At My Wits End

[Zara]

:confused:

I noticed that soon after I started my menstral cycle at the age of 9, my legs began to get larger and I experienced alot of pain. My mother took me to a doctor and was told that my body developed to quickly, and as I got older my body would straighten itself out once I had a child.
I am now 39, had a child 6 years ago and my legs only have gotten larger. I decided that I wanted to see a cosmetic surgeon in regards to getting lyposuction. When he saw my legs he told me that he thought that my problem was not just being fat. That possibly there was something more. This doctor refered me to a specialist, that is when I was told I had Lyphedema. Of course I was horrified and did not believe him, nobody in my family has this. I then went to two more specialiast and they told me that I did not have lymphodema. So my doctor told me that I did not have it.I have been back and fourth to my doctor due to severe pain in my left leg however now the pain is in my right leg as well. My left ankle is larger than my right, however my feet are normal. My doctors response was it is from my lymphedema. Were eles can I go to find out if I do have it. What test is there to determine wether someone has it or not. Both my legs are the same size.

[Cassie]

Hi, Zara,
I see no one has answered your post here, and I don't feel especially qualified to answer it either. But I can tell you that a referral to a well-trained lymphedema (LE) therapist would be a great place to start. Here's a web site with links to therapists near you:
www.mylymphedema.com

A therapist will know by feel if you have LE, and best of all she'll be able to help you through the steps of bringing it under control and learning to care for it yourself. The treatment involved a gentle lovely massage and compression with special bandages or garments. It is not easy to learn everything, but you can do it, and once you have you'll have the control of your life back in your own hands.

Wishing you every success! Let me know how it goes, okay?
Cassie

[clutchperformer]

HI Zara!
What you may have is lipedema--check out the article here:
http://www.lymphnotes.com/article.php/id/164/

Lymphedema is not usually symmetrical and typically the foot is involved. Lipedema usually affects both legs--but not the feet.

The good news is that some of the lymphedema techniques are appropriate for lipedema--I agree with Cassie--see an experienced therapist--they can help guide you through the maze!