How do other people manage working? I was a carer for 11 years but had to pack in as now have lymphoedema in left arm. .

[butiinside]

Have re-trained in admin work, but typing is painful after a while. Had to leave last job due to thisI am allergic to kinesiotape and do not have enough fluid in lower arm to wear a support bandage. Fluid gathers in armpit and round my back. I also have to pace myself with the housework. I used to really enjoy physical work, much more than office work. Luckily I can still walk and talk with no adverse effects!

[alfie19]

We are repeatedly told to look after ourselves and we know what is best for us so when we need to rest and have our legs elevated above the waist then thats what we need to do and to wear our support compression stockings Drs. GPs. people, job centre and employers should respect this. After all its our body not theirs. Our body tells us what we need to do to ease the pain and discomfort. Why should we struggle?

[norberte]

hi butinside

scary, isn't it? i had to pack my job in too & after 2 years i've built up to doing 10 hours a month!!

by the time we've put the garments on properly, stretched, done sld, been for a swim, wrestled garments back on to post-swim-damp arms (d'you remember trying to get the american tan tights back on after school swimming trips? i thought those days were over!) it's nearly time for more sld & bed

but the bills need paying

i don't know what yor finances are like but have you applied for employment support allowance? somewhere like macmillan has a good helpline for that minefield

& i wear a corset as well as sleeves & gloves - would it be worth talking that through with your lymphoedema team? they come up quite high under the arms so help with the swelling there

[Lruk]

This is such a difficult issue. I personally simply cannot afford to not work and my job does not allow me to put my feet up or rest, it is simply not practical. I love my job and would be hard to find another that pays as well so when the choice comes it will simply have to be work first.

[lovesradio]

Hi butinside, good advice above from norberte re looking to macmillan helpline to guide you through steps to ESA. I also have lymphoedema in left arm and hand so wear a light compression sleeve and glove. Might be an idea to talk again with your physio to see if you can get a solution or at least one that lessens the pain you experience when typing. That might allow you to keep on working. Good luck.