Tag Archives: health

My garments are in!

After three weeks of wrapping, my garments have come in: I’m now the proud owner of a brand-new Mediven stocking and a Solaris Tribute nighttime garment. Wahoo!

I’ve had both open- and closed-toe stockings before but I didn’t find either to be particularly comfortable, so I decided to go a different route with my new one. I’ve never had a stocking quite like this – I love my new Mediven! My new Medi is closed-toe but each toe is separately enclosed, with sort of a “toe socks” aesthetic. Having each toe separate gives it that much more individual compression, which I need because my toes and forefoot are my most affected areas. It’s super comfy, too – the team at GBMC and Caring Touch Medical did a great job measuring me for a custom fit. I’m looking forward to ordering these in a couple more colors when I go for my follow up appointment next week.

For nightwear, I got a Solaris Tribute. I’ve had a Tribute before and so I’m already pretty used to it, although my new one is a little different: it’s colorful! Solaris offers the Tribute in a small variety of colors now – a simple pleasure for us lymphies – and I got mine in a pretty shade of navy blue with two different sleeves: one jade green, and one red. I also got a set of toecaps to wear at nighttime for some extra compression. So far so good although I’ve been taking it off in the middle of the night, in my sleep. Not quite sure what that’s about but I think after a few more nights of wearing it I’ll get adjusted to the new fit!

I’ve been really consistent about wearing my stockings these past couple months, and getting new ones is strengthening my resolve to continue doing so. If I am able to wear my garment and have my leg wrapped during summer – the most difficult season for lymphies – then I can keep it up during the fall and winter!

What types of garments do you have? Which ones do you prefer?

Guest Post: Lucie’s Physiotherapy Experience

Lucie Crouch recently underwent physiotherapy for her lymphedema. After a positive experience, she decides to share her story.

I’ve been living with lymphedema for around eight years now. I’ve pretty much been through it all: painful leg drainage, herbal remedies, hardcore and rather painful CDT (complete decongestive therapy)… I’ve tried a plethora of different massage techniques and exercises, and don’t get me wrong – they all worked ‘quite well’ – but nothing really hit the spot. I also began to see a recurring infection in my left leg. It literally became as a hard as a rock, and during one bad spell I was in the hospital with IV antibiotics for two months. Then I came across physiotherapy for lymphedema patients and my condition drastically changed.

One problem I found was getting in touch with a physiotherapist who had experience and knowledge of lymphedema and understood how their profession could really be used to combat the condition. Most physiotherapists will tell you that they can treat you, but my advice would be to find a therapist who has had successful results with a lymphedema case before. I spent quite a lot of time and money testing the waters; it can end up being extremely painful if you’re landed with a therapist who doesn’t understand or have any experience with lymphedema.

Then I came across a therapist whose daughter actually had the condition and my therapy instantly took a turn for the better, and honestly I think this is an underestimated, gold-star treatment for the condition.

Unlike your normal drainage massages, physiotherapy combats the problem in a more organic way. The aim of the game is to stop excess fluid from the lymph by sorting you out with exercises which:

• Increase range of motion/flexibility
• Decrease swelling
• Decrease pain
• Increase strength
• Restore function and improve the quality of life.

I found that because my therapist understood exactly how and why lymphedema effects your body and your life, she had some really good exercises which not only helped drain away the swelling, but actually built the muscle up in my back and legs as well, so when I could walk again, it wasn’t like Bambi on ice.

Another thing she did which I’ve never encountered before was using a massage couch. Basically this tilts you backwards so the whole time you’re in therapy, your legs are elevated as well as being massaged so you’re sort of getting the best of both worlds.

It took a few weeks or so for the therapy to really kick in; the best part was the exercises she taught me involving simple movement which really helped me bring the strength back into my legs. Just sitting on a bed or chair so your legs are at a right angle, and lifting them into the air, slowly and carefully, is something you can do anywhere and it really helps circulation. She also taught me a great, really simple exercise which has loads of benefits for any area which is affected: the idea is that you want to move, stretch and tone any area of your body where your lymph nodes need a bit of encouragement. For example, if it’s your arm that’s affected, hold your arm in front of you, stretch from your shoulder all the way down to the tips of your fingers and twist your arm slowly to the right and the left. You want to twist the arm with the skin and the muscle, basically getting blood to all of the organs, tissue and muscle on that limb. This can easily be done on your leg or any other parts of your body – just make sure you don’t hurt yourself when you’re doing it.

