I have scleroderma, and want to know how to fight the swelling of the hands and feet?
I have only this severe swelling of the hands or at night and when I drink. I have to sleep with the house too cold for the swelling to remain at a minimum. When I drink, my hands get really swollen and hot. During the day do not have much of any symptoms. A real drag not being able to use the ring, and I can not wear my wedding rings, and I'm a ring-o-holic.
Hi Dana, I have a similar problem and swells badly at night that sometimes I can not close my hands and my legs and thighs are bad too. I can wear pantyhose right now for my legs and that helps a lot and I can do ankle pumps (to move my foot up and down) – This helps to promote the swelling of the area. Any form of muscle movement and contraction will help push fluid out of the area. I also do Manual Lymphatic Drainage to remove fluid from the area. This is a link to a video. I have the DVD and is helpful: http://www.realbodywork.com/lymph/lymph.htm compression garments work better than pantyhose. You can use them at night while sleeping or any time. They make stockings and gloves decrease edema: This site looks great but I have not ordered from them yet. You may want to add bookmarks. SOCKS: http://www.lymphedemaproducts.com/products/socks.html GLOVES: http://www.lymphedemaproducts.com/products/gloves.html have not received a diagnosis yet – and I wish I could know why I'm so swollen. It really only happens at night and in the shower. Consult your doctor if you are okay to use garments compression to help. I really do not think they are contraindicated for scleroderma. But MLD can be – I'm not sure.
I’m Back. Been in and out of Hosp and ICU but am getting better now