newbie here cortisol injection and lymphodema

[Purplelover94]

hi everyone. I joined this group yesterday after seeing a pertinent post on here. I was diagnosed with lymphodema in 2015 . I was born with spina bifida and walking is difficult but more so in recent years. Last December I suddenly couldn’t put any weight on my right leg and after months of different professionals looking at it , I was finally diagnosed with arthritis in my right knee. 2 weeks ago after being in horrendous pain when trying to walk, I was given a cortisone injection in my right knee. It really helped my knee but to my surprise my lymphodema has totally disappeared! I just wanted to ask if this has happened to anyone else and how long they were lymphodema free for? There is another thread about this but it’s 10 years old so thought this would be a good thing to make my first post about .

[Lynora]

Welcome Purplelover94

Yes, steroids are ‘magic’, but for lymphoedema sufferers, sadly not a cure. It will do wonders for your joints, but you might notice the lymphoedema creeps back. Are you under the care of a lymphoedema clinic?

[mooble]

I was diagnosed with Lymphoedema by my Doctor years ago. He told me that there was no cure. I ignored him and did all the recommended things for plain oedema. Elevation and wraps mainly. Three months later I woke up and the Lymphoedema was gone!! My doctor said it was impossible but agreed that it had gone! Might be worth a try. Good Luck

[Keb22]

Hi Purplelover94, I have had a similar experience, I have had arthritis for years and lymphoedema in my left leg after cancer treatment in 2022, I had a steroid injection for my arthritis and my lymphoedema went down but I got cellulitis shortly after and they said it might have partly been to the injection lowering my immune system and won’t give me anymore which is gutting as I do think the steroid helped my lymphoedema so there must be something in it.