Where to get compression sleeves

sweetvickid
sweetvickid Member Posts: 459 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I have lymhedemia and am trying to find some cheaper resources for ordering on line. I know there was a posting on this but i can't find it.

Comments

  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    Get with a Certified Lymphedologist
    There are so many variables! Once you know the compression that you need and the size, then you can order off line but you can do more problems than help with the wrong sleeves/gloves/ night sleeves. Late Jan. will be a year that I've been dealing with lymphedema with a certified Lymphedemologist and still don't have the ideal in garmits. My night sleeve has been the best so far but it's not quite right so he's ordering me sleeves that are designed to go over it.

    Though I have a fair bit of edema, the heavy compression only increases it - light compression works the best for me. All of my sleeves and gloves are custom as my hand will not fit any of the standard sizes correctly - arm doesn't fit either really but is closer than hand.

    You will need a certified person to wrap and teach you how to wrap to reduce the edema before accurate measurements can be made for ordering. There are massage techniques you (or your partner) can learn to help drain.

    There are many sites that have compression 'stuff' - all of my day wear comes from Juzo and my night sleeve is from solaris. I don't have a lot of options where they come from as VA supplies them.

    Susan
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    Rague said:

    Get with a Certified Lymphedologist
    There are so many variables! Once you know the compression that you need and the size, then you can order off line but you can do more problems than help with the wrong sleeves/gloves/ night sleeves. Late Jan. will be a year that I've been dealing with lymphedema with a certified Lymphedemologist and still don't have the ideal in garmits. My night sleeve has been the best so far but it's not quite right so he's ordering me sleeves that are designed to go over it.

    Though I have a fair bit of edema, the heavy compression only increases it - light compression works the best for me. All of my sleeves and gloves are custom as my hand will not fit any of the standard sizes correctly - arm doesn't fit either really but is closer than hand.

    You will need a certified person to wrap and teach you how to wrap to reduce the edema before accurate measurements can be made for ordering. There are massage techniques you (or your partner) can learn to help drain.

    There are many sites that have compression 'stuff' - all of my day wear comes from Juzo and my night sleeve is from solaris. I don't have a lot of options where they come from as VA supplies them.

    Susan

    Yes, there are so many variables
    And, as Susan said, it's best to try to get an appointment with a certified lymphedema specialist. Depending upon where you live "try" can be the operative word. The problem is they are few are far between. It seems that the medical community (including surgeons, oncologists, etc.) have a hard time actually recognizing that lymphedema is an actual health problem for many, many post-surgery breast cancer patients. I live in a large city (Phoenix, AZ) and it took me 7 months(!) to get an appointment. I did all the research on my own (with the help of a friend who is a therapist but not a lymph specialist). I love my surgeon and onc. but they were not really that helpful in this type of after care.

    My sleeve and gloves came from Bioconcepts--right here in Phoenix. However, they have a website and ship nationwide. I was measured for this. Currently, I go to my lymph therapist 2x per week, but she has taught my husband how to tape me with Kinesio tape and I have been approved for a Flexitouch lymphatic drainage machine in my home. The idea is to be able to handle this all on your own. My lymphedema is primarily in my breast and trunk, so my treatment could be different from yours. I mainly got the glove/sleeve as a precautionary thing for when I fly.

    Good luck on your journey. It is very frustrating, but considering the alternative, I can deal with it.

    Hugs, Renee
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    missrenee said:

    Yes, there are so many variables
    And, as Susan said, it's best to try to get an appointment with a certified lymphedema specialist. Depending upon where you live "try" can be the operative word. The problem is they are few are far between. It seems that the medical community (including surgeons, oncologists, etc.) have a hard time actually recognizing that lymphedema is an actual health problem for many, many post-surgery breast cancer patients. I live in a large city (Phoenix, AZ) and it took me 7 months(!) to get an appointment. I did all the research on my own (with the help of a friend who is a therapist but not a lymph specialist). I love my surgeon and onc. but they were not really that helpful in this type of after care.

    My sleeve and gloves came from Bioconcepts--right here in Phoenix. However, they have a website and ship nationwide. I was measured for this. Currently, I go to my lymph therapist 2x per week, but she has taught my husband how to tape me with Kinesio tape and I have been approved for a Flexitouch lymphatic drainage machine in my home. The idea is to be able to handle this all on your own. My lymphedema is primarily in my breast and trunk, so my treatment could be different from yours. I mainly got the glove/sleeve as a precautionary thing for when I fly.

    Good luck on your journey. It is very frustrating, but considering the alternative, I can deal with it.

    Hugs, Renee

    My Drs (Chemo, rads, and
    My Drs (Chemo, rads, and surgeon) all sent for referrals to my PA within a 4 day span to get into the Certified Lymphedemologist and it was about a week til I saw him. He is a very well educated young man with a wealth of knowledge - unfortunately he is lacking in experience with mastectomy patients - I'm the 3rd one he's dealt with also the one giving him the most problems LOL. As a VA employee, he sees men almost exclusively so it's understandable. He has now decided to order a Flexi-Touch MLD machine for me to help with chest, under arm/body, shoulder and back. Don't know when I'll get it as he was off all last week for Thanksgiving and will have shoulder surgery on Wed. Dec 1. Also he wants to wait til he can get the factory rep to come as he's never used one or prdered one for anyone before - so
    I'll be a bit of a quinea pig - don't mind t all if it works.

    Let me know how your FlexiTouch works if you get yours before I get mine.