Hello, My name is Tina.
I have Lymphedema. When I first had symptoms, doctors didn't know what was wrong nor did they
have any clue what to do. I hear this is common for those of us with the condition. After going to many
doctors and hearing the same thing, "Elevate" and pretty much deal with it, I became frustrated. I
went to a reputable surgeon I have never been to before, he diagnosed me right away. I was given a
script for compression garments and later on, manual lymph drainage therapy.
I had researched on my own in medical books but didn't find much. In the late 1990's I got a computer
and began to research online. I didn't find much just a handful of websites that didn't offer any hope or
insight on what to do. It wasn't until the 2000 era that lymphedema became more popular and just in
the last 2-3 years, lymphedema exploded on the web. Thanks to all that worked to make that possible!
Lymphland?
Lymphland was created by me to be a place of support, information, and friendship. I wanted my
website to be special, where we could have chats and find the unusual. Lymphland will always be around
and I'll be adding more as time passes.
I have Lymphedema. When I first had symptoms, doctors didn't know what was wrong nor did they
have any clue what to do. I hear this is common for those of us with the condition. After going to many
doctors and hearing the same thing, "Elevate" and pretty much deal with it, I became frustrated. I
went to a reputable surgeon I have never been to before, he diagnosed me right away. I was given a
script for compression garments and later on, manual lymph drainage therapy.
I had researched on my own in medical books but didn't find much. In the late 1990's I got a computer
and began to research online. I didn't find much just a handful of websites that didn't offer any hope or
insight on what to do. It wasn't until the 2000 era that lymphedema became more popular and just in
the last 2-3 years, lymphedema exploded on the web. Thanks to all that worked to make that possible!
Lymphland?
Lymphland was created by me to be a place of support, information, and friendship. I wanted my
website to be special, where we could have chats and find the unusual. Lymphland will always be around
and I'll be adding more as time passes.
What is Lymphedema?
Lymphedema is broken down into 2 words. Lymph which is the colorless to milky colored fluid in your
body. Edema, which means swelling. Lymphedema occurs when fluids build up in the soft tissues of the
body. Lymphedema is pronounced: Lim-fee-dee-ma. It can be spelled a variety of ways such as
lymphoedema, lymphadema, etc. All the various spellings mean the same condition.
There are 2 basic types of lymphedema.
1. Primary, heredity, sometimes called Nonne Milroy's Disease or Meige's disease which means you
are/were born with it.
2. Secondary or acquired, which means it came from a cause such as surgery, trauma, injury, etc.
Lymphedema can appear directly after surgery or trauma's or even 20 years down the road.
Filariasis is the infestation of the Brugia malayi parasite through mosquito or fly bites.
Lymphorrhea is the laking of lymph that has ruptured through the skin from skin breakdowns.
Self induced lymphedema is very rare but reported in which a tourniquet creates a fibrotic ring that
causes fluid build up.
Mayall's syndrome is extremely rare, caused by an arteriolo-venular shut which causes the development
of peripheral disease.
There are several stages of lymphedema.
Stage 0: subclinical or latent stage.
Stage 1: Completely and spontaneously reversible lymphedema. Lymphedema is considered chronic
after 3 months.
Stage 2: Spontaneously irreversible lymphedema. Edema persists for some times and fibrous tissue
forms.
Stage 3: Irreversible lymphedema. Very hard edema with no skin movement. Much fibrosis and hard
skin. Can be loss of joint movement and mobility.
Edema is said to be pitting when your finger impression remains on the skin after pressing down.
Lipedema involves the accumulation of fat in the tissues. Lipedematous tissue may cause true
lymphedema which results in the term lipolymphedema.
Myxedema is the accumulation of mucinoid substances in the extracellular compartments from thyroid
dysfunction. Areas involved include the shins, eyelids, back of hands.
Hydrostatic pressure refers to the pressure of fluids against the resistance of a vessel wall or tissue.
High levels of fluid can result in high blood pressure. The connection between edemas and blood
pressure can be intertwined.
Lymphedema is broken down into 2 words. Lymph which is the colorless to milky colored fluid in your
body. Edema, which means swelling. Lymphedema occurs when fluids build up in the soft tissues of the
body. Lymphedema is pronounced: Lim-fee-dee-ma. It can be spelled a variety of ways such as
lymphoedema, lymphadema, etc. All the various spellings mean the same condition.
There are 2 basic types of lymphedema.
1. Primary, heredity, sometimes called Nonne Milroy's Disease or Meige's disease which means you
are/were born with it.
2. Secondary or acquired, which means it came from a cause such as surgery, trauma, injury, etc.
Lymphedema can appear directly after surgery or trauma's or even 20 years down the road.
Filariasis is the infestation of the Brugia malayi parasite through mosquito or fly bites.
Lymphorrhea is the laking of lymph that has ruptured through the skin from skin breakdowns.
Self induced lymphedema is very rare but reported in which a tourniquet creates a fibrotic ring that
causes fluid build up.
Mayall's syndrome is extremely rare, caused by an arteriolo-venular shut which causes the development
of peripheral disease.
There are several stages of lymphedema.
Stage 0: subclinical or latent stage.
Stage 1: Completely and spontaneously reversible lymphedema. Lymphedema is considered chronic
after 3 months.
Stage 2: Spontaneously irreversible lymphedema. Edema persists for some times and fibrous tissue
forms.
Stage 3: Irreversible lymphedema. Very hard edema with no skin movement. Much fibrosis and hard
skin. Can be loss of joint movement and mobility.
Edema is said to be pitting when your finger impression remains on the skin after pressing down.
Lipedema involves the accumulation of fat in the tissues. Lipedematous tissue may cause true
lymphedema which results in the term lipolymphedema.
