Gauntlets vs gloves (Lymphedema garments)

Rague
Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
edited March 2011 in Breast Cancer #1
Which do you use, which do you like better and why?

Since I've gotten good results with my FlexiTouch as my hand gets back to close to 'normal' my gloves are cutting in (causing pain) between the 2 middle fingers - I'm weird and there is webbing there (if that doesn't make sense I'll try to explain better). After looking at the pictures, I'm thinking that a guantlet might be better as it doesn't go between fingers. Talked to my Lymphedemologist (certified) a little while ago. He's a bit unsure about rather or not a guantlet is going to be a better idea as he's concerned that I won't have compression in fingers but then swelling in fingers, while there has been minor, has never been bad.

Anyway I'll see him a week from Monday and it kind of sounds like he's going to order me a gauntlet but also a new glove if they can make it to accomadate my webbing. All my gloves are custom so good chance they might be able to do it. Personally I'm thinking I'll like the gauntlet better but if he wants me to have a glove too then that's fine - it's up to him to order what I get.

So experiences/thoughts please!

Susan

Comments

  • Gabe N Abby Mom
    Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
    #2
    The good news in all of this
    The good news in all of this is that your FlexiTouch is working! Yay you! I don't have any advice, I just liked the excuse do a little jig on your behalf.

    Hugs,

    Linda
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    #3
    Gabe N Abby Mom said:

    The good news in all of this
    The good news in all of this is that your FlexiTouch is working! Yay you! I don't have any advice, I just liked the excuse do a little jig on your behalf.

    Hugs,

    Linda

    Susan--I just have a sleeve and glove
    which I wear when I fly. I'm thinking because of your "webbing" situation, perhaps you should have both. That way, you can try the gauntlet and if it works and is more comfortable, great. If not, you can always go back to the glove.

    BTW--I have the FlexiTouch too. I use it on the bad days--but I honestly don't feel much of a difference. Right now, my swelling is in the breast and trunk (from the armpit to about half way down my rib cage). I have the arm/hand attachment but haven't had to use it. I'm thinking maybe the areas of my problem are harder for the machine to tackle. Thoughts?

    Hugs, Renee
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #4
    missrenee said:

    Susan--I just have a sleeve and glove
    which I wear when I fly. I'm thinking because of your "webbing" situation, perhaps you should have both. That way, you can try the gauntlet and if it works and is more comfortable, great. If not, you can always go back to the glove.

    BTW--I have the FlexiTouch too. I use it on the bad days--but I honestly don't feel much of a difference. Right now, my swelling is in the breast and trunk (from the armpit to about half way down my rib cage). I have the arm/hand attachment but haven't had to use it. I'm thinking maybe the areas of my problem are harder for the machine to tackle. Thoughts?

    Hugs, Renee

    I have 3 'day' gloves and
    I have 3 'day' gloves and sleeves (and 1 night sleeve with over sleeves - reminder to self - take it when I see K. - might need a new one, it's a year old). I am basically never without some garments on. When I talked to him, it seemed like he is going to go with getting me at last one gauntlet but he wants me to have a glove in case I get finger issues, especially if they can make it to compensate (is that the right word) for my webbing.

    I love my FlexiTouch - so far is it perfect NO but doing so much better than before is! I use the 3 part of the garments. All areas are much better than before it - I can actually see veins (I'm old and have big veins) in my hand - I can reach around my wrist with other hand and thumb and finger touch. Is everything perfect - NO - but then compared to before i got it - so much better!

    Susan

    Added - I forgot to say that the swelling under arm/shoulder and back is also better but the swelling across chest isn't.
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #5
    Glove
    Hi Susan, I have used both however I have found that the gauntlet with the fingers (glove type) works best for me. I have nerve damage and swelling in my hand and have found the complete glove offers more support and comfort as well as protection from nicks, scratches and bites all of which are bad for someone with lymphedema. That's my two cents, hope I have helped.

