Lymphedema Therapist in Hyderabad- India

Charnyaramanh

Hi All,

Desperately looking for a lymphedema therapist in Hyderabad-

India. My mother was treated for breast cancer two years back. All was fine till last week, when she developed swelling in her arm. Her medical oncologist confirmed it to be lympedema and asked her to take it with a pinch of salt. He said there was no way to make it go away. however after searching the internet for answers I figured it could be managed successfully with the help of a lyphedema therapist, thus begun my search for one, but I have still not been able to find a CLT anywhere in hyderabad or all of India as  matter of fact. Would be really greatful if anyone knows a lymphedema therapist in Hyderabad/India

Charanya

Moderators

It may be best to have a conversation with her medical oncologist and the rest of her treatment team to see if they know anyone locally. Sorry she is going through this!!

Marple

Hi Charanya, I'm sorry your mother has developed lymphedema.  There is lots she can do and lots to learn.  Here is a good website to start.  http://www.stepup-speakout.org/ 

Binney4

Hello, Charanya, and welcome!

I'm really sorry to hear about your mom's new difficulties. As Marple says, there's much she can do to both reduce the swelling and maintain her arm in good health. But it will take some real work to find the resources you need in India. You might try calling some people in other parts of India who are involved in lymphedema treatment, even though they're very far from you. They may know someone in your area who can help, or they may be able to help a local Physical Therapist learn what she needs to know to work with you and your mom. Unfortunately the only people I know about are in Delhi and Punducherry, but I'll give you their names in case you want to call them and see if they can help.

Here's a therapist in New Delhi:
Seema Grover, PT, CLT
Batra Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Physiotherapy
Telephone: 11-29958747 #3068

And here's a study about Complete Decongestive Therapy from the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education in Pondicherry:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22293250

On that page you'll see the names of the researchers. If you contact JIPMER and ask to speak to them they may be able to tell you who their therapists were, so you can call them too.

You might also want to copy that study and show it to her doctor. Perhaps he would be willing to contact them himself. And at any rate, he would learn that there IS treatment available, and hopefully he'd want to see that kind of treatment available in Hyderabad as well.

Here's an article on ayurvedic lymphedema treatment that combines traditional and modern medical techniques, and may be more comfortable for your mom. You can contact Dr. Narahari to learn more, and to find out if such treatment is available near you:
http://www.lymphovenous-canada.ca/shleepadaregieme.htm

In the meantime, it will help your mom if she elevates her arm (with support) as much as possible during the day, and at night on pillows. She should drink plenty of water (because it dilutes the lymph fluid and helps it flow better) and pause to take a few deep abdominal breaths throughout the day (because that stimulates the biggest lymph vessel in our bodies.)

Please let us know what you discover, and do come ask any questions you or your mom may have--there are lots of women here with a lot of experiences like your mom's, and we'd all be happy to help her. Thank you for working so hard to find her the care she needs!

Gentle hugs to both of you,
Binney

Charnyaramanh

Thank you Moderators, Marple and Binny4

Your kind words and valuable information has given me a new impitus to see this thru

Here is what I am planning to do

1. Go to Oncology dept and again check what they can do about it
2. Call up Dr Seema Grover (as suggested by Binny4) and check with her if there is someone available locally
3. Check out the ayurvedic alternative
4. on a Long term perspective get other people facing the same problem here to together and speak to the hospital to get a trained Lymphedema Thrapist from outside to train locally available therapist

Will keep you posted on further developments 

Gentle hugs

Charanya

Marple

Charanya you make a wonderful advocate.  Good luck with your search. 

Binney4

Charanya, brava for you!

We're all cheering for you to find good help. Greet your mom for all of us.

The longer term advocacy is so important. As you're looking around for others with lymphedema to speak up for a trained lymphedema therapist, you might consider including those with filariasis (parasitic) lymphedema--I think it's called shleepada in India. They suffer greatly without treatment, but can be restored to a normal life with proper care, and their voices might help convince the hospital to get help.

It's physical therapists who treat lymphedema, not usually doctors. If you get to the point where you have some physical therapists in Hyderabad who want to learn how to treat lymphedema, please let us know and we can put you in touch with the directors of the Lymphedema Therapist schools here--they have sent teachers out to other countries when there are physical therapists who want to learn, and we can see if they will do that for you.

Be well, and please tell us how we can help,
Binney

Charnyaramanh

Hi All,

Found a clinic which offers lymphedema therapy, however dint find it very promising... on asking a lot of questions the doctor seemed to get a little defensive. They dont have a lymphedema therapist as such but do a 10day treatment which involves using lymphedema  compression pump and bandaging. 

 the therapist she seemed very mechanical as if she is following a standard procedure...kind of like one size fits all...