Myxedema is the accumulation of mucinoid substances in the extracellular compartments from thyroid
dysfunction. Areas involved include the shins, eyelids, back of hands.
Hydrostatic pressure refers to the pressure of fluids against the resistance of a vessel wall or tissue.
High levels of fluid can result in high blood pressure. The connection between edemas and blood
pressure can be intertwined.
SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS OF LYMPHEDEMA:
Puffiness, stiffness, fatigue, discomfort, tightness, pressure, heaviness, pain, numbness, hard
thickening skin, loss of motion, skin folds, and weight increase for no reason.
CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH LYMPHEDEMA:
High blood pressure, heart problems, venous problems, diabetes, thyroid conditions, inflammations,
infections, hormonal conditions and auto-immune conditions.
HOW IS LYMPHEDEMA DIAGNOSED?
In cases where patients might be suffering from a mixed form of edema's, a lymphoscintigraphy may
be used. It's called the gold standard of diagnostics. There are many variations with different tracers,
different injected amounts of dye. It must be done by a skilled examiner. CT, MRI, dopplers,
ultrasonic devices, and C-scans may be used as well. A venography may be needed to rule out blood
clots. In any case there is risk of reaction to the tracers/dyes used and/or infections. In most cases
physical examination and patient history are used to diagnose lymphedemas.
SYMPTOMS:
The symptoms of lymphedema vary from individual to individual. Some common symptoms include:
A feeling of fullness, heaviness, or tight skin in an arm or hand
Pain or aching
Jewelry such as a watches, rings or bracelets that feel too tight
Shirt sleeves or cuffs or pants that feel too tight
Weakness, fatigue, or decreased flexibility in the fingers, hand or wrist, ankles, toes.
Redness, visible swelling, or signs of infection in any part of the limb
Preventing and managing lymphedema boils down to just a few simple rules and some do's and don'ts.
The biggest thing to remember is to avoid injury or irritation to areas prone to or affected by
lymphedema.
Injuries and irritation include: Falls, bruises, bumps, slivers, bug bites, scratches, hives, bee stings,
sunburn, razer irritation, repetitive injury, over exertion, burns, too tight clothing, and being in one
position too long.
Puffiness, stiffness, fatigue, discomfort, tightness, pressure, heaviness, pain, numbness, hard
thickening skin, loss of motion, skin folds, and weight increase for no reason.
CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH LYMPHEDEMA:
High blood pressure, heart problems, venous problems, diabetes, thyroid conditions, inflammations,
infections, hormonal conditions and auto-immune conditions.
HOW IS LYMPHEDEMA DIAGNOSED?
In cases where patients might be suffering from a mixed form of edema's, a lymphoscintigraphy may
be used. It's called the gold standard of diagnostics. There are many variations with different tracers,
different injected amounts of dye. It must be done by a skilled examiner. CT, MRI, dopplers,
ultrasonic devices, and C-scans may be used as well. A venography may be needed to rule out blood
clots. In any case there is risk of reaction to the tracers/dyes used and/or infections. In most cases
physical examination and patient history are used to diagnose lymphedemas.
SYMPTOMS:
The symptoms of lymphedema vary from individual to individual. Some common symptoms include:
A feeling of fullness, heaviness, or tight skin in an arm or hand
Pain or aching
Jewelry such as a watches, rings or bracelets that feel too tight
Shirt sleeves or cuffs or pants that feel too tight
Weakness, fatigue, or decreased flexibility in the fingers, hand or wrist, ankles, toes.
Redness, visible swelling, or signs of infection in any part of the limb
Preventing and managing lymphedema boils down to just a few simple rules and some do's and don'ts.
The biggest thing to remember is to avoid injury or irritation to areas prone to or affected by
lymphedema.
Injuries and irritation include: Falls, bruises, bumps, slivers, bug bites, scratches, hives, bee stings,
sunburn, razer irritation, repetitive injury, over exertion, burns, too tight clothing, and being in one
position too long.
WHAT IS LYMPHEDEMA?
This website accepts no grants, no
funding, and accepts no donations for
its service, I do not receive any
funding from links, banners, or
advertising. This site is funded 100%
by me. My Lymphland website does
not host or receive funding from
advertising or from the display of
commercial content.
funding, and accepts no donations for
its service, I do not receive any
funding from links, banners, or
advertising. This site is funded 100%
by me. My Lymphland website does
not host or receive funding from
advertising or from the display of
commercial content.
Phone and fax: 1-206-338-5495
VOTED ONE OF YAHOO'S BEST OF HEALTH & WELLNESS 2007.
We are members of a breast cancer
webring in order to bring cancer
patients with lymphedema to us so
that they may receive the help they
deserve, there is no financial gain or
other reason for the webring.
webring in order to bring cancer
patients with lymphedema to us so
that they may receive the help they
deserve, there is no financial gain or
other reason for the webring.
Information on our website is meant to complement and not
replace your doctors advice. Since many doctors are not
knowledgeable about lymphedema, you may see information
on my site that is different from what your doctor has told
you. In the event that happens, please contact me for a list of
lymphedema specialists that you can take to your doctor to
get a referral to go see. We are advocating to medical
schools and our legislatures to make lymphedema training
mandatory curriculum for all medical professionals.
replace your doctors advice. Since many doctors are not
knowledgeable about lymphedema, you may see information
on my site that is different from what your doctor has told
you. In the event that happens, please contact me for a list of
lymphedema specialists that you can take to your doctor to
get a referral to go see. We are advocating to medical
schools and our legislatures to make lymphedema training
mandatory curriculum for all medical professionals.
Page updated 2/25/09
Sources: Tina Budde and Excerpts from Dr.
Chikly's book "Silent Waves" 2001.
Chikly's book "Silent Waves" 2001.
Lymphland International lymphedema Online
SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS
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