In Future

After the most informative and lengthy initial consultation at Clatterbridge Lymphoedema Clinic, I am beginning to see some hope in my treatment. Although it was a long few months of self management and no appointments, this appointment has been a reason for optimism. Firstly, I now have a stack of knowledge on my condition, specific to my case. I have been taught to do SLD (Simple Lymphatic Drainage) on myself which is the process of massaging not only my leg itself but my whole body from my neck downwards. This is done in a series of inward, outward, upward and downward presses to assist my body in draining fluids through the main lymph glands around my body. Eventually, this will allow the fluid in my leg to have more space to drain to and possibly reduce my swelling.

Additionally, I have been booked to have Pneumatic Lymphatic Therapy and wrapping. This is the process of completing SLD on the leg to begin, before placing a large inflatable boot onto my leg with different flows of air pressure to manipulate the fluids out of my leg. After this has been done, my leg will be wrapped tighly with bandage for 2 weeks with intermittent pneumatic therapy between wrappings. I will have 4 appointments through 2 weeks, three of which contain both treatments and one which contains just the pneumatic therapy. The goal of this treatment is to permanently reduce swelling to wear a smaller compression garment.

I have also been given contact to a microsurgery at Oxford Lymphoedema Practice, to possibly reduce the swelling more long-term. This surgery cannot be considered until an ICG and lymphoscintigraphy scan have been completed to determine where my defected lymphatic is. These scans are difficult to recieve as they're expensive and too complicated for the NHS. There is the opportunity of receiving one by a private healthcare which could progress my treatment in a more substantial way.

I will continue to self manage and am happy to finally get some answers and new techniques to help my leg.