Lymphedema in neck advice

rsp
rsp Member Posts: 103 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

My husband is 5 months post radiation/chemo for SCC on the base of his tongue.  He has developed a "turkey neck" and has been seeing a Lymphedema Therapist.  The therapist is now suggesting he get a Flexi touch pump to control his Lymphedema.  We watched the video of a man putting it on, and it looks CRAZY, but if it works, we will try it.  It consists of a head piece and a vest that is attached to a pump.  Just wondering if anyone used this, and if so, I would appreciate hearing how you liked it. 

I read on here that some people used something that went under your chin and around your head.  This FLexi touch pump is different yeat looks restricting.

We've tried the massaging, tape, and wrapping his neck... 

Appreciate hearing from anyone who used it or even tried it out and did not like it.

Thanks! 

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #2
    edema

    rsp,

    I had edema from rads and went for the massages (which were great).  I learned how to do it myself and I did.  I did have a mask made for the edema, but never liked it and did not use it.  The self-neck massage works fine.  It does get better.

    I use to tell the age of people from their neck, now I need a new method.

    Matt

  • bebo12249
    bebo12249 Member Posts: 181 Member
    #3
    I had lympedema around 3

    I had lympedema around 3 months post rads. My surgeon said it would get better after about 6 months. It did and nevered recurred. 

  • tomb247
    tomb247 Member Posts: 54
    #4
    Lymphedema - Helpful Site

    I am 2 years post rads and from time to time the Lymphedema will flair up. Here is a helpfull video to do at home. It slowly helps decrease swelling and improves Lymph flow:

    https://youtu.be/Q9FP6AHj9Eo

    Hope this helps:)

     

  • Weathering
    Weathering Member Posts: 7
    #5
    I wonder about lymphedema of

    I wonder about lymphedema of the head/neck myself. All of the tutorials seem to be for people who still have lymph nodes in their neck (my 39 left side lymph nodes have been removed from my neck).

    Is a hot/warm compress or wash cloth/heating pad good for lymph fluid movement or would it be bad and cause swelling?

  • rsp
    rsp Member Posts: 103 Member
    #6
    tomb247 said:

    Lymphedema - Helpful Site

    I am 2 years post rads and from time to time the Lymphedema will flair up. Here is a helpfull video to do at home. It slowly helps decrease swelling and improves Lymph flow:

    https://youtu.be/Q9FP6AHj9Eo

    Hope this helps:)

     

    Thank you

    The video link you sent showing massaging techniques was great.  I made my husband watch it, and he has been massaging his neck.

    We are having a demonstration of the Lymphedema pump next week when we go to the Lymphadema therapist.  Here is a link if anyone cares to see it.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqSbzS2Y3BU

     I think the head and neck pump is fairly new.  It sure looks crazy, but if it works, (and if our insurance covers it), my husband said he would give it a try.  There is no need to massage before putting the gear on.  I believe the pump does all of the work.

    I will let you know if my husband ends up getting the pump.

     

  • rsp
    rsp Member Posts: 103 Member
    #7
    heat for Lymphedema

    My husband is seeing a lymphedema therapist and she hasn't mentioned anything about using heat.  I think it is all about moving the fluids to other lymph nodes via massage.

  • tomb247
    tomb247 Member Posts: 54
    #8
    rsp said:

    Thank you

    The video link you sent showing massaging techniques was great.  I made my husband watch it, and he has been massaging his neck.

    We are having a demonstration of the Lymphedema pump next week when we go to the Lymphadema therapist.  Here is a link if anyone cares to see it.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqSbzS2Y3BU

     I think the head and neck pump is fairly new.  It sure looks crazy, but if it works, (and if our insurance covers it), my husband said he would give it a try.  There is no need to massage before putting the gear on.  I believe the pump does all of the work.

    I will let you know if my husband ends up getting the pump.

     

    Massage Video

    Glad it helped. It did help me by moving the fluids down and out. Not quick but it did seems to work. I coorosponded with the woman in the video and she said as long as it is not uncomfortable or does not irritate area, could do it multiple times a day.

    She is the owner and director of 2 clinics in Toronto. 

    Take care and continued healing,

    Tom

     

  • Weathering
    Weathering Member Posts: 7
    #9
    Weathering said:

    I wonder about lymphedema of

    I wonder about lymphedema of the head/neck myself. All of the tutorials seem to be for people who still have lymph nodes in their neck (my 39 left side lymph nodes have been removed from my neck).

    Is a hot/warm compress or wash cloth/heating pad good for lymph fluid movement or would it be bad and cause swelling?

    Update:

    Update:

    This week I bought a 36" mini-trampoline (rebounder) and absolutely love it. I bounce on it for 5 min. each morning (5 days in a row so far) and I can feel the lymph fluid moving (draining from around my left ear and at my collar bone).

    Then whenever I have a chance later in the day I'll bounce on it for a few minutes just because it feels so good (lymphedema swelling going down).

    Bought it on Amazon for $25

    This weekend I went to my daughter's field hockey tournament out of town and I brought the mini-trampoline with me. Bounced on it in the hotel room and kept the lymph down.

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