Using food and excercise to help reduce lymphededema

[Jackie]

I trained in lymph drainage massage, and nutrition. I have lymphededema in my left leg as a result of cancer surgery in 1999. My doctors tell me there is no cure, they say I just have to live with it forever. I do not accept this negative view. I am not that old, I live an active lifestyle. So I decided to reasearch everything I could possibly do for myself, and I have been pretty sucessful at reducing the swelling and keeping it down. Yes some days I'm bad and I don't eat the right things, just like everyone else, but I am getting better at that. I am making a recipe book for lyphedema patients.... I will gladly share my results with everyone.... I hope to have it finished by the end of the year.

Until then here's a tip that works great for me:
Do lots of leg excercise every day.... never sit for more than a hour without getting up and doing some stretching and move your leg a lot..... swim....walk.....dance.... elevate you leg and use your finger tips to gently stroke your leg from ankle to thigh.
Start eating loads of fresh pinneapple, papaya, apples, cherries, strawberries and raw garlic (all organic if you can).....and drink lots of reverse osmosis filtered water. Jackie x

[Paula Larsen]

Jackie:

Thanks for your information. I suffer from leg lymphodema, in my right leg from Cancer surgery. I had lymph nodes removed from my groin. I have also done the MLD, and it has not worked that much. Can you please tell me more about the food suggestion you have.

Thanks!
Paula

[jswh]

Hi Jackie,

Thank you for this information. I was also told by a doctor, whether it's true or not, that the fluid that is in the leg is already sluggish. If we eat a lot of heavy carbs, it just slows the whole process even more as the blood also thickens. I think for me that statement is true. I find I do better eating rice and potatoes and staying away from bread. Within a few hours of eating the bread, by legs swell more. Go figure.

I would be interested in the cook book when you are done. In the meantime, I love fruit, so I will try adding more of your suggestions to my diet. I live in Phoenix so it is natural for me to up my water intake.

Oh yes, I was also told that walking and swimming were the best exercises for this condition.

Janet

[stephanie]

Hi, Jackie and Janet,

Very interested in connecting with Janet. I, too, live in Phoenix. Not a good place to be with lymphededema with the extreme heat! I have had lymphededema in the right leg for 35 years. Jackie, I am very interested in the nutritional side of treating this condition. I have tried everything, and I mean everything! I was on benzopyrenes orally and topically for 3 years until the FDA cancelled the temporary use in the U.S. (it helped, by the way...) Right now I am trying ensymatic therapy suggested by my massage therapist. No notice yet of any improvement.

Swimming is the only exercise that doesn't create additional problems for me. Food...I haven't been able to pinpoint much, except, of course, salty (especially pizza and fatty meats). I get MLD every week and bandage at night after pumping; wear 40-50 compression Juzo during the day. Only time I don't wear compression garment or bandage is when I'm bathing. I even wear a knee high when I swim.


How are you coping with the emotional side of living with this? Do you have a supportive family/friends?

Looking forward to hearing from you both! Stephanie

[jswh]

Stephanie,

I hadn't seen your post here but I did answer you on another topic. I couldn't figure out how to work the "PM" side of this. If you wish to email me, my email is thisgoodday@hotmail. com.

Not only do we live in Phoenix, hot, hot Phoenix, my middle name is also Stephanie. Just thought I'd share.

Janet

[stephanie]

Hi, Janet,

I will use your email. Thanks for responding. What a coincidence we both use the name Stephanie!

It's predicted to be 117 degrees on the fourth of July! I'm in for the day!

Steph

[jswh]

Hi Stephanie,

With everything else going on it's hard to keep up with this new thread. I have a friend who is nurse and certified massage therapist. She is really into all forms of Chinese and Indian therapies. She started using tuning forks in addition to massage on my legs and ankles. Each time they've looked really good when she is done. The trick it to maintain that daily. I've determined I am not going to let this get me. I'm going to continue searching for something anything that will work. My weight is an issue, so I am trying to work on that too. I believe that will relieve a lot of the pressures in that area. I remember being about 50 lighter and not having this so severe, so I will do my darndest to lose the weight.

Hope the heat isn't getting to you too much. Waiting patiently for the monsoon to start.

Janet