Lymphoedema

Hi - Yes I have to wear a combined sleeve/glove - I have heard somewhere that some people put theirs in the freezer for a while before putting them on.   I haven't tried that so can't comment. But I see a reflexologist once a month who is trained in Manual Lymph Drainage and the size of my sleeve has reduced from VII to V!  (I'm 4 years post op)  If you attend a Lymphoedema Clinic it might be worth asking them as they will know - what ever you try I hope it works for you and that you can gain some well-deserved relief!!!

Although my lymphoedema is in my neck I have used various techniques to resolve the problem. One thing that can be used is massage in various forms from hands, mechanical tools like vibrator to medical/athletic Kinetic tape. You can buy expensive lymphoedema pressure systems that use a inflated bladder devices to compress and deflate pushing fluid further down the line, eBay do them. You can pay or ask your GP to refer you to your Lymphoedema Clinic for a short course of treatment and they teach you to massage techniques. You can buy expensive vibrators or simply buy one from the Poundshop or eBay for pennies plus some of their cheap batteries. This provides simple vibration in the Lymphoedema area moving the liquid on. One thing they don't tell you is this will affect you for the rest of your life, some times not so bad other times quite uncomfortable. The NHS has no real answer beyond a few weeks at the Lymphoedema Clinic then you are on your own to find your own solutions that suits you. I use the Kinetic tape mostly with the vibrator in reserve these days but you may find your stocking may be best for you, good luck!

I am going back to see the clinic next week thank you for all your information, but I like you was told that I will have this for the rest of my life ,but hopefully they might be able to suggest something else I will carry on using my stocking and glove but it does ache more at night but I have taken all your suggestions on board thank you tiger xxxx