Will Lasix help lymphedema?!
Question: Will Lasix help lymphedema!?
Recently I went on a road trip and was away from my computer!. The swelling in my legs almost disappeared and I lost 10 LBS! After I was at home for a few days and using my desktop, again, my legs were swollen again and I gained 6 LBS!. I think that my legs are swelling because I sit at the computer for five hours a day or more!. I am wondering if Lasix will help the swelling!. I also noticed while I was away that I used the bathroom (urinated) a lot more, even when I didn't drink any liquids!. Help! What can I do!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
I agree entirely with the previous response, so here's just one added thought: you have actually found a solution for the swelling - the thing that seems to be different about your road trip and your usual work day is the amount of physical activity, so it appears that just moving around throughout the day is all you need!. Muscle contractions works as a pump to keep fluids moving through the lymph system!. Some people with lymphedema have complete or nearly complete blockages that prevent the pumping mechanism from working!. You are lucky - it appears that your system still works OK if you get the right amount of physical activity!.
You may be able to keep the swelling under control by walking around the block for 10 minutes or so before work, during breaks, and after work; and during work, you can try standing up at your desk every so often and doing several toe raises, where you completely flex and then release all of your leg muscles while standing on your toes!. While sitting at your chair, you can also bend your knee and ankles and flex the muscles to keep pumping the lymph fluids!.
One person i used to work with got an adjustable desk for work so she could either stand or sit at her desk and still work on the computer!. The desk would lower to a normal height and raise up to a comfortable position for working in standing position!. She also got a wireless headset for her phone, and she would walk around in her cubicle when she was on the phone!. These types of things might help you!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
You may be able to keep the swelling under control by walking around the block for 10 minutes or so before work, during breaks, and after work; and during work, you can try standing up at your desk every so often and doing several toe raises, where you completely flex and then release all of your leg muscles while standing on your toes!. While sitting at your chair, you can also bend your knee and ankles and flex the muscles to keep pumping the lymph fluids!.
One person i used to work with got an adjustable desk for work so she could either stand or sit at her desk and still work on the computer!. The desk would lower to a normal height and raise up to a comfortable position for working in standing position!. She also got a wireless headset for her phone, and she would walk around in her cubicle when she was on the phone!. These types of things might help you!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Diuretics like Lasix aren't really used for treatment of lymphedema!. This is a guess, but I'm pretty sure that it's related to the fact that it's lymph fluid and not excess water in the limb!. taking a diuretic would put someone such as you at risk for dehydration, as well as electrolyte imbalance!.
To help control lymphedema there are a couple things you can do!. Definitely get compression bands to wear on your legs!. These can significantly reduce swelling within the limbs!. Also, your doc can give you some exercises that can help to lymph fluid move out of the limb!. Massage therapy can be very beneficial as well!. Some insurance companies will cover it, others won't!. Most massage therapists will show you how to do the massage at home!. Massage will also help lymph fluid to return to normal circulation!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
To help control lymphedema there are a couple things you can do!. Definitely get compression bands to wear on your legs!. These can significantly reduce swelling within the limbs!. Also, your doc can give you some exercises that can help to lymph fluid move out of the limb!. Massage therapy can be very beneficial as well!. Some insurance companies will cover it, others won't!. Most massage therapists will show you how to do the massage at home!. Massage will also help lymph fluid to return to normal circulation!.Www@Answer-Health@Com