Has anyone developed HBP and borderline diabetes with LE?

Ketch, you bring up an interesting question, and one no one has talked about before. My guess would be that the higher-than-expected blood sugar and the high blood pressure are definitely related to each other. But there's sure no evidence I know of that LE is part of that mix.

I'm wondering, though, about pump treatment when the therapy you've had has not been effective. Are you receiving Manual Lymph Drainage from your PT several days a week, along with some kind of well-fitted compression for your chest and tummy area? That would be the standard treatment for LE, so if that's not happening you definitely want to get that straightened out before considering (much less paying for) a pump (which is NOT part of standard treatment protocol).

Therapists may or may not be fully trained, and even those with adequate training may or may not be experienced or willing to spend the time it takes to treat our condition well. Here's information about LE therapists and what to expect from treatment:

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

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

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

Let us know what you discover! Gentle hugs,
Binney

Ketch, is your therapist doing MLD, or is she/he using a pump while you're there? I'm just not understanding why you're getting a pump (which is a substitute for at-home self-mld, but not a separate treatment) when your swelling has not been reduced?

Hugs,
Binney

I was already type 2 before b/c, and my blood pressure hasn't changed during or after treatment.

Ketch I don't want to hi-jack your thread but since we're on the subject of diabetes, just thought I might ask this:  Ive just been talking to someone whose had BC and is talking about taking blood sugar levels by finger pricks. What would be the recommendations in this case?  Stay away from only BC side or is it possible for these to be done in the foot?

Hugz  heres a thought. I remember sometime ago when my veins were REALLY getting problematic on my prophy side that I found out they could do finger pricks for most blood tests! I remember the lady who did this said she had to note it on the form that it was from a finger prick because the blood is somehow different taken from there. I've no idea exactly why this is but no doubt our medically knowledgeable ladies will have an explanation. Of course since then Ive found out from here about both arms being at risk, and more so for double MX with the possiblility of lymph nodes being inadvertantly taken on the prophy side. Now its foot draws.

I'm not sure if you're still around this thread, ketch, but today's appointment with my lymphedema therapist and your original post inspire me to make my first post.  I've been struggling with truncal LE since six months or so after my bilateral mastectomy/DIEP flap reconstruction in January 2012, including five bouts of cellulitis.  My blood pressure was low enough after the surgery to discontinue medication for hypertension (duh..bc diagnosis can elevate bp).  I'm now experiencing consistently high bp and a high pulse rate that isn't responding to basic treatment...and my LE is worsening. The light bulb went on today for my MLD therapist and I.   It makes sense to me that the heart has to work harder to pump fluid through the systems if the connections aren't working properly. And the harder it pumps, the more fluid accumulates in systems that can't drain.  Ack. I'm still working to connect the dots, but at least this hypothesis makes sense.  As an aside, my sugar is also slightly elevated as of last week for the first time ever...a fragile thread of connection.  I'll keep you posted on what I learn if you're interested.