What is the best treatment for lymphedema?

girlfriend

What is the best treatment for lymphedema?

Moderators

Hi girlfriend, and welcome to Breastcancer.org!

You've come to the best place for advice and recommendations about treating lymphedema -- we're sure others will be weighing in shortly. Could you tell us a little more about your situation so we can provide helpful answers?

In the meantime, you may be interested in reading the main Breastcancer.org site's section on Lymphedema, which offers information on treatments, ways to help prevent lymphedema, and other options to manage this condition.

We hope this helps, and we look forward to hearing more from you soon!

--The Mods

MinusTwo

Please do go to the LE forum. You'll find lots of answers depending on your specific diagnosis. We're a very active group. Get to a PT that is trained to deal specifically with LE. Below is the link to an excellent site that may of our BCO members were instrumental in starting.

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/

Kicks

There is no one 'best' way for all of us to deal with LE. There are no 'absolutes' as to what is best for us, individually, dealing with our LE.

I don't 'fit' what is considered 'normal/usual' in how I deal with my LE.

First of all, find a LET (LymphEdema Therapist) that is going to work with YOU - not automatically go by 'what is supposed to work'.

My fantastic LET Guy is not a PT but an OT. 'We' had 'issues' early on but he figured ME out and how weird I am. I have to have low level compression (18 - 21) as higher level causes swelling for me. (For some - do need higher levels). I am syndactyly, a 'birth defect' that causes 'webbing' between fingers (my toes are a lot worse than fingers) so I can't wear any gloves that are OTS as they literally cut between my fingers causing open sores. So my gloves have to be Custom and it took several tomes of him tweaking the measurements til got what is great. My sleeves have to be custom also.

I have dealt with LE for 7+ yrs, have never had any infection though have had quite a few punctures, scrapes, cuts, etc. All I've ever used on them was hydrogen peroxide.

The more active I am - this less issues I deal with. (Winter is worse than summer for me.) I do.wear my day garments daily, my night garment nightly and run my FlexiTouch (MLD) machine daily. But there is basically nothing that stops me or keeps me from doing all I want to.

Bottlom line - seek someone who has the knowledge/education to give 'you'. While there are some 'things' that are similar with all LE management but we are each so unique and have to learn what 'works' for us individually.

So - 'the best treatment' is what works for you - not me or anyone else.