Lymphedema

Seeking Advice and Sharing Experiences on Lymphedema Treatment

Hi I have **lymphadema** & a larger lady myself & I find the keto diet very good & would lose up to 2 or 3 kilos a week on very strict & 1 kilo when I wasn't so strict but still good. Xx

Hey there, I'm really sorry to hear about everything you're going through.It sounds like you have been really hit by a wave of shock and anxiety.My heart goes out to you . I kow this can be a challenging time for you and it's completely understandable to feel overwhelmed, especially when things like ordering swim gear don't work out as you want it . I totally understand how you feel, loosing a part of yourself as intricate as a breast. This is not merely losing ""a lump of fat and skin” This is more of a feeling of loosing a piece of your identity, your confidence, and a sense of self worth. It's okay, let those feelings run; grieve,loss, sadness, anger ,frustration….. Let it run and let it go! Your emotions are real, and they deserve to be acknowledged and respected, not brushed aside by others who may not fully understand what you're going through. As for the swimwear situation, I can only imagine how disappointing and disheartening it must have been to have waiting for your order only to find that it doesn't fit the way you hoped.It’s like that feeling of having to look forward to a delicious meal, only to find out it's gone cold and tasteless. Feeling embarrassed about your legs on top of everything is another heavy load on your self-consciousness and insecurity. But please know that you are not defined by your physical appearance or any of these challenges you're facing. You are a strong, resilient individual who's been through so much, and you deserve to be treated with kindness, compassion, and understanding. Going to the public pool with your grandsons might feel daunting right now, but please try not to let your feelings of defeat hold you back. You are still the amazing person your grandsons love and count on, whether you have one breast or two, whether your legs are affected by **lymphedema** or not. Your love, your presence, and your spirit are what truly matter, and I'm sure your grandsons cherish every moment they spend with you, regardless of where you go or what you look like. You are stronger than you realize, and you don't have to face any of this alone. Reach out to those who care about you, whether it's your family, friends…..remember, it's okay to ask for help, to lean on others when you need to, and to take things one step at a time. You've got this.

Ive had lymphatic cording (AWS). 4 Years out, I'm still going back for physical therapy. Myofascia release is wonderful. **Lymphedema** is much less common since Sentinel Node Biopsy. I lucked out that 24 years ago, my surgeon knew about this "new" technology. My cancer was first thought to be a "misbehaving lymph node" in the far upper right, near the arm pit. So 1st lumpectomy, i only lost 3 lymph nodes. 2nd was a masectomy, but no other lymph nodes left. My arms have never swollen up. So so glad.

Struggling with Body Image After Mastectomy

Several strategies can help manage **lymphedema**. These include taking a "water pill" like Lasix to help flush fluid out of the body, staying well hydrated, avoiding foods that cause swelling such as those high in salt, not sitting or standing for too long, getting plenty of sleep, and wearing diabetic socks if your feet are swollen. Keeping skin well moisturized and promptly caring for any cuts or scrapes is also important. Some people have found relief through a strict keto diet, juicing fruits and vegetables that lower inflammation and help purge fluid, and cutting down on sodium and limiting fluid intake. Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), a type of gentle massage that stimulates proximal lymphatic flow, can also be beneficial. Compression wraps and elevating the legs above the heart can help as well.