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Discussion

Lymphedema

Does anybody out there work with lymphedema. I am a bone marrow transplant survivor and got lymphedema in both legs secondary to lymphadenectomy for Hodgkins disease. I worked FT in LTC with it and managed my legs all along. They are in stage 2-3 now and it's become nearly impossible to work on my feet for an 8 hour shift. I am unemployed now and looking for some kind of work that can accommodate my issue. Any ideas?

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    • Featured Replies

    • Admin

    Are you looking for direct patient care? Those options may be fairly limited. However, there are non-bedside options such as management positions, education, case management, quality improvement, and others that may be a possibility.

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    • Author

    Probably not patient care at this point. I am an LPN so I am not sure what other options are available to me. I would be open to the latter suggestions in your post but not sure if I am qualified for some of them.

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    • Experts

    I have lymphedema in both legs due to ovarian cancer. Have you tried using Lympha Press compression sleeves? They inflate then deflate like a blood pressure cuff. Mine have been very successful in working fluid out of my legs.

    I'm not able to work due to other issues related to my illness, but I wanted to put this out there in case you haven't tried it.

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    I'm an EMT with stage two lymphedema praecox in both of hands. My dexterity is currently being maintained with size reduction with Lasix.

    Because walking and lifting pose an issue for you, I concur with the prior comments about looking into everything else out there in nursing beyond the bedside.

    Good luck to you.

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    • Author

    OCNRN63, thanks for your reply. I have the Sequential Circulator 3008 pneumatic compression pumps. It's the 8 chamber system the use in my therapy office. I run them once nightly. I do everything possible to manage my legs (drainage exercises daily, compression stockings during the day, pumps at night and multi bandage compression wrapping before bed) but they are slowly getting worse. :( The problem with my legs is that they "fill up" faster now than before. I have more fibrotic tissue too, particularly in my ankles which makes wearing shoes uncomfortable after a while. I am awaiting an appealed decision for social security but I want to still try and work. I hate the idea that I have to feel financially strapped because I have to rely on SS. It's just very depressing. I hope your getting along okay. Take it easy.

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    • Author

    Thanks RunnerKate. I am also taking a low dose of Furosemide when I get really swollen and my systolic isn't 80 or 90! It's always so low... I can't imagine how hard it can be to deal with lymphedema in the hands. Ugh! As I said in my previous post, I do want to try something else in the nursing field so I don't have to be poor on SSD forever. I've been there before with my cancer junk and it wasn't fun...Take care. Keep running! :D

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    • Experts
    OCNRN63, thanks for your reply. I have the Sequential Circulator 3008 pneumatic compression pumps. It's the 8 chamber system the use in my therapy office. I run them once nightly. I do everything possible to manage my legs (drainage exercises daily, compression stockings during the day, pumps at night and multi bandage compression wrapping before bed) but they are slowly getting worse. :( The problem with my legs is that they "fill up" faster now than before. I have more fibrotic tissue too, particularly in my ankles which makes wearing shoes uncomfortable after a while. I am awaiting an appealed decision for social security but I want to still try and work. I hate the idea that I have to feel financially strapped because I have to rely on SS. It's just very depressing. I hope your getting along okay. Take it easy.

    The physical therapist I was going to had really nice compression straps that had velcro closure; their level of compression was similar to compression garments. Much nicer than having to try to put on compression stockings or deal with multiple ACE bandages.

    I can definitely sympathize with you; it is very frustrating. Take care.

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    • Author

    I have the Velcro straps (or Juxta fit) compression garments also. I don't use them often though, usually when I go camping because it's easier. At home I have to wrap because I find that I get the most out of wrapping. But Juxta fit just doesn't do it for me.

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