Lymphodema anyone?

[SuGaRCoAteDPoiSOn]

Just been diagnosed with this but not had a lot of info as yet - waiting for an appointment from my referral.

I've googled and some of the images are hideous - I'm dreading getting like that. Anyway, I'd really be happier if someone could reassure me that I won't get elephant legs and a bit of info about the treatment and what helps to keep it at bay.. pleaaaaaaaaaaaase?

OMG yes.
Havent ever really spoken to anyone else as its so rare in young women.Many seem to be secondary to cancer treatment which fortunately i havent got.
I have a very good lymph therapist who fitted me (i mean really fitted as in measured every cm of my leg ! ) for support hoisery.There are fabulous.
I have 2 pairs of lacy hold ups and some knee highs for under trousers.In hot weather or if on my feet all day i make sure i wear them and it really helps.
I also treat myself to a foot massage pre holiday or special occassion.
I keep my toe nails pretty and believe it or not my fav trick is fake tan.Fat ankles always look slimmer tanned.(How sad am i ? ).
A good diet def. helps as does not being overweight.
I swim every single day-even when my feet are so swollen i feel like they are gonna split i still go.
Avoid smoking.
Drink plenty to avoid build up of toxins.
Apply moisturiser every day.
Really gets to me sometimes but have after many years become more laid back Instead of hiding my legs i just tell people, let them have a good look and plant my feet up somewhere comfy!
Hope yours isnt too bad . Try some of the websites and youll find your local therapist.You can then ask your gp for a referral.
Take care.

Thank you!!!!!!

You've made it sound much less scary and horrific especially the hosiery.. I was expecting thick granny things!! I know who the local therapist is as she looks after my mum who's having problems with her leg after surgery. She looked at me the other day, got me to roll my jeans up and had a poke and told me to get my gp t refer me to her, so that's the situation so far. She did mention some type of bandaging for weeks at a time and having to see a chiropodist regularly.

Mine is bad enough that bootleg jeans are tight around the calf on me and sometimes my feet spill over the tops of shoes, which is hideous. The skin on my legs feels too tight at times and I've got beautifully deformed ankles, one of them looks like a hard boiled egg!! When I had asked my gp about it last summer he just said it was probably the heat and not to worry about it

Fortunately mine is not the post cancer type either.