Lymphadema

terryscarlett
terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Where can I buy a compression garment for under the chin and neck? David started therapy and they are recommending a garment to sleep in. Wanting to check around for different prices as insurance doesn't cover it. Any suggestions or sites to check out? Thanks in advance for your time and trouble. Love to all and have a wonderful day...

Comments

  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #2
    start here
    Solaris
  • terryscarlett
    terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
    #3
    ratface said:

    start here
    Solaris

    thank
    you ratface, I will check it out.
  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,034 Member
    #4
    Massage Therapy
    Terry,

    I can only speak for myself on this. Several months after my surgery and treatments, I started to swell up in my face and neck area. I mentioned it to my Radiation Oncologist and he sent me to a Cancer Physical Therapist that not only instructed me on the stretching exercises, but also taught me the gentle massage that I could do anywhere. It took roughly 3-4 weeks of visits twice a week to learn the proper method on how to give myself the gentle massage around my face, neck and shoulder.

    I mention this because it was also suggested to me by the Therapist to purchase a garment to wear at night that looked something like a Ski Mask. I went ahead and had it ordered. It was around $100. A bit pricey I thought and luckily, I was told that I could return it, which I did. I put it on and it was like putting on a smaller Ski Mask then I really would wear. Of couse this would keep fluids out of my face and neck area, but how am I suppose to get any sleep and then go to work?

    After learning the massage, the lymphnode system started to react to the massage therapy and I am able to drain the fluids daily. We are fortunate to have gravity on our side as we walk around, the lymphnode system does some draining on it's own from the face and neck.

    My question to you is. Does David sleep flat in bed or does he raise himself up from the waist on up to his shoulders? If he were to sleep in an inclined position during the night or any time he might take a nap, less fluid will be in the troublesome areas. My wife purchased a foam wedge that I used for some time and I slept with a pillow on the wedge as well. It cut down on the Lemphedema and together with the massage therapy, everything returned to a more normal daily routine.

    I still do the massage whenever I do any type of activity as the lymphnode system works along with our blood system. Whenever we work or play, the blood and lymphnode systems flow to the area doing the work. So, a simple task like racking the leafs in the yard can cause tightness in the neck and shoulders. The gentle massage will help and in a few hours, things move away.

    I apologize for such a long post, but wanted to explain the best that I could and hopefully will benefit others as well.

    My Best to Both of You and Everyone Here
  • wifeforlife
    wifeforlife Member Posts: 189
    #5
    MarineE5 said:

    Massage Therapy
    Terry,

    I can only speak for myself on this. Several months after my surgery and treatments, I started to swell up in my face and neck area. I mentioned it to my Radiation Oncologist and he sent me to a Cancer Physical Therapist that not only instructed me on the stretching exercises, but also taught me the gentle massage that I could do anywhere. It took roughly 3-4 weeks of visits twice a week to learn the proper method on how to give myself the gentle massage around my face, neck and shoulder.

    I mention this because it was also suggested to me by the Therapist to purchase a garment to wear at night that looked something like a Ski Mask. I went ahead and had it ordered. It was around $100. A bit pricey I thought and luckily, I was told that I could return it, which I did. I put it on and it was like putting on a smaller Ski Mask then I really would wear. Of couse this would keep fluids out of my face and neck area, but how am I suppose to get any sleep and then go to work?

    After learning the massage, the lymphnode system started to react to the massage therapy and I am able to drain the fluids daily. We are fortunate to have gravity on our side as we walk around, the lymphnode system does some draining on it's own from the face and neck.

    My question to you is. Does David sleep flat in bed or does he raise himself up from the waist on up to his shoulders? If he were to sleep in an inclined position during the night or any time he might take a nap, less fluid will be in the troublesome areas. My wife purchased a foam wedge that I used for some time and I slept with a pillow on the wedge as well. It cut down on the Lemphedema and together with the massage therapy, everything returned to a more normal daily routine.

    I still do the massage whenever I do any type of activity as the lymphnode system works along with our blood system. Whenever we work or play, the blood and lymphnode systems flow to the area doing the work. So, a simple task like racking the leafs in the yard can cause tightness in the neck and shoulders. The gentle massage will help and in a few hours, things move away.

    I apologize for such a long post, but wanted to explain the best that I could and hopefully will benefit others as well.

    My Best to Both of You and Everyone Here

    massage
    My husband also had the massage therapy...which helped alot~ I went and learned how to do it at home (insurande paid for a few weeks of this treatment)... it is simple and releaving.. when he has teeth issues he still struggles with this. We bought the garmet for his head.. "terrible" he couldn't wear it. We use a wonderful tape!!! that he can wear all day it is different than any tape you can by at the store it is Kinesiology tape we buy it online.. it is very elastic like and he can wear it through showers and such.. it drains the fluid from his neck and spreads it out through out his chest. It has really worked for us! hope this helps some!
    Wife

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