    RE
  • cavediver
    cavediver Member Posts: 607
    #6
    I have both custom gloves
    I have both custom gloves and gauntlets. When I go out to dinner, I usually use the Kinesio Tape on my fingers/hand, then put on a gauntlet. It give me more flexibility and freedom in use of fingers....and works great...keeps swelling down. As you know, I also have a pump and use it at least 2x a day. Ask your guy if he is trained in use of the Kinesio tape for lymphedema. I use it on the arm as well when I have a flairup. I should state, I cannot wear just the gauntlet (w/o tape) because my finger would then swell.
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #7
    cavediver said:

    I have both custom gloves
    I have both custom gloves and gauntlets. When I go out to dinner, I usually use the Kinesio Tape on my fingers/hand, then put on a gauntlet. It give me more flexibility and freedom in use of fingers....and works great...keeps swelling down. As you know, I also have a pump and use it at least 2x a day. Ask your guy if he is trained in use of the Kinesio tape for lymphedema. I use it on the arm as well when I have a flairup. I should state, I cannot wear just the gauntlet (w/o tape) because my finger would then swell.

    WE re so different
    My guy is a certified Lymphedemologist and I do have quite a few Kinesio tapes - from when we were doing wraps. With me - a learning exprience to some degree - he usually deaqls with men with issues as is through VA. I am the second or third woman he's dealt with as a mast. perosn - so some takes a bit to get worked out - but h is fantastic and we are working through 'stuff' - that's why I need info/thoughts/experinces.

    None of my gloves restrict movement enough to worry about when on (I even tat with it on) - only go the the first finger joint. So far finger swelling has not been an issue - minor swelling but definatly not anywhere near hand/arm. Major swelling has only gone to knuckles and had a line of 'demarkation' there.

    I do an hour daily with my FlexiTouch (per my 'Guy ' and the manufacturer) which includes the 3 part of the garments.
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    #8
    Rague said:

    WE re so different
    My guy is a certified Lymphedemologist and I do have quite a few Kinesio tapes - from when we were doing wraps. With me - a learning exprience to some degree - he usually deaqls with men with issues as is through VA. I am the second or third woman he's dealt with as a mast. perosn - so some takes a bit to get worked out - but h is fantastic and we are working through 'stuff' - that's why I need info/thoughts/experinces.

    None of my gloves restrict movement enough to worry about when on (I even tat with it on) - only go the the first finger joint. So far finger swelling has not been an issue - minor swelling but definatly not anywhere near hand/arm. Major swelling has only gone to knuckles and had a line of 'demarkation' there.

    I do an hour daily with my FlexiTouch (per my 'Guy ' and the manufacturer) which includes the 3 part of the garments.

    I find the Kinesio Tape works the best for me
    My therapist had my husband come in and learn to tape my breast, trunk, etc. They took pictures while doing it. I was quite familiar with Kinesio tape--I was an event coordinator for a company teaching Kinesio Taping to therapists and one of my best friends is an OT and Kinesio Tape practitioner.

    Hugs, Renee
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #9
    missrenee said:

    I find the Kinesio Tape works the best for me
    My therapist had my husband come in and learn to tape my breast, trunk, etc. They took pictures while doing it. I was quite familiar with Kinesio tape--I was an event coordinator for a company teaching Kinesio Taping to therapists and one of my best friends is an OT and Kinesio Tape practitioner.

    Hugs, Renee

    My 'Guy' has his Masters as
    My 'Guy' has his Masters as an OT. He got his Lymphedemolgy certification a few years ago. Because of where he is - just usually sees men.
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #10
    Rague said:

    I have 3 'day' gloves and
    I have 3 'day' gloves and sleeves (and 1 night sleeve with over sleeves - reminder to self - take it when I see K. - might need a new one, it's a year old). I am basically never without some garments on. When I talked to him, it seemed like he is going to go with getting me at last one gauntlet but he wants me to have a glove in case I get finger issues, especially if they can make it to compensate (is that the right word) for my webbing.

