Lymphedema Facts of My Life

25/10/2025

Interesting 🧐

Where Does the Lymph Go After Drainage?

From Puff to Flush—Your Body’s Hidden Detox Highway!

Hey Lymphies!
Ever wondered what actually happens to the lymph after your MLD (Manual Lymphatic Drainage) or dry brushing session? Where does all that puffiness and extra fluid go? Let’s take a journey through your body’s magical drainage map—because the flow doesn’t stop at your skin!

First Things First—What IS Lymph?

Lymph is a clear-ish fluid filled with:
• Water
• Proteins
• Cellular waste
• Immune cells
• Bacteria, viruses, and toxins

It’s like your body’s wastewater, and your lymphatic system is the plumbing network designed to collect it from your tissues and send it packing!

The Drainage Route (The Fun Part!)

After you stimulate your lymphatic system (through MLD, exercise, rebounding, or infrared saunas), here’s what happens step-by-step:

1. Tissues → Lymph Capillaries
Lymph fluid is collected from between your cells (where waste builds up). Think of this as your body picking up trash from every neighborhood.

2. Lymph Capillaries → Collecting Vessels
These vessels have valves to push lymph forward (like a one-way street!). They move it toward central lymph nodes.

3. Nodes → Filter Party!
Lymph passes through lymph nodes, where it gets filtered. Immune cells here attack bacteria, viruses, and debris.
It’s like your lymph goes through a security checkpoint!

4. Cleaned Lymph → Ducts
Filtered lymph travels to the thoracic duct (left side of your neck) or right lymphatic duct—the final stop before exiting!

5. Ducts → Subclavian Vein
Here’s the magic moment!
The ducts drain the lymph directly into your bloodstream, at the base of your neck, where the subclavian vein lives.

6. Bloodstream → Kidneys + Liver
Now the filtered lymph becomes part of your circulating blood. From here:
• Kidneys filter out water-soluble waste → p*e it out!
• Liver handles fat-soluble toxins and waste → p**p it out!

And voilà!
Your lymph just became waste… and left your body.
Flush complete!

That’s Why You Might Notice…
• More p*eing after a session
• Increased bowel movements
• Feeling thirsty
• Fatigue (your body is processing the detox!)
• Reduced swelling or puffiness

So YES—you’re not imagining it. The flush is real.

Fun Lymphie Facts:
• You have 500–700 lymph nodes in your body!
• The thoracic duct drains around 75% of your lymph!
• Your lymphatic system can move 1.5–3 liters of lymph per day with the right support!
• No heart? No pump! The lymph system depends on movement, breath, and pressure (that’s why you NEED to move!).

Support the Flush:
• Hydrate (lymph is mostly water!)
• Move daily (walking, rebounding, stretching)
• Breathe deep (diaphragmatic breathing helps move lymph!)
• Massage & MLD
• Eat clean (to reduce toxin load)

So, Where Does It Go?

In simple terms:
Lymph → Blood → Kidneys/Liver → Toilet!
Your body is brilliant. And your lymphatic system? Even more so.

So the next time you finish your session and head to the loo—give a little thanks to the silent flow keeping you well.






References / Research Links:
• Cleveland Clinic – Lymphatic System Overview
• NCBI – Physiology of the Lymphatic System
• Lymphatic Research and Biology Journal

Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.

©️

25/10/2025

I think the poll I posted a few days ago says it all.
In pain 212votes.
No pain 18 votes .
Sometimes pain 65votes.

The only reason I done that experiment was because of the world telling us that we don’t have pain with lymphedema. I even had CLTs coming on here saying it. I done a little experiment. 🤷🏽‍♀️ We celebrate the ones that don’t experience it. That blesses my heart! And we celebrate those that get a break in between. But there are many who do suffer with it everyday unfortunately. My heart breaks for you. Big hugs!🩵🦋🩵🦋🩵🦋

25/10/2025

Born without lymph nodes resulting in full body lymphedema

24/10/2025

What you see is a smile. What you don't see is the constant ache, the fatigue, and the quiet grief of feeling different. Living with lymphedema often means carrying battles no one can see. If you can relate, drop a heart. You are not alone.

, , ,

24/10/2025

National Bologna Day is celebrated annually on October 24th, because who doesn't love a good excuse to chow down on some lunch meat? The day honors the classic, and somewhat questionable, lunch staple, which is basically a variation of the Italian sausage mortadella, but let's be real, it's bologna.

