Lymph Edema from radiation

CursiveStars
CursiveStars Member Posts: 23
edited September 2019 in Lymphedema

Recently I was diagnosed with lymph Edema in my left leg from radiation injury to the nodes. Idk but this has been so devastating, almost like when I was first diagnosed. One of my legs looks like it belongs on a 400lb person and the other is my normal little bird leg. I have decreased mobility to the point I can hardly get myself dressed and socks and shoes are a joke. It hurts to sit, walk any length, and just looks hideous. They're supposed to be setting me up with a physical therapist so I know there is some treatment for it but I was told I will likely deal with this for the rest of my life. I feel like a freak and am so depressed over it. I feel like it's just more cancer has taken. I'm 34 and have had this disease since I was 26. I'm generally go with the flow but I can't seem to get past this. I broke up with my new bf over it, I don't want to go anywhere, I can't do things I enjoy. Anyone else dealing with this type of injury/dx? Any advice?

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Comments

  • Lauriesh
    Lauriesh Member Posts: 692
    edited September 2019

    I have lyphadema in my arm, not leg. It has been almost 15 years and I have it pretty well under control. I was 37 and the thought of dealing with it the rest of my life was overwhelming. The therapy will help a lot, but I hate to say it, it is a pain. Massage, wrapping, etc, but it does work. In the meantime, eat a low sodium, low carb diet and elevate it so it is higher than your heart. Good luck


    Lauri

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  • Yogatyme
    Yogatyme Member Posts: 2,349
    edited September 2019

    So am I understanding this right? You can get lymphedema in your leg from lymph node removal in the arm?

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  • CursiveStars
    CursiveStars Member Posts: 23
    edited September 2019

    No. I should have specified I had injury from the bone Mets in my hip and received rads to my hip. That's what triggered it in my leg. I had originally posted this on the stage IV forum where more members are likely to have had radiation in various spots other then the arm and chest. Was looking for leg lymphedema feedback mostly but I guess all lymphedema advice would help.

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  • Yogatyme
    Yogatyme Member Posts: 2,349
    edited September 2019

    CursiveStar, thanks for the clarification! My confusion had me thinking,”oh great, another thing to be mindful of”. My sister has lymphedema in one leg as well....one leg twice as big as the other and it aches most of the time. She developed it after a hard fall at work. She’s never had lymph nodes removed so I guess it is true that an injury can cause it.

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