How are you Kicker? So sorry to hear you have edema as it can be a real nuisance and difficult to control. Is it in your legs? That's where my lymphedema is, feet to just below my knees. For me, it comes from immobility, another wonderful off-shoot of MS.

It's really important to find out what the cause/type is as others have mentioned since some can be dangerous -- cellulitis. At this point, after having it for over two years, my pcp takes care of things, but if the open wounds persist, you should see a wound-care specialist or a lymphedema specialist. Not many of them around. My legs are huge with lumps all over my feet. The home-health nurse comes once a week, soaks them and washes the "gunk" off and alternates between Una Boots and regular bandages. The leaking stuff gets really stinky...

Try and elevate the area, I now have electric compression boots. It's recommended I use them twice a day for 45 mins. each time, but I can't get them on/off by myself so have to wait until somebody is here to help.

As I understand it, it will be an on-going problem unless I can walk again. The pressure on the bottom of the feet actually pushes the lymph back up into the system again. I also have pressure sores on the bottom of my heel area from always resting on the footrests of my chair. Isn't life great!!??

All the best to you and please keep us up-to-date. Maybe your advanced healthcare places there in Maryland will have some better advice! Take care