24/10/2025

Why a "simple" task like cleaning can be excruciating for patients.

For many, a messy house is a stressor. But for those with chronic pain or fatigue, the act of cleaning isn't just stressful—it's a physical and mental battle. This post explores why daily chores are an invisible burden for patients.

1. The Physical Toll: Repetitive Motions and Awkward Posture

*Repetitive Motions: Cleaning involves repetitive actions like scrubbing, wiping, and lifting. For patients with conditions like lymphedema, lipedema, fibromyalgia, arthritis, or back pain, these motions can lead to muscle fatigue, soreness, inflammation, or flare-ups.

*Poor Posture and Strain: Tasks like vacuuming, mopping, or leaning over a sink force the body into awkward positions, straining the back, neck, shoulders, and knees. Proper ergonomics often goes out the window during the rush to get chores done.

*Energy Management (Spoon Theory): The energy needed to clean is a limited resource for patients with chronic fatigue. As one patient explained, you can't "do it all" in one session, and overexerting yourself on a "good" day can lead to worse pain later.

2. The Mental and Emotional Weight: Guilt, Anxiety, and Fatigue

*The Vicious Cycle of Guilt: Patients often feel immense guilt and frustration when they can't maintain a "normal" level of cleanliness. This can cause anxiety and stress, which in turn can worsen physical pain and fatigue.

*The Overwhelm of "The Mess": A messy environment can be overwhelming and adds to a patient's cognitive load. For someone with chronic pain, deciding where to even start with a cluttered room can be paralyzing.

*The Unseen Struggle: Unlike a visible injury, the exhaustion and pain caused by household chores are often invisible to others. Patients may feel misunderstood or judged by friends and family who don't understand why they can't simply "push through it."

3. What helps patients cope?

*Pacing and Scheduling: Breaking tasks into smaller, manageable chunks is key. A patient might only clean for 10–15 minutes at a time, followed by a rest.

*Asking for Help: Asking friends, family, or even hiring a cleaning service can significantly reduce the physical and emotional burden.

*Using Ergonomic Tools: Lightweight vacuums, long-handled dusters, and reacher/grabber tools can minimize strain.

*Reframing "Clean Enough": Patients learn to set more realistic expectations and focus on what's most important, letting go of the pressure to achieve a spotless home. This mental shift is crucial for their well-being.

23/10/2025

On October 23rd, prepare to drool over a dessert that's like the class clown - it's a total game-changer! National Boston Cream Pie Day pays tribute to the ridiculously amazing, chocolate-smothered, custard-stuffed cake that's stolen the hearts and taste buds of millions.

23/10/2025

The lymphedema journey is rarely a straight line. There are days you feel on top of your management routine, and others where it feels like a constant battle. We get it.

This community was built on the understanding that no matter the struggles or the triumphs, we can lean on each other. So whether you're celebrating a small victory or needing a shoulder to lean on, know that you have a whole community standing with you.

22/10/2025

NATIONAL NUT DAY

National Nut Day is observed annually on October 22nd. This day is NOT about the neighbor that lives down the street or the co-worker who sings with their headphones on. It is a food holiday celebrating a healthy and nutritious snack.



Nuts are a highly prized food and energy source and are a primary source of nutrients for both humans and wildlife. Many of them are used in cooking, eaten raw, sprouted, or roasted as a snack food, and pressed for oil that is used in cookery and cosmetics. The fats found in nuts, for the most part, are unsaturated fats, including monounsaturated fats.

22/10/2025

Did you know that lipedema can cause lymphedema? This progressive disease of painful fat, affecting primarily women, can eventually overwhelm and damage the lymphatic system, leading to the fluid buildup of lymphedema. This combined condition (both painful) is called lipo-lymphedema.
For too long, women with lipedema have been misdiagnosed or simply told to lose weight. But lipedema fat is different—it's resistant to diet and exercise and requires specialized care.
This is a call for greater awareness and understanding. If you experience disproportionate fat in your legs or arms, easy bruising, or pain that worsens over time, please know that you deserve a proper diagnosis.

I also have lipo-lymphedema. I haven’t spoke of lipedema often. I think mainly because mine came after lymphedema. I feel awareness of lipedema is important as is lymphedema! 🩵🦋