CompreSleeve

Sher

Well I have issues with a daytime glove or glove/sleeve combo going on in another thread and here I am asking about a CompreSleeve!

Does anyone here have one of these?  I've been looking around for an adjustable night sleeve, not super heavy duty and not costing 8 or 900 dollars either and happened across this.  Supposed to be a "95% cotton, 5% lycra blend fabric, providing a soft, slim fit with one-way short stretch that closely resembes bandage wrapping".  Cost $230.  I found a dealer about 4 hours away, but would like to find any information or opinions on this garment before making the trip. 

Suzybelle

Sher, I don't know one thing about the CompreSleeve, but wanted to bump this so that Binney or Kira or some of the other ladies might see this.

Best to you...

Suzanne

kira66715

Sher, Binney has emailed that she's looking into it, she's not familiar with it--there are some newer products out there.

Does your insurance cover night garments? If so, you might consider Solaris or JoviPak.

I have noticed that lymphademaproducts is selling Solaris and JoviPak, off the shelf sizes and supposedly custom, the prices aren't totally crazy for them.

You should pm Binney and ask if she figured anything out about the product--she's tried a lot of them, and Jane has been exposed to a lot of products through her work at NYU.

Kira

I did send them an email--it one of the line of BiaCare products--and LindaLou uses their glove for external compression--they had no dealers in the entire state of Massachusetts, but must sell direct.

The CompreSleeve was introduced in early 2007 as a night-time compression sleeve for patients needing mild to moderate compression (20-30 mmHg gradient compression). It is made with cotton/lycra fabric that has a short, one-way stretch which mimics the effects of bandage wrapping. The velro tabs along the seam allow for the patient to "customize" their sleeve for a perfect fit every time. A donning loop is included for simple donning/doffing. The CompreSleeve can be machine washed and dried. 

BiaCare Corporation  140 W. Washington, Suite 100, Zeeland, MI 49464  •  p: 616.931.0876  •  f: 616.931.0052  • toll free: 866.931.0876  •  email: sales@biacare.com 

OneBadBoob

Hi Sher--

While I have never seen this sleeve, I am definitely thinking of ordering one to replace wrapping--it is inexpensive, compared to most night garments, and is only for mild to moderate LE.

I will let you know when it arrives and what I think of it.

LindaLou53

Hi Sher,

I had not heard of the CompreSleeve but it is indeed a Biacare product as Kira said.  I just checked out the website and looked at their product catalog.  The CompreSleeve looks very interesting.  It may not be adequate for anyone with specific hand LE since it does not have fingers but I suppose fingers could be wrapped prior to donning the garment.  It looks like it provides the ability to adjust the fit with velcro type tabs and it does offer additional hand compression with a neoprene hand strap that appies over top of the garment.

I do own the BiaCare MedaHand that I wear over top my old daytime glove for additional hand compression.  The construction quality seems good and it is very comfortable.  I suspect the CompreSleeve might be a good low cost alternative to the more expensive nighttime garments.  I will be interested to hear Jane's review of the sleeve after she uses it!

Sher

I'd love to hear Jane's review also.  Everything I've purchased has been completely out of pocket, so the price of the CompreSleeve is really interesting to me.  My insurance covers DME and Prosthetics at 100%, Orthotics at 50%, but whenever I call them, I'm given different information about how exactly the garments are to be billed.  Currently they are checking contracted distributors for me since I have found no one who will order LE garments and bill my Insurance.  Probably the reimbursement rate in the issue, so even the places that regularly fit and sell LE garments just tell me that my insurance doesn't pay anything.  Kind of the brick wall syndrome!

OneBadBoob

My insurance only covers custom made, and at 50%, to as long as off-the-shelf fits,  am better off with that.

I ordered the CompreSleeve for my left arm today.  I will let you know when it arrives and what I think of it.  My hopes (crossing all paws here) are that it will replace wrapping my arm at night.  I am fortunate in that my hand (knock on wood) on either side is not at all involved with my LE.

Interesting video on donning it!  Looks easier than some other of the night sleeves I have seen.

KS1

Went to the website-- the CompreSleeve does look very interesting.  It's much less bulky than a solaris and it has GOT to be cooler!  The picture on the home page has the model wearing something black on her hand.  Does anyone recognize it?  KS1 

kira66715

Jane, I watched the video, I'd recommend a finger wrap or a very light compression glove under it, because it really doesn't extend beyond the knuckles.

Wonder what's IN it?

Kira

Binney4

How about an isotoner therapeutic glove with it?

KS, I think the hand cover in the picture is just the end of the CompreSleeve that cover part of the hand. Sure is a cute model -- really looks great on her.

