Hey Bob
Super welcome to the family here
Don't get me started with the Agent Orange issue. I've just known too many people who were really messed up from that garbage. It really infuriates me too how they have been treated by our government.
Angioedema is pretty serious, most people don't realize how life threatening it can be. We do have a brief info page on it too:
Angioedemahttp://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/do ... angioedemaBob, I would imagine that massive infection was the final trigger for the lymphedema. It's well documented in the medical literature on infections, the damage they actually do to the lymphatics with subsequent lymphedema.
If you haven't been to a certified lymphedema therapist, I urge you to get a referral to one as soon as you can. At least there, you would get a complete evaluation, go through some therapy to help on the swelling and get a management process going. As you heal from everything, this is going to be central in not only preventing additional swelling, but also will help in the prevention of further infections and will greatly improve your quality of life.
Not sure if you have seen our page on leg lymhpedema:
Leg Lymphedemahttp://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/do ... lymphedemaThe page has extensive info on it, including possible complications, treatment, stages and info on many things you can do yourself to help.
If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate for even a second to post them. We are all here for each other
Am I understanding you correctly that you are a psychologist? If so the training on helping people survive trauma is going to be a super asset for you as you learn about LE.
One important thing that I wish all lymphers could understand is that having lymphedema doesn't mean you have to quit living, It just means you'll need to adapt your activities in relation to the lymphedema. With proper management, there is still a massive amount of good activities you can do.
I think the biggest challenge we all have is in coping with the emotional impact of LE. Just the time that you think you have things figured out, it really throws you for a loop.
You may find this page helpful too:
Lymphedema For the Newly Diagnosedhttp://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/do ... _diagnosedI hear you about being fatigued with medical crappola. I'm not sure I have a very good reputation with doctors in this area. I tend to be pretty much of a pit bull with those who tried the "spreading manure" concept. After having LE for every day of my 57 years, I can really tell some horror stories about doctors, and their lack of knowledge and/or flat disinterest in the condition. Thank God now I do have a team of doctors that I have profound respect for and who really care about their patients.
BTW, one of them is an ID doc - and I'm glad to hear you've been under an ID docs care. Mine (Dr. Raizes) has been a real life saver for me. By the time I finally found him, I had been through a series of hospitalizations for cellulitis. Once I even had to be on two IV antibiotics for several months. He put me on a preventative antibiotic therapy and I've had only one minor infection in the last four years.
Anyway, don't mean to ramble here. Glad you found us and joined and as I said don't hesitate to bring up any questions or concerns. Even if it is just to vent, we here for that too.
My best to you
Pat