Perplexing client

[Baps .]

I have a client, relatively new, who has some strange issues with her legs. From her ankles almost to her knees the muscles are hard and stiff, like nothing I've ever felt before. The naturopath who referred her to me said they felt "petrified", that's the best description I can come up with.

Some background.....She's 50ish, has fibro. About 10 years ago she was diagnosed with leukemia, went into remission for about 2 years. In 2001 she had a bone marrow transplant and more chemo, was told she had only a small percent chance of surviving more than a few years. So far, she's doing great. Her main complaint, besides being tired and achy from the fibro, is her legs. They hurt constantly and her walking is being affected because they are so stiff. None of her doctors have any idea what is causing this, one suggested it was the fibro, another suggested it was the transplant.

Any ideas?

 

[Allie Jane ~]

Is there any discoloration or temperature difference?

 

[flybishop]

Nope, none at all.

 

[Rohn]

What's her water intake like? And does she do any physical activity?

 

[KatieLovesMichael]

Lymphedema

It could be a lymphatic issue. Lymphedema is a common side effect of chemotherapy. I've seen this in my practice. In the books, they often show lymphedema as distorted swelling, but there are milder cases where the swelling doesn't look distorted, but manifests as a hard, fibrous swelling of the lower legs. Here's a good description from the perspective of a person who has chronic lymphedema: http://www.lymphland.com

Mamajen, I don't know if you're still working with this client, but if you are, I recommend referring her to a lymphatic drainage specialist. Or, if you're interested, you can pursue training in this specialty yourself. One resource is: http://www.iahe.com/controller/IaheCurriculumDisplay?curriculumCode=LDT

 

[norah]

I had a client who had similar problem - she was diagnosed with Scleroderma. Hardening of tissue, there are several different kinds and they all affect different parts of the body.

 

[froglady]

As I was reading the first post I kept thinking about my mom. I knew what i was going to post then I get down a few more post and healingtouch already posted it.

Sounds to me like Scleroderma. My mom has it and her muscles are stiff as well. No amount of work done to them will loosen them.
I would ask her if she has been checked for it and if she isn't I would advise her to ask her DR. to check her for it.
I will say though when I would massage my mom, her muscles felt strange. There was zero movement in them. Painful to her and she would expect me to make it better and no matter what I did it never made it better.
I can't massage her anymore for my own personal reasons. After everytime I massaged her I would walk away from her and cry as I would feel what this disease was doing to her.


Please keep us informed of your client. I wish her the very best! and you as well!

 

[shabba]

Thanks for the scleroderma info! This sounds just like my client. I will definitely ask if it's been mentioned at all.

 

[nonya]

Scleroderma

Mamajen,

Before you mention the possibility of Scleroderma to your client, you should know that this can be a progressive and fatal disease. (This is only the case for 1/3 of those diagnosed; for the rest, the disease stays localized). Either way, there’s no cure, so it can be a scary diagnosis. I’m not saying you shouldn’t mention it to her. In fact, prompt diagnosis and treatment may minimize the symptoms and lessen the chance for irreversible damage. However, your approach needs to be gentle. If you want more information, here’s a good website:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/scleroderma/DS00362

 

[Nero]

One other thought... just as an aside - she may well have something in the sclerodermal range. Another thought though, and it would definitely be better in regard to outcome (so we can always keep our fingers crossed) is that medication can really affect how the muscles feel. Hopefully this is just a by-product of all of the medication she has been taking.

Even a few asprin will make the muscles "feel different" on occasion. So, I am figuring if that is the case--- just what can happen when you've been undergoing something like chemo?

Here's hoping for the best in her situation.