Reducing leg above the knee

[rexygirl]

Hi Everyone,

No matter what I do, my upper leg never seems to respond as well as my lower leg. I eat clean, bike, walk, do MLD twice monthly, self massage, wear compression during the day and night garments. I also use the flexitouch a couple of times a week. Can anyone offer advice ? I really want to reduce the waddle, as I call it, on my thigh !

[Lynora]

Just one thigh? What form of lymphoedema? Have you asked your lymphoedema therapist the same question? Is your buttock affected on the same side?

[rexygirl in reply to Lynora]

My lymphedema is in my right leg, toes to groin and buttock area. It just appeared one day at age 40 (22 years ago). I'm going to a new therapist next week, I'll see what she has to offer. I hate the extra bulge at the top of my leg. It's like a little muffin top above my thigh high stocking.

[naominorthenellis in reply to rexygirl]

Surely if it affects your groin and buttock area you should be wearing a pair of unilateral tights - not a thigh high stocking. I recommend that you speak to your new therapist about getting the correct garment for your specific needs. NNE

[rexygirl in reply to naominorthenellis]

I agree with you and I do have elvarex shorts to wear over the stocking. The next fitting I have for garments, I will be getting the elvarex pantyhose. They are god awful confining though

[naominorthenellis in reply to rexygirl]

Oh I know - but you can get black too I think. Good luck.

[ponygirl]

Sorry to read of your challenge. I can empathise as my right thigh is similarly stubborn and reduction has been much less effective there than my left leg and lower leg for the last seven years.

I can only encourage you to keep at the exercise and healthy lifestyle. I have recently achieved some further reduction to my thigh after years of trying and I attribute this to a combination of things. Some ‘red light treatment’ on the thigh by my Lymphoedema nurse to soften the tissue; starting to use a Juzo lymphpad inside my stocking in the thigh area to increase pressure there; increasing my exercise regime with the help of a Fitbit tracker plus healthy eating which has all led to weight loss (7 lb) and a perceived reduction in my thigh area... I looking forward to being remeasured at clinic to see what physical reduction I have there, I reckon a good inch at least. As I did all of these things in the last 6 months I can’t tell which ones did the trick but at last I have some hope that I am making progress.

I hope this helps and wish you every success with your reduction efforts....it is so worth it in the end.

[rexygirl in reply to ponygirl]

Thanks for the encouragement - I'm on a mission with the diet and exercise also ! I notice increased swelling right after exercise, but when I wear the night garment ,I'm up to the bathroom several times getting rid of it ! I know what you mean about trying a combination of things and not being sure of which one is making the difference !

[Jeanne53]

Have you tried chinese medicine ? It's not instant but its been helping me and others dramatically reduce lymphedema. You would probably be a good candidate because you are staying healthy--it may not work long term unless people commit to a good diet, and staying very active. But it has helped me minimize the lymphedema so I don't have to wear compression, or elevate, or do self massage or MLD. Not instant but it is a safe and potentially long term fix. Not many people know about it but I started a blog about it and have been hearing from more and more people that it IS working, so it is exciting.

[Karenlr56 in reply to Jeanne53]

This sounds interesting.. What's your blog?

[Jeanne53 in reply to Karenlr56]

Hi....we're over here: fightlymphedema.com/.

[rexygirl in reply to Jeanne53]

Thanks Jeanne ! I actually have commented on your blog and seeing a TCM doctor is on my list of things to explore next. Thank you !

[Jeanne53 in reply to rexygirl]

Best of luck...fingers crossed you get results too!!!!