I’m now really mobile and sixth months after starting therapy I’m completely mobile; I have my own massage chair so I can rest comfortable with my legs elevated on a daily basis which also makes the world of difference.

I’d honestly recommend physiotherapy to anyone who is thinking about having it. It’s genuinely worth your time, and when you find a good therapist it can make all the difference to your lifestyle.

All Wrapped Up

The other day I began a four week process in which my affected limb is wrapped in a series of bandages and foam padding to create compression. The goal is to get my leg down to the smallest size possible so that I can be measured for a new compression garment. The smaller the measurements, the tighter the garment will be – and the better the swelling will be managed!

So what exactly does wrapping entail?

First, the lymphedema therapist took out a large sheet of foam padding. The foam, when wrapped under tight bandaging, helps to contour and compress the leg. She measured alongside my leg and foot and cut out a couple different pieces: an arch pad, a front piece, and a back piece. (These will be used later.)

Next, she wrapped my leg in Artiflex cotton batting, like the kind you’d use to keep a cast in place. This went from the bottom of my toes all the way to my knee.

After that, she put the foam pieces on, wrapping them loosely in place with a regular Ace bandage.

After that, she individually wrapped the first four toes of my foot.

Next come the bandages! The lymphedema therapist used four rolls of Rosidal short stretch bandages – two 8 centimeter and two 10 centimeter rolls. She wrapped my leg with tighter compression at the bottom, the gradient compression helping to move the lymph upwards.

The final product:

I go to the clinic almost every day for four weeks, and each day we do the same: unwrap, perform manual lymph drainage, re-wrap. It’s only been three days but I’ve already noticed a difference when the bandages are removed – a lot of the swelling is down and I’m really excited to get fitted for my new garment. Wrapping is a worthwhile process to undertake, something I’d definitely recommend talking to a lymphedema specialist about!

What are your experiences with wrapping? Have you found it to be helpful?

Lymphie Stories: Donna S.

Submitted by Donna S., August 2012.

I am 34 years old and 2 1/2 years ago my left leg started to swell.  I was and still am a keen fitness fanatic and was always self conscious about my weight even though I was a size 10.  At the time I was single.

I went to the doctors several times about it and I was told that it was just a sprain and was put on a course of directics.  It wasn’t until around 8 months later and several vists to my GP that I was referred for numerous tests.  I was finally diagnosed in January 2010.

The day before my final diagnosis I had met a lovely man and then finding out that I had Primary Lymphoedema I felt like my world had ended.  How would this man love me if he were to find out?  After getting to know him I decided a week later to tell him.  Well we are now living together and have a 10 month old gorgeous little boy called George.

I have my good days and bad days, days when I feel “why me?” and when my leg is at its worse I feel moody and tearful.  Chris always says never look on the negative but look at the positives and to be honest I feel almost glad this has happened to me.  I am not self centred anymore or obsessed about my weight…. Life is for the living, so long as I can walk I’m grateful.  My left leg is slightly bigger than the right BUT it’s my leg, part of who I am and I still love it.  I still have bad days but my family get me through …. Chris, my baby George and my lovely mum and dad and I love them all x

Submit your story to the Lymphie Life! Use the contact form here to share your personal story of living with lymphedema, and, with your permission, it’ll be posted on the website.

Yesterday’s Overdue Appointment

I feel so fortunate to live near a lymphedema clinic, especially one as personable and competent as GBMC’s. My appointment yesterday went really well: they said that I had done a good job maintaining my swelling since my last visit three years ago, and that made me feel a lot more confident about my ability to take care of myself. I truly have made a daily effort to wear my garments and to have that recognized is super encouraging!

I met with a nurse, a doctor, and a lymphedema therapist, and between the four of us it was decided I’d start a physical therapy program where, in addition to the physical therapy itself, the therapist will be wrapping my leg in tight bandages each day for about a month. This process (“wrapping”) will allow for smaller measurements and a garment with tighter, more effective compression.

I’m excited to get this started; I did wrapping three years ago but am definitely overdue and in need of another new garment. I start sometime next week – hooray! Although I’m not relishing the idea of wearing layers of bandages in 90+ degree weather, I know it’s going to help me a lot in the long run.

What’s your experience with physical therapy and wrapping?