arm wrapped

Rague said:

I don't know anyone who likes wraps!
I would think that your lymphedemologist noticed some edemda that you hadn't noticed. They are trained. Or it may be just that they want to be sure that there is no edema present when you're measured for your sleeves and gloves.

??
I don't think they would be fitting you for a glove and sleeve if lymphedemia wasn't present. When I went I didn't feel that my arm was swollen but more that it felt thick and stiff. Big surprise when the specialist graded it a Level 2. When she measured it was larger than my other arm. I also have it in my back and chest.

Wrapping is a pain...
I felt like I was carrying around a fire place log! Its good they are treating it. My therapist told me the wrapping is to get the swelling down, and the sleeves and glove are designed to maintain it.

Wolfi said:

What a pain
Molly,

Yes, getting your arm wrapped is a big pain (and takes FOREVER). I was given the sleeves and gloves to wear on both arms during the day but was still having some issues. The PT told me that I would need to start wrapping my arms at night instead of wearing the sleeves during the day to see if things got better. It took my husband over 45 minutes to wrap both of my arms the first time because of all the layers that had to be put on and I also felt like a mummy.

The good thing is that by wrapping your arm things should become better for you. I didn't think my arm was swollen until the PT measured it and compared it to my "good" arm.

Take care.

Ask about a night sleeve
They are a lot bulklier than day garments but not as bad as a wrap. They pull on similar to a day sleeve. Even with using both day sleeves/gloves and night sleeve (the only time I don't have 'something' on is while batheing) there are still problems. My L-guy ordered both my day and night sleeves at the same time so I've had (and used) them both basically the same length of time. Night sleeve came in first; we had to go through different compression levels with the day sleeve and glove so it took longer before found the right compression for me (plus takes a little longer with them as they have to be custom - especially glove, off the shelf will not fit my hand at all).

My night sleeve is a Tribute by www.solarismed.com. You can see what they look like there.

My L-Guy is very emphatic that day garments are not to be worn at night - they work under different principles than night garments and versa/visa.

Tomorrow (if the weather co-operates and it's looking like it might not - snow - as long as I-90 doesn't get closed I'll make it there in my 4X4), I get my MLD so hopefully that will help. Hoping that once it gets the edema put of shoulder, under arm, back, chest moved out then arm will have some where to drain better.

Susan