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TMI/Gross warning - I have sprung a leak!!

11 replies

WiddlinDiddlin · 20/07/2024 19:38

Round the back of my knees I have some horrible fluidy lymphedema, it was behaving quite well, reduced hugely when I started on Ozempic... but over the last few days (heat, diet, i do not know and my ozempic dose increased recently) its swollen up hugely, really tight and painful and 'crunchy'...

Caught the back of my knee on something day before yesterday... there is no visible wound as such, no blood... but I have been leaking lymph fluid ever since. Literally, it is running down my leg and into my sock and will not stop. So much so that after an hour on the sofa with some kitchen roll behind it, the paper was wet enough I could wring it out, it was as wet as if you'd held the paper under a running tap.

I cannot think what to put there - sitting in my wheelchair, it's dripping down my leg so ive got some paper in my sock to catch it, its annoying but not the end of the world, but nor is it going to make it stop.

Sitting on sofa, it seems to leak faster - I cannot put anything around my leg, it will not stay, wrong shape, too squishy etc.

We don't have any proper dressings and trying to use micropore tape was a fail, it won't stick where it gets wet and once the tissue is wet the tape falls off it...

And er, how do I make it stop cos running like a slowly leaking tap constantly is... awkward, and gross.

Ideas please, this doesn't feel like any sort of an emergency but it does feel like I ought to have a better solution than 'kitchen roll and continue to leak everywhere'.

OP posts:
thaegumathteth · 20/07/2024 19:47

I had similar after a hospital stay recently where I was pumped full of fluids.

You can't really do anything other than keep it as dry as you can - moisturise your skin as much as possible and perhaps use a barrier like Vaseline to stop the fluid irritating your skin

thaegumathteth · 20/07/2024 19:47

Oh and if you're able to then keep your leg up

WiddlinDiddlin · 20/07/2024 19:52

Yep, on it with the barrier cream - it is just like water and not sticky at all but cannot be good for my skin to be permanently wet as well as tight and full of fluid (the whole lower leg is tight and fatter than it should be but its only the back of the knee thats lumpy and obviously 'lymphy').

Can't get my leg up until work is done... 10pm. I shall just have to sit here and drip (hurrah for hard flooring).

DP is hilariously suggesting PTFE plumbers tape and sealant. I may need a volunteer to dig up our patio...

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thaegumathteth · 20/07/2024 19:53

Yep it was like water when I had it. It's really bloody depressing isn't it? I got in a bit of a state and imagined I'd never manage to stop it. It lasted about a week or two in the end despite my amateur dramatics.

missnevermind · 20/07/2024 19:56

Hold a sanitary towel in place to soak the liquids up. Especially in the wheelchair as it can be a bit more cushioned than with just the tissue and the gel will help it not drip down your leg.

WiddlinDiddlin · 20/07/2024 19:57

Yes I was a bit doom this morning when I had to go to the dentists with half a kitchen roll stuffed under my knee... or face the horror of DRIPPING on the floor in public?! Who the hell knew humans could spring a leak like this?!

Meantime, I have just clapped eyes on some reusable sanitary pads which will fit there just nicely without being bulky! Winner winner!

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WiddlinDiddlin · 20/07/2024 19:58

Ahh crossposted with you there @missnevermind just reached that conclusion! :D Ive got a reusable one for now and a more absorbant stick on one for later when I can get me leg up on the sofa!

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QuestionableMouse · 20/07/2024 20:02

I had to deal with this with my mam. You need proper dressing pads, tubigrip and bandages for you legs.

Mam had these prescribed https://www.molnlycke.co.uk/products-solutions/mesorb/

You also need to speak to your GP practice ASAP - they should be able direct you to a lymphodema clinic to be fitted with proper compression garments for your legs and you may also need a daily antibiotic because you're at high risk of getting cellulitis. They can also show you how to do proper lymph massage to help your legs drain.

Mesorb highly absorbent dressing with exudate barrier | Mölnlycke

Mesorb highly absorbent dressing can retain large amounts of wound exudate. It prevents external wound contamination protecting from exudate...

https://www.molnlycke.co.uk/products-solutions/mesorb

WiddlinDiddlin · 20/07/2024 20:05

Oh I've been asking for a referral to the lymph lot for nearly two years now, people keep mumbling that yes yes ok...and nothing ever bloody happens!

The issue I think is that compression and massage for heart related lymph issues is tricky and might not be safe... but apparently leaving me to swell up and leak is... just fine? I dunno. I'll go forth and annoy folk about it again (well, I will on Monday).

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WiddlinDiddlin · 21/07/2024 18:43

Sanitary pads with KT tape to hold them on, turned out to be the answer and at some point in the night (After filling several max plus night time pads!) it just stopped! Hurrah. Panic over!

OP posts:
missnevermind · 22/07/2024 06:56

Well done Widdlin. I remember getting up from my desk at home and stepping in a puddle and spending ages looking for a leak or trying to see what I had spilled and being absolutely horrified to find it was all me.
Compression is the answer I'm afraid. Try some compression leggins but do keep nagging at the doctor for a referral. My Lymphodema specialist nurse is almost my best friend now after nearly 10 years 😁

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