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rafael zuniga
hello . im rafael i have lyphedema brought on by being extremely obese . i have always been overweight and for the most part lived a normal life until 2008 when i started gaining more weight than ever. As an adult my weight has fluctuated from 400- 500lbs I'm 6ft tall . Believe it or not i stayed very active and lived a good quality of life . I loved to eat and drink alcohol like a fish( :D ). In time i became a alcoholic and my activity level decreased and my weight sky rocketed to 830 lbs by july 27 2011 ,which was when i was hospitalized with a leg infection and diagnosed with Lyphedema .both of my thighs swelled up very bad i was probly carrying 30 lbs on each sack. walking was a chore and wearing shoes was impossible . To make a long story short I sobered up quick overcame alcoholism then started to eat healthy . no more fast food . i started preparing my own meals . from july 2011- sept 2012 i lost 75 lbs my weight was 753. i was very disappointed in my self but knew that i had to to keep fighting. on october 1 2012 i joined loseit.com and started tracking my calories. i started to realize what my calorie intake was rather than guessing. i started eating more veggies and eating more lean meats like chicken and fish. as of october 11 2013 i weigh 517 lbs. thru out my weight loss my thighs were getting smaller but they were still very swollen. my legs and feet went down to normal and my left thigh deflated. i did not have medical insurance until sept 1 2013. i was determoned to lose weight and try and beat lymphedema. thru my own research i have read that it is a controllable but not curable disease . i have been in Lymphedema therapy for the past 6 weeks and i have had excellent results. i lost about 30lbs from my treatment most of the protein fluids from my right leg. my walking has improved tremendously and i can now see the light at the end of the tunnel . i have endured much heart ache and pain with my obesity and lyphedema . not only was I huge but my legs looked freakish. it was very difficult , but i am a fighter and always keep a positive attitude in life, i expect the best but also prepare for the worst . diet exercise and wrap treatment is key in my opinion. If there is anyone that feels there is no hope .there is . never give up . this is a life battle . i hope my post can help anyone that feels helpless. my goal is it get down to 350lbs by may 2014 and walk a marathon or something one day. good luck to all!!
October 13, 2013
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Patricia Crowell
I have swelling in my leg and I experienced pain mostly at night. Are there any exercises and remedies I can use for the pain?
August 20, 2013
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Lise Dupuis
looking for advice on arm sleeves
September 29, 2013
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Veal Jan
I have LE in my right arm, half of my right back and all down my trunk. I can handle the arm and back, but the trunk hurts all the time from the swelling, and I am already in stage 3 compression. My question is what do you wear to keep your trunk compressed when you are at the pool but sitting out of the water for awhile? I also do some boating with my family, and I hurt unless the boat stops and I can jump in the water. This has been part of my family since I can remember, and I hate letting it go if I can find anything that works. Currently, I wear a Miracle Suit for Compression, add a compression swim top, and wear a life jacket tightly if I am in the boat. Any compression ideas that would free me from staying in the water all the time? Thanks!
August 25, 2013
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Courtney Morrison
Hello All,
I am hoping to connect with any lymph therpist who work in an acute care hospital. What is your role there? How do handle supplying the patients with banadages? What are the typical barriers who come across when attempting to treat patients who have lymph (usually as a comorbidity) while in the hospital.
Thanks in advance. Anxious to hear!
Courtney
September 23, 2013
