Alcohol and a log book

[pernille]

Hi
I just shared a bottle of wine with my husband last night and I am sure my leg was more swollen afterwards (not just me seeing double). Has anybody experienced more swelling when consuming alcohol and has anybody logged their food/drinking/general walk abouts habit and then measured the leg/arm to see if there was any connection. I thought I might do that to see if I can improve my leg by doing/not doing some things.
Any thoughts??

[Ann]

Keeping a log book is a great idea. Include in it your history of lymphedema because as time goes by the early details tend to "get lost."

Ask your therapist to show you about three places where you can measure on your leg. Then you can use these landmarks at home to keep track of the level of swelling. Also note factors, such as hot weather, that might influence your lymphedema.

Tracking exercise is a good idea too. The more exercise you get to stimulate the flow of lymph, the better you should do in controlling the swelling. Ideally you will be recording a steady increase in the amount of exercise you are getting and how well you are feeling.

Best wishes

Ann, from Lymph Notes