I'm wondering about content too, Kira. And how flexible it is, and if it would bend enough to go into the refrigerator during the day. Anxious for your report, Jane!

Thanks,
Binney

KS1

 I am so hot in my solaris tribute that I am sleeping poorly despite having  the A/C cranked up high, wearing near nothing (except the michelin man tribute sleeve), and sleeping under a thin sheet.  I've read about putting their nighttime garments in the frig.  I asked the person who fitted my solaris tribute  if doing so affected the longevity or effectiveness of the garment.  She said she didn't know.   What's the bboard consensus? -KS1

Binney4

KS, Kathy Weatherly, the head honcho at Solaris, is the one who told me to refrigerate it. I do it all the time. It not only feels wonderful when you put it on, but the foam holds the cool for a surprisingly long time. She told me to put in into a plastic bag, but unfortunately she neglected to tell me not to store it near the onions. I imagine she expected I would be bright enough to figure that out on my own, but what does she know about chemo brain? So from my vast experience with these things, I can tell you for sure not to store it near anything you'd rather not smell all night.

Enjoy!
Binney

KS1

Move over cherries, you're going to have to share that shelf!  Karin

Marple

I would SO love if this sleeve works.  I'm really getting frazzled by 'routine' wrapping.  (Nothing routine about it )  Of course being in Canada, I wonder when it will be available here.  I can't wait to hear back from someone actually using it. 

Gentle hugs.

Binney4

Good morning, Sharon,

This from Bob Austin at BiaCare (CompreSleeve):
"Canadian patients can order directly from us either by phone or by using www.bandagesupply.com . All our products may be seen on-line and measurement sheets downloaded at www.biacare.com.  Please let us know if you have further questions.  Happy to help!"

So, just waiting for information from someone who's tried it!
Binney

Marple

Thank you Binney.  I too am waiting to get a report back from someone whose tried it.

kane744

Well, I have a flare.  Not from vacation, mind you.  Tell me it's not from vacation!  I think I was scrubbing my sink with too much gusto yesterday and I did just a tiny bit of pruning in the heat.  Yes, I was properly attired.  I knew I should have wrapped last night but was too lazy.  At any rate, I am thinking of a night sleeve but in looking at them all, they seem mighty complicated and certainly cumbersome.  I looked at the video for this one and I think I could do it.  But my daytime sleeve and gauntlet are 30/40 even though I'm classified as moderate.   As soon as I got home from PT (therapist noticed I was a bit ballooned and went easy on me), I went straight upstairs  to give myself a longer than usual massage and wrapped up.  Sigh.  Moan.  Groan.  Yes, gals, I'm back.  But what I want to know is, do those of you who have night sleeves invest in them mainly because wrapping is so tedious?  My dh thinks wrapping is more cost effective and I should stick with that.  What say you? 

Marple

I wrap and do not have a night sleeve.  My therapist says wrapping (done properly) is best.  I'm so afraid to order any kind of night sleeve as just getting properly fitted compression (daytime) sleeves has been a real pain.  I think this last one took 4 tries.  Could have been 5, I lost track.  I would dearly love to be able to use something at night that is easy to get in to and effective.

Kane, sorry about the flare.  This darned heat doesn't help.  I found my arm so uncomfortable today I had to take off my sleeve late this afternoon.  Tomorrow is a wrap day.  Blech!!!  (I can't seem to face wrapping in the evening so I wrap every third day, sleeve the other two days and wear nothing at night.)  

Now that it's summer and the weather is HOT I still have yet to see anyone else with a compression sleeve on.  Even when I go to the hospital........I've seen NONE.  

I need to marry my therapist. 

OneBadBoob

Well, the sleeve came and it does not fit!  My fault--I was on the tail end of a small, and the beginning of a medium, so I thought I would go with the medium (wrong!) and I don't have enough velcro to really tighten it properly.

Also, when measuring arm length, I measured to my knuckles instead of my wrist and ordered a long, which is too long.

So, I sent them an e-mail to see if I can change it to a small regular.

I do like it--but as someone said, it does not do much at all for your hand--wrapping or another type of garments would have to be used for your hand if you need compression there.

Stay tuned for updated!

kcshreve

Thanks for the review, Jane!!  I'm very interested in this, and I appreciate your detailed reporting!

Marple

Me too!

Sher

Wow, that was quick!  Where did you order it from?

