Pain NOT caused by Lymphedema??

What? This horrible pain I'm in not caused by the one thing that causes all my legs pain-lymphedema? How can that be? My LE doc thinks my lymphedema is under control, which means there shouldn't be anything different with the amount of pain/swelling I always feel. So this pain, which has been consuming me for the past 2 weeks or so has to do with what? OK, so I take fertility meds. It could be from that? Maybe. I'm waiting for my fertility doc to call me back. There is a serious side effect of leg/calf pain and swelling from taking progesterone. Maybe it's that? This is so annoying and frustrating.

I called my HR lady at work and told her what was going on, 'cause, no surprise, I called out again. She's sending me all the paperwork for a medical leave and long term disability. I'll figure out what I'm gonna do once I read through everything. My lymphedema doc won't fill out the medical leave form 'cause she thinks my pain doesn't stem from the lymphedema. So if it is the meds I'm on, maybe my fertility doc will fill it out. And if he doesn't, then I guess I have to go to my primary doc to get all kinds of tests done to see what's causing this terrible pain.

Right now I'm reclining with my legs elevated in hopes that my pain will subside soon. I know that there are many other people in the world that have it worse than me right now and I know I should be thankful I still have the ability to walk and be somewhat functional. But can I tell you a secret? I hate that old cliche: "It could be worse." Well ya know what, it is worse for me right now. Everyone has their own problems and we can always tell everyone with medical issues, hard times, or anything else that's going on with them, that "it can be worse." That's just something to tell people so they can, what? Cheer up? It's a load of bull. My problem is real and I'm facing it right now. Yeah, it can be worse, but right now this is what it is and hopefully it doesn't get worse. Sorry about my ranting. But it's true.

The Dr.'s In

Went to my lymphedema doc today. Told them about the pain I've been having and they think it might be due to some medications I'm on. Unfortunately I have to take the meds so I'm hoping that the pain will subside soon, otherwise I don't know what I'm gonna do.

My legs still hurt, my left one more than the right. It feels like someone used my thigh as a punching bag. Or…you know the feeling when you've done so many squats and your thighs burn? That's how it feels. I saw my HR lady at work today to get new FML forms to fill out. She could tell I was in a lot of pain, which is good, I guess, 'cause then maybe they can tell I'm not making this up. Anyway, got the forms and she asked if a medical leave would be a consideration. I would take a medical leave if it would help, but with lymphedema you could be off your feet for a week and the next time you're on them for even just half a day, you can start to have problems again. Then she asked if medical disability would be an option. I pay for it as part of my benefits from work. I guess it's something to look into. The only thing is that I have to be out of work for 6 months before I would start getting paid. Hmm. What to do?

My husband is very supportive with all that is going on. I love him to death. He even rubs my feet and gives me lymphedema massages when I really hurt. I know he can't possibly understand how this feels, as no one can who doesn't have lymphedema, but he tries so hard to understand. I hope that everyone out there who suffers from this or any other disease has a support system at home. It can feel really lonely at times, but just having someone there who loves you and tries to make you laugh when you're down, is sometimes all you need to get through the day.