Does anyone have Lymphedema in the legs/ankle area?

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Chevyboy
Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,786
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

I was just wondering, is it possible to get Lymphedema anywhere other than your arms?  I've researched this, and found, that yes it happens, but I haven't heard of anyone here on this forum.  It's been  1 1/2 years since my surgery...So I thought I was through with this... Terrible swelling in my one ankle and lower leg.

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited August 2011

    Chevyboy, I'm so sorry for this stupid new worry!Frown

    There are other reasons for swelling besides lymphedema -- such as a blood clot -- that call for prompt evaluation by your doctor. Please don't put off finding out what's up with this, as it's an easy "fix" but needs to be addressed quickly.

    Let us know what you discover, and tell us how we can help.

    Hugs,
    Binney

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  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,786
    edited August 2011

    Thanks Binney!  And now this morning it is completely gone!  But I remember my left ankle will swell off and on for the last year... And when I sit curled up on the couch, with my legs under me, I notice where my one leg presses on this left leg, it stays "sunken in" for about 1/2 hour.   So I now sit in the recliner at night, instead of curled up on the sofa...Wink

    I wore a new compression stocking yesterday, maybe that it why it is much better today....I just hate to run to the Docs if it is nothing...but I was so afraid it was Lymphedema.... Now I don't know....

    Thanks again!

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  • inspiewriter
    inspiewriter Member Posts: 876
    edited August 2011

    Lots of folks have it in their legs and trunk, some since birth.  I'm in a private Facebook group with a lot of them, and others who have the arm LE.   Some of them have great tips on dealing with it.

    https://www.facebook.com/?sk=fl_385870098519#!/groups/224932047521175/

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  • AnneWisc
    AnneWisc Member Posts: 476
    edited August 2011

    I am dealing with lymphedema + venous edema in my legs.  It predates my breast cancer diagnosis and lumpectomy, my LE specialist thinks it likely is related to two pelvic surgeries I have had.

    It's not a run-in-today type of emergency but you should deal with it sooner rather than later.  I also suspect that your doctor might not take it very seriously.  The doc should check for serious organ failure causes of edema (mine did this all with blood tests) such as congestive heart failure or liver failure.  That done, you may need to request a LE specialist.  My doctor didn't think of it but when I found the information on my own, he was quite willing to get me the referral. 

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  • peggy_j
    peggy_j Member Posts: 1,700
    edited August 2011

    Chevyboy, you can get lymphedema in the legs but not from BC surgery. Glad your compression stockings are helping, but I agree with others that if you see something unusual and persistent, it would be good to check it out with a doc.

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