KayNYC

I went to my first session with PT today and she recommended I use the sleeve for daytime use. I have mild LE in my upper left arm, breast and axilla. She suggested I use one particular fitter who seems not to be the office on many days of the week. She cautioned me not to just "get one off the shelf" and stressed the importance of proper fit.The PT taught me how to do the self massage and suggested I do exercises with the sleeve on however it will be days before I can see the fitter and I am feeling a bit frustrated. I am scheduled to fly to Florida in two weeks and time is limited in terms of taking off from work and trying out "fitters". Anyone know a good fitter in NYC, on the upper west side? Any suggestions regarding the most comfortable sleeves and glove? They look so cumbersome. Will I be able to type? Typing reports and evaluations is part of my job. Boy does it stink to have LE.

Nordy

Hmmm, yes proper fit is important, but I have to be honest - the "off the shelf" sleeves actually work better for me than the custom ones... although I think I am going to try the ones that Binney uses the next time I have to be fitted. Okay, other than that KayNYC, I am really not much help! Sorry!!! And Yes, it really does stink to have LE...

And I too am interested in the compresleeve - please keep us updated!

OneBadBoob

I too fit into and prefer off the shelf daytime sleeves rather than the custom--my arms do not like the seams on the custom!  I do well off the shelf with daytime sleeves.

The compresleeve is extremely adjustable, which is why if you  measure properly, you can have a night sleeve that fits well without being custome made.  I did not measure properly.  Unfortunately, sometimes I am one of those "If all else fails, read the directions!" people.

They are sending another sleeve, small, regular length, and gave me a RMA number and I have sent back the too large sleeve.

I will let you know when the small, regular comes, and how it fits.

I ordered from http://www.lymphedemaproducts.com/products/compresleeve-arm.html and they have been wonderful about returning it.  They said it might take a few weeks for my credit card to get the refund, but it would be there.

I paid extra for next day delivery of the new sleeve (since I am travelling this week) so I should have the appropriate fitting sleeve tomorrow afternoon.

I will keep you all posted.

KayNYC, indeed one should never order an off the shelf sleeve from the internet unless and until you have been measured by a qualified fitter, who will order the first sleeve/glove/gauntlet for you, try it on with them, don it, doff it, and if it is ready made, off the shelf, and a good fit, future sleevess/gloves/gauntlets can be ordered by you via the internet.

Indeed, first time the fit should be checked by your fitter!

Depending on the ratio of the measurements between and among your wrist, mid-forearm, elbow, upper arm and axila is usually a factor in whether you can be properly fit in an off the shelf garments or need a custom made.

sisterinspirit

Jane,

I'll be interested to hear how you make out with the CompreSleeve.  Hopefully the new size will be just right for you.  Do you know if you can use a swell spot or chocolate bar with it?

kriserts

KayNYC, I live in NYC too. The first therapist I saw ordered me a custom sleeve. It was heavy and stiff and I hated it and only wore it when I flew. I think he was way too cautious because I didn't really have lymphedema at the time--I'd just gone for a consult about what I should watch out for, as recommended by my surgeon. I regret not knowing about the lighter off-the-shelf sleeves, because I think I would have been more amenable to wearing one when my arm started swelling (it's my upper arm, and sort of snuck up on me). AND I learned there are different compressions, and I really don't think I needed that heavy of compression. My current PE sent me to Faulk's (or Falk's) Surgical on the UES where Maria measured me and fit me for a non-custom sleeve. It's much easier to bear. You should try them out. Be warned that the customer service is pretty poor at Falk's--I like Maria but everyone there is loud and rude and won't really acknowledge you until it's your turn ... just be warned. : )

kcshreve

Newest update on the sleeve?  Awaiting news.

kira66715

KayNY,

  Your therapist can provide you with measurements, and if time if of the essence, and t's not a difficult fit issue--or a glove issue--why don't you try out the other fitters and get a sense of them?

I also use an off the shelf sleeve--like either the Juzo long or the Medi 95 sleeve.

Gloves are another issue all together--they're very tough to fit correctly and require an experienced fitter.

Good luck.

(Jobst comes in just three sizes for sleeves: small, medium and large. The new Jobst has wool in it, and my fitter thinks they come short, but for ease of ordering, they're simple. The best bet would be to be able to try on sleeves for fit.)

Kira

o2bhealthy

I have the CompreSleeve and I wear it at night when I have flare ups...thankfully not very often!  One thing I have noticed is that I do need to use cotton or gauze under the sleeve where the thumb hole is for comfort.  I have never wrapped or tried anything else and so I am probably not the best person to give a review however, I have gotten relief wearing the CompreSleeve and it is not too hot or uncomfortable.   I do not have any LE in my hands but I can definitely see where additional wrapping would be needed in the hand for those with LE of the hand/fingers.  

Elliemae32

I agree with Healthy, I have a CompreSleeve and I had to but a pack of cotton gloves to wear with it to protect my thumb area.  I cut the fingers off so it will be cooler.  Other than having to wear the gloves, the sleeve is great.  It is even washable!