Lymphoedema and exercise wearing compression stockings. Is it advisable?

[BedfordBoy]

Hi all, I have bilateral lymphoedema and have progressed from home exercise to joining a gym. When I've exercised at home I don't normally wear my stockings and my legs don't swell up any more than they are already. But since joining the gym, I've noticed that my left leg , which is the worst one, actually swells a bit. It doesn't really hurt anymore than normal but I'm wondering if I should be wearing the stockings during the work out. I've almost doubled the exercise time that I had at home which gives me some satisfaction but I am somewhat embarrassed by the look of my legs, particularly with strangers. At home I just used to wear shorts, and at the gym I've been wearing track bottoms. The problem is that wearing the stockings under the track bottoms is very uncomfortable and tight fitting.

So I'm contemplating wearing my shorts with the stockings but is it safe? Somebody told me that you shouldn't restrict your legs and blood flow as it's dangerous.

Anybody else had this problem?

[naominorthenellis]

Hi,

you should always wear your compression when exercising - it will help to support your lymphatic system and prevent the swelling you are experiencing when not wearing your garment to exercise - your compression garment won't restrict blood flow, in fact it will give your circulatory system a boost.

Well done for joining the gym. Along with your compression garment, regular exercise should help control the swelling !

NNE

[BedfordBoy in reply to naominorthenellis]

Hi NNE, thanks for the advice, I'll try this and see how I get on.Yes, joining a gym was a big step to take financially, also it has given my confidence a bit of a lift, as I had become very self conscious about my legs. I don't like people looking at me , but I realise that to overcome the anxiety I have to reduce the size of my legs in any way possible.

Back in the gym Monday then !

[CCT67]

Always wear your compression while exercising otherwise you risk exacerbating your lymphoedema owing to the strain on the lymphatics

[BedfordBoy in reply to CCT67]

Hi cct67, Thanks for the advice, I'll be wearing them in the gym now!

[Perido]

Definite yes to wearing compression when exercising, with the exception of swimming where the water pressure serves as compression.

With any exercise, my nurse advised me to build up intensity gradually and monitor the effects which might not show until the day after. Too much exercise can overload the lymph system and make swelling worse. Too little exercise leads to poor lymph flow which isn't good for lymphoedema. It's a question of balance, pardon the pun.

It's great you're feeling better for joining the gym: money well spent.

[BedfordBoy in reply to Perido]

Hi Period,Thanks for the advice. I have been slowly increasing the exercise and I'm gaining more confidence now. If the gym shrinks my legs down it'll definitely be money well spent!

[LadyL07]

well done for going to the gym and upping your exercise you’re doing all the right things. Ask at your lymphoedema clinic if they are able to prescribe you compression leggings as a lot of them will prescribe these for female patients. My clinic doesn’t prescribe them anymore however they do recommend a couple of companies to try but I’ve checked and can’t see anything made for men on these sites. That said if you weren’t go to a specialist sports company such as GymShark, maybe under armour or anywhere selling items for triathletes etc (not Shein, Temu etc who are the first companies that come up when googling) you’ll find that they sell compression garments for men that are specifically designed for sport. Because these are like a second skin if you are very self conscious you could wear shorts over the top. That said I’m very large and previously found that when going to the gym or pool most people are so wrapped up in how they look and what they’re doing that they don’t actually look at anyone else. Keep up the great work you’re doing

[BedfordBoy in reply to LadyL07]

Hi LadyL07,Thanks for the advice. My lymphoedema nurse isn't very good in my opinion. Previously she messed up my leg measurements and the stockings wouldn't even go over my wife's legs,and she's got slim legs!

She ordered some more and I'm not convinced that they're any different, so I bought my own from Amazon, which I'm happy with.

You may be right about people too wrapped up with their own image to notice me. Quite a few younger people in the gym are busy taking selfies and posting them!

I'll keep on trying with my Amazon stockings!

[On_porter]

I’ve been going to the gym for years (with lymphoedema in all 4 limbs / chest / stomach). Have always worn compression with some looser fit trackies. No issues at all.

I also highly recommend getting in the pool!

[BedfordBoy in reply to On_porter]

Hi On_porter,Thanks for the advice.

Good to know you've no issues with the stockings and exercise.

Swimming is something else I need to start doing too, the last time I swam was about 8years ago and I had no confidence. I used to swim fine as a kid when I had no lymphoedema!

[On_porter in reply to BedfordBoy]

I used to be able to do 30 lengths with lymphoedema then chest problems came about so it’s hard now. But if you can find a pool you can walk the length of, without swimming, it’s still definitely worth it!

[DeborahS32]

I know what you mean about being self conscious. For the first 18 months or so after becoming symptomatic I only ever wore full length skirts. Then I decided to tough it out and just wear my usual clothes with my full length stocking fully on show. Not a thing of beauty, but I’ve never looked back. And in fact it’s sparked a few conversations both with other lymphies glad to see they’re not alone, and curious others - an opportunity to provide information about lymphoedema. I’m fortunate that mine is pretty stable and not a massive impairment, provided I walk and exercise plenty.

Well done with the gym, and just enjoy yourself!

[BedfordBoy in reply to DeborahS32]

Hi DeborahS32,Thanks for your encouraging words, it gives me a good feeling knowing that others have been there too with a good outcome!

[Andy13]

I probably was a little embarrassed when I first had too wear compression 35 years ago but that soon passed and in all that time only one person actually commented on it and he was a **** anyway so does really count. In fact these days I'm more at ease wearing shorts and compression in the gym than in the street. As for taking compression off when exercising I always wear some except when swimming. At the moment I wear a compression stocking and a circaid and remove the circaid when exercising otherwise my leg gets too hot.

[BedfordBoy in reply to Andy13]

Hi Andy13,Thanks for your advice, I feel like I really have nothing to be embarrassed about now. As you say , any negative comments or looks are probably from t**ts anyway! Off to the gym with more confidence now!

[GrannyTWest]

Hi BedfordBoy, I see you have loads of useful advise so I'll simply add one more thing - Take a look at Lymphoedema Support Network website it gives loads of up to date and verified information. Good luck

[BedfordBoy in reply to GrannyTWest]

Hi Granny TWest,Thank you for the advice, I'll have a look.👍