Today I had a lymphedema eval at therapy where I go twice a week for 'lymphatic drainage massage'....very gentle and very! Effective. I'm in my 10th week of appointments. Today the therapist measured the rib cage, stomach 🥵, thighs, and about every three inches down to my toes. The extreme heaviness of my legs is pretty well gone; at least lightened considerably. My right leg had not gone down too much, but the left had improved quite a bit. At least in my case, the legs are not huge just heavy, dense feeling and very thin-skinned.
I'll start wearing a tighter compression piece of my feet, and velcro wraps from knee to ankle. Therapy is also ordering me a pair of compression shorts... I can't wait to see those beauties...much less feel them. I hope I can tug them up~!!
Because the therapy is helping, I'm eligible for another six weeks, a private USA insurance plan. At my age, I think my insurance weighs the least expensive option, which at 81, everything they can to keep you out of a care facility.
I wanted to share positive results for anybody else trying to manage this too💖
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Grammy80
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Hi, Grammy. Good to hear there has been some improvement. You do make me smile! Will you be sending us a pic of you in your compression shorts? -that's if you can get them up 😉. Xx
I hope you get them soon. Christmas presents sent to our son and daughter-in-law several years ago resulted in son's ending up in Barbados!!! Still there for all we know!
Legs look a hell of a lot better than mine did when I was on high doses of Pred - they often bled profusely. Eased off considerable on low doses. They are just 'blotches' now.
Hope you get on with the compression things - I often have to remove them because of pain.
So true, Constance. Yesterday, he put a comfortable compression sock on and then a Velcro wrap. After about 6 hours my calves were in pain. I've ordered socks that have compression in the feet but not above the ankle. So, I'll try that as the understocking and then I think it is trial and error finding the right balance of compression. I wonder, are the pains from the venous insufficiency and nothing to do with the lymph system? I must ask next time.
It really isn't bad at all when you see positive change. It is amazing, my arch can be puffy and after about 1/2 hour of hands-on therapy, it is gone. 💖
I HAD TO WAIT SIX WEEKS , AS THER WAS SO MUCH MEDICARE AND MY PRIVATE INSURANCE PAPERWORK COMPLETED JUST RIGHT BY MY DOCTORS THE NAME OF MY UNIT IS TACTILE ENTRE AND I LOVE IT!!!
That is the same unit I have, Calicojoy~!! It sure does make a difference and I'm so happy you have it. I have the two legs and shorts. Actually, I'm going to call the rep to come out and show me how I can better assist my husband in putting it all on. He does make it harder for himself because he is so particular ('bout everything). One day we tried the legs without the shorts but it is programmed for everything...no shorts, no compressor, no massage.
Physical Therapy where I go has a Lympedema treatment area. Since I never had it before I don't know if that is common. After just a few weeks of massage...Tactile came in, thankfully.
WE ARE ABOUT THE SAME AGE I WILL BE 81 IN MAY! WISH WE LIVED CLOSER!! MY PUMP CAME WITH TWO SHORT LEGS WHICH CAME OVER MY KNEES, BUT HE TOLD ME MY LEFT LEG LOOKED FINE, SO HE SAID IF I DO NOT NEED IT NOW I WILL HAVE A SPARE!! TAKE CARE, WE ARE SO LUCKY TO HAVE OUR PUMPS!!!😍
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Heavy legs with GCA
GCA Symptoms?
Support stockings 
eventually upped dose - after virus - swollen legs
