outdoors s another excellent activity for leg oedema.

[304473 in reply to buddlia12]

thank you for recommendation. am enquiring gym facilities now as not safe walking in our areas anymore.

[sharon1234 in reply to buddlia12]

I find been on my feet it makes my lymphedema in my left leg a lot worse as soon as I stand up my leg gets bigger and bigger and bigger has the lymph fluid will go away in and it can't get back out until I lay down

[buddlia12 in reply to sharon1234]

Have you had a vascular assessment? There may also be some venous incompetence. Are you garments round or flat knit?

[sharon1234 in reply to buddlia12]

Flat knit they are made to measure ones. Yes I have varicose veins but they won't do anything about it because I have lymphedema and it will make the lymphedema worse they reckon. But I wish they would

[AnneBury]

Wearing compression while exercising is recommended. It is about the compression providing a strong elasticated layer which assists the lymph move/ pump around. However, not usually needed in the water (eg swimming) as the weight of the water produces the same effect.

[304473 in reply to AnneBury]

thank you for reminder Anne.

[greens42]

Why not swimming? You get pressure therapy just being in the water and then all round non impact exercise and you don't get hot and swetty. Public pools have private changing rooms (David Lloyds are poor on that) and I wear lycra cycle shorts under my swimsuit which provides a bit of compression and looks better than my rather misshapen legs. Failing swimming then biking is good. You can go out in the fresh air for that if you do not fancy a gym