Forum Discussion
Lymphoedema Blues
Today is not a good day. Have just seen my lymphoedema physio who I've been visiting for the past few years and who has been helping me manage my lymphoedema pretty successfully up until now. When I was first diagnosed with lymphoedema, it was towards the end of my treatment and I didn't take it too well as it felt like the last straw, particularly after such a long ordeal. Today, I was right back in that head space as I was told that despite my wizz-bang new (and expensive) compression sleeve and regular lymphatic massages my measurements are getting worse and so the next step will be some heavy duty bandaging to try and regain the shape and size my poor arm should be. I know in the grand scheme of things it is not the worst news I could receive but that didn't stop me bursting into tears. I'm just so sick of the constant reminders and the seemingly never-ending side effects that erode any shred of self-confidence I might have. Thankfully my physio is a beautiful, sympathetic soul and seems to be pretty confident that the bandaging will make a difference. I really hope so.
Thanks for listening. Jane
Thanks for listening. Jane
25 Replies
- Thanks Christine, I've been really touched by the support you all have given. Am currently wrapped and my arm looks a bit like the Michelin Man on steroids with all the bandaging ;) but am hopeful that it will reverse the swelling and I can just get back into maintenance mode with massages, exercises and the compression sleeve when needed. Accepting my new normal is the hardest part of this whole ordeal and one I think I may find challenging for some time xx
- Hi Jane - I have been caught up in my own aches and pains and have only just read your post and all the lovely comments around it. Goodness it is heart breaking when you think you've turned the corner and this rears itself. I do hope the bandaging is helping. No I haven't suffered from it but I could feel a little bit of swelling months ago under my armpit and went for Remedial Massage - she has been very good for me and pointed out that I had slight swelling across the sternum as well as and now it is all under control and somewhere near normal - or should I say that new normal that we all have to accept because we don't seem to go back to our old selves before BC.
Take care from Christine xx - Thanks @Kristen, glad to hear that the bandaging really helps you, fingers crossed that it works as well for me.
Thank you too @Ne, your comment made me cry (in a good way!) it was so lovely xx - Jane I am so sorry to hear that you have been struggling. You are always so sweet and kind to us all on the forum.
I hope the bandaging works its magic for you soon. When my arm lymp gets a bit out of control I find overbandaging really helps get it back down. Its so annoying to lose flexibility but it is so important to keep it 'under control'. Understanding why that is important helps motivate me. I can do wrapping myself now so I can take it off when it time to cook dinner or just leave it on as long as I can stand it. along with the endless twice daily at least stretching. manual lymp movement movements, tai chi, dry skin brushing, garmets, lymp massages....... it is life consuming. But at least I am here to see each day. hang in there fellow lymphies. Keep that lymp moving. Its our own responsibility to look after it. there are lots of resources out there.
- Thanks tcr1969 for your kind words and understanding. I'll check the supplement out, I haven't heard of it before but always worth looking into :)
- Hi Jane yes it really sucks that that your lymphodema has reared it's head again. Mine is under control at the moment but it's a paranoia that is constantly with me. As well seeing a great physio and regular exercise i also take a supplement from my naturopath - Orthoplex Lumphodran Plus. Not sure whether you are open to alternative therapies but it's worth checking out. Good luck !
- Hi Brenda, although I do quite a lot of walking, I must admit after my accident some weeks back, I probably haven't got back into the swing of things so will need to ramp it up a bit to hopefully help things along.
- I would advise, do some good walking. I know I feel it in my arm sometimes when I walk. It sort of makes the body tend to that arm as well as the rest. My physio said mine was up a bit but since I put on weight lately we put the increase down to that. I need to stop eating and do more walking.
- Thanks everyone, I've really appreciated the words of support, understanding and encouragement, it means so much to me. Jane xx
