A mum whose face swells up so much she is left looking like the "elephant man" claims she has found a "miracle" remedy to her condition on Amazon.
Jade Mcguiness, 31 and from Liverpool, felt like she was given a "life sentence" when she was told she suffered from lymphoedema, an incurable condition which in her case causes swelling in her neck and face.
The said the diagnosis came after radiotherapy and surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from her saliva gland.
She had then been diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma after finding a lump in her neck that caused her "agony".
That was thankfully removed with success and Jade was thrilled to finally be relieved of the pain, the Liverpool Echo reports.
But she was then shocked when it led to a diagnosis which she said was "even more devastating" than cancer.
Jade told the Echo : "I was made up after the surgery, I bought the doctor a bevvy and chocolates because I’d not touched a pain killer since the operation , I was amazed."
Jade continued with her radiotherapy, which she described as "awful", but said the real shock came after a visit to the dentist.
She said: "I went the dentist and she said ‘what is that?’
"She said she was booking me an emergency referral because she wasn’t happy with the swelling.
"So I went in and the doctor said he's happy with how my treatment is going but the swelling is caused by lymphedema. I was in shock."
The mum-of-two described the lymphoedema diagnosis as being "more devastating" than finding out she had cancer and like she’d been "given a life sentence".
The 31-year-old added: "The doctor said the swelling was caused by the trauma to the neck from radiotherapy and my surgery.
"That knocked me sick because he said there was nothing I could do to reduce the swelling, just some massages.
"I've always struggled with the way I look and getting told that was a massive hit, it killed me off.
"I had finally gotten over the cancer trauma but then I thought I’m stuck looking like this forever.
"I’ll get rid of the cancer, I am going to beat that, but I got told this lump was for life, it's like being given a life sentence."
According to the NHS there is no cure for lymphoedema.
On its website the NHS adds: "It's usually possible to control the main symptoms using techniques to minimise fluid build-up and stimulate the flow of fluid through the lymphatic system.
"These include wearing compression garments, taking good care of your skin, moving and exercising regularly, having a healthy diet and lifestyle, and using specialised massage techniques."
Jade said she started looking into home remedies after being unsatisfied with doctors advice.
She ordered a neck strap from Amazon and her friend gave her some 'thermogenesis gel' and claims she started to see results within an hour.
Jade said that the "miracle" discovery has saved her life and that she now wants others with lymphedema to know about the options available.
She said: "I wrapped my face up for an hour. I'd already taken a photo of my face before the strap and gel and I sat and I waited praying for a miracle, then I removed the strap and here are the results. I am over the moon.
"I now don't wake up with a puffy face. I wear my strap for an hour a day and it saves my life."
Jade added: "I thought how many other people are living like me depressed to death because I even joined the gym and everything thinking I'd put weight on, but even if I did lose weight I'd still look like the elephant man and have a fat face.
"I'm not about to take things sitting down and I know there are a lot of people like me."