    I love my FlexiTouch - so far is it perfect NO but doing so much better than before is! I use the 3 part of the garments. All areas are much better than before it - I can actually see veins (I'm old and have big veins) in my hand - I can reach around my wrist with other hand and thumb and finger touch. Is everything perfect - NO - but then compared to before i got it - so much better!

    Susan

    Added - I forgot to say that the swelling under arm/shoulder and back is also better but the swelling across chest isn't.

    gauntlet gives me more flexibility
    I am also in any type of garments all the time, except shower or business lunch or dinner. Have had 6 gauntlets over 2,5 years.
    My situation does not getting better, so I am transferring to glove. My night garment is a one piece sleeve with glove ,Jovipack, about 20 months needs replacement. I have to put bandages over it every night .
  • cavediver
    cavediver Member Posts: 607
    #11
    missrenee said:

    I find the Kinesio Tape works the best for me
    My therapist had my husband come in and learn to tape my breast, trunk, etc. They took pictures while doing it. I was quite familiar with Kinesio tape--I was an event coordinator for a company teaching Kinesio Taping to therapists and one of my best friends is an OT and Kinesio Tape practitioner.

    Hugs, Renee

    Renee, so glad to hear of someone else familiar with Kinesio tape. I think some are mistakenly thinking of it as the low stretch bandages used in wrapping. The Kinesio tape is amazing to me...how it works!!! In the hot weather (like when I am in Mexico)....wow, what a relief to use it instead of the sleeve and glove....great for swimming too. The only thing is....I have a zebra look on my hand from being on the beach/water with it on in the criss/cross :-)
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    #12
    cavediver said:

    Renee, so glad to hear of someone else familiar with Kinesio tape. I think some are mistakenly thinking of it as the low stretch bandages used in wrapping. The Kinesio tape is amazing to me...how it works!!! In the hot weather (like when I am in Mexico)....wow, what a relief to use it instead of the sleeve and glove....great for swimming too. The only thing is....I have a zebra look on my hand from being on the beach/water with it on in the criss/cross :-)

    I know what you mean about the Kinesio Tape
    I really think it's amazing too. The concept of the tape is that it gently lifts the skin off the muscle so that the lymph fluid that is in the space in between can flow easily and does not collect. It's comfortable, flexible and really works. The only trick is to find someone who can tape you--which requires a tiny bit of instruction from a practitioner. Also, one time I removed it a little too agressively and really irritated my skin. I've found that when I need to remove it now--I use a little bit of bio-oil (or you could probably use any type of baby oil). It just comes right off.
  • ShirleyCurls
    ShirleyCurls Member Posts: 51
    #13
    I use a glove because
    my fitter said the gauntlet might cause too much swelling in the fingers. Once I started using my Flexi-Touch, I rarly have to wear the glove. I also have had some itching/blisters with the gloved hand, so altering my dependence on the glove helped that.

    The gauntlet does allow more finger/hand movement. My glove is so tight that I can not use my hand. When I return to my therapist, I'll advocate for a gauntlet.
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #14
    New Flower said:

    gauntlet gives me more flexibility
    I am also in any type of garments all the time, except shower or business lunch or dinner. Have had 6 gauntlets over 2,5 years.
    My situation does not getting better, so I am transferring to glove. My night garment is a one piece sleeve with glove ,Jovipack, about 20 months needs replacement. I have to put bandages over it every night .

    My night sleeve does not
    My night sleeve does not have fingers in it - basically the 'hand' is a gauntlet - it's a bit over a yr old and is a Tribute by Solaris. I have 2 isotoner gloves (1 wrist length, 1 shoulder length) that are made for very mild edema that I used under it til I got my FlexiTouch - haven't since. Also have 2 over-sleeves for it - 1 does about as much as using 2.

    Susan

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