I dont know should I go with it or wait and find a better resource...

Confused

Charanya

Binney4

Charanya, hello,

Many of us (maybe even most of us!) have had to try a couple of therapists before we found what worked for us. As a start, the pump and bandaging is probably a better bet than nothing at all. Once you are there you may be better able to assess whether you can work with them or not. And meanwhile you can continue to research treatment possibilities.

Just so you know what you should expect, here's information about bandaging:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/wrapping_bandaging_for_lymphedema.htm

Other treatment information here:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/treatments_for_lymphedema.htm

If you try it, do let us know how it goes. I'm sorry about the defensiveness you encountered, and I hope that gives way to the ability to talk openly and ask questions.

Greeting to your mom, too,
Binney

gimmiabreak

hi.

i happened to read all your current and past post to understand your need and your desperation to assist your mom in gaining a better life. firstly would love to compliment you for this journey you have decided and appreciate the efforts a daughter takes for her mom. Anyway, i believe you must call up Dr.Ruchita Jain (practicing Panindia) who is a lymphedema therapist + PT + Ergonomist . She has successfully guided and treated many of the lymphedema patients. I suggest her to you more so coz i believe she knows such patients as she has closely watched her mom suffering through it too. (www.physiotherapist.hpage.com). follow this link. 

hope info is useful.

ramasivaram

Charanya,

I wonder if you'll open the discussion board. Could you find a therapist in Hyd and what is the status of your moms's lymphedema? If you still need some by CoolSaleCoupon" in_rurl="http://s.srv-itx.com/click?v=SUU6NDM2MzA6MTE0NTpoZWxwZWQ6OTlkMWJjZTVlZTA5NzIxMGVjZDdkNTdlZjZhNGZlZjY6ei0xNzUwLTEzODcyOTUwOmNvbW11bml0eS5icmVhc3RjYW5jZXIub3JnOjU1NzYyOjQ4YmFlOWU1ZGM5MDg0MTY3NGEyYzE3ZGJkODRjYzNjOmZhODdhMDZlYmJlZTRkOTE4ZGRiNzNiMDVlMzA2OTQ5OjE6ZGF0YV9zcyw3Mjh4MTM2NjtkYXRhX2ZiLG5vOzo1Mjg0NTA4&subid=g-13872950-47a5d28d87a0480780244050d2341175-&data_ss=728x1366&data_fb=no&data_tagname=P" id="_GPLITA_3" href="#">help in management , send me a private message. I am a survivor by CoolSaleCoupon" in_rurl="http://s.srv-itx.com/click?v=SUU6ODA3OTM6NDY5OmJyZWFzdCBjYW5jZXI6ZjcyMTNiZjFmYmI2MWJmODhkODNmZDE5NTU5NGQwNDM6ei0xNzUwLTEzODcyOTUwOmNvbW11bml0eS5icmVhc3RjYW5jZXIub3JnOjIzOTE2NjplZTYxZjYwNDA1NDc1MGVjNDRhOGE4ZGE5Y2Q1NzQ0NDo4YjY3YTI0OTRmYTk0ZDM1YTYxMzQ0MTRlNzgyNGFiMToxOmRhdGFfc3MsNzI4eDEzNjY7ZGF0YV9mYixubzs6NDQyMTI1NQ&subid=g-13872950-47a5d28d87a0480780244050d2341175-&data_ss=728x1366&data_fb=no&data_tagname=P" id="_GPLITA_4" href="#">breast cancer Advocate, Health Educator Counsellor and most of all a massage therapist. God Bless

murthyp

Hi Charanya,

Can you please let me know if you find any treatment in and around Andhra Pradesh (Hyderabad)?

My mother also has this since 2 years, still searching for treatment options.

Thanks for your help,

Murthy

Indialymphedemafoundation01

Dear Murthy,

I represent India Lymphedema Foundation. This is fairly recently established non-profit organization. We are building resources, treatment option and network for lymphedema treatment providers and patients. I would be so glad to help your mother. If you can email me at ira_dave@yahoo.com, I am happy to make arrangements to understand her condition and see how we can help.

Sincerely,

Ira

Binney4

Welcome, Ira! So grateful for your work. Murthyp, hoping for good help for your mother.

Gentle hugs,
Binney

Indialymphedemafoundation01

Hello,

I am part of India Lymphedema Foundation. You can find us on facebook under India Lymphedema Foundation. I would like to get in touch with you to understand your involvement in helping patients and how we can associate.

Regards,

Ira