I will pray for you both. I understand both sides of this. As a woman who’s dealing with pain, arthritis, possibly MS, anxiety and depression because of the above mentioned. And as a daughter who watched her mother suffer for years and trying everything imaginable to help her get some relief.

Good to know. Non-medicinal treatment is cold compression. You can typically find the eye mask that goes into a freezer at any retail store. Other treatments are green tea bags steeped and then cooled. Hemorrhoid creams are an option but some say yay and others say nay. I would be selective on anything that has a menthol odor as it can burn the eyes. Lowering sodium intake is another way to help as well. Collagen and vitamin C are also helpful.

So, retention and swelling sounds like it’s linked to a cardiovascular or kidney/liver issue…does she have congestive heart failure or in kidney failure? Cirrhosis? It could also be from medications she’s taking. Manual lymphatic drainage is a common technique used by massage therapists to help drain excess fluid from the person’s body. It involves the use of moderate-pressure strokes, performed upwards, that encourage greater movement of the lymphatic system. When the lymphatic system is stimulated, it forces fluid and waste out of the body; thus, reducing the severity of edema. But you need to be very careful and specific on where you take your mama. Be sure to tell them all of her health issues as well. A TENS device works just as good and it’s a lot cheaper. I’m not sure about the Daith piercing. I’ve heard mixed opinions on it.

Hi there. Before I list some things that can help your mom, does she also suffer from a thyroid disorder?

Her organs are fine and in working order. They say they don’t know why she swells this way. Her rheumatologist says it’s her autoimmune disorders causing it. She was in the hospital recently, they suspected heart failure because of the edema, but her heart is fine. I will look into the lymphatic massage you mentioned however, and make sure it is safe for her to undergo this type of treatment. I bought her a wireless tens unit last year, she says it does help with the pain. Thank you so much for your advice and kindness.