Better fitting sleeve HURTS

Texas357

I've had LE flare ups twice. The first time it went away on its own after 2 months. This time, after LD Flap surgery, I've had it 7 months without relief. I do not have any trained LE specialists within 50 miles of me -- I've checked all the resources. So I'm on my own.

After doing a lot of reading, I discovered that one of my compression sleeves was the right compression (20-30 HHmg) but too short. It came to just above my elbow. The other sleeve was the right length but 10-20 HHmg. It bunched up all over and/or slid down because it was too loose.

So I just got a new sleeve that's the right length and right compression. I put it on and it immediately started making my arm ache.

Is that normal? I'm hoping to finally see some progress!

My left affected arm is 1/4 inch bigger than my dominant, unaffected right arm.

lago

Texas I highly recommend going to the LE specialist at least once to get a good fitting. It's worth the 50 mile trip. You might not have a good fit.

I 1st got my sleeves/gloves as a preventive to wear during flying. My BS sent me to a place in the hospital. Few months later I ended up with LE. If find out that my sleeves are too short AND my glove fingers are too short too. The glove isn't such a bit deal because my fingers don't swell but the sleeve was. I got them to exchange but I will never go back.They also insisted I get the silicon which irritated me. I don't need the silicon. Silicon is good if you have larger arms to prevent rolling. I have very thin arms even with LE.

An LE PE will take measurements and let you know what you should purchase… you may need something custom. My LE MD says he never orders gloves off the shelf for anyone. They never fit right.

Texas357

Thanks Lago, but I've been that route twice. I got sent to the same LE-certified PE, who took measurements but would not even discuss what I needed in terms of a sleeve. Instead, she had me try on a night sleeve and asked me if it was too loose or too tight. I asked her: I don't know. How tight is it supposed to feel? She didn't answer me.

She talked about self-massage but wouldn't even demonstrate on my arm to show me the right pressure to use.

She was pretty much useless. That was my long drive to a 'specialist'. I won't do it again.

And that's why I'm asking questions, trying to gain knowledge from others who have access to decent advisors.

kira66715

Texas--sometimes you have to get used to compression, but hurting isn't a good thing. Do you have hand protection? Does your hand ever swell? Because you don't want to drive the fluid up there.

Here are some self-care videos that are helpful

http://www.nwlymphedemacenter.org/

It sounds like you don't have a huge volume discrepancy between the two arms. It really stinks that you don't have access to a good LE therapist, because it's so necessary. 

JoAnn Rovig sells a DVD--it's old, but it's about self care of the arm. It's a basic overview, I'd watch her on-line videos first and consider the DVD

http://www.nwlymphedemacenter.org/patient.php

Kira

Texas357

Thanks so much Kira! I really appreciate all the info. Day 2 of the new sleeve: the pain has diminished tremendously. Even better: for the first time in months, the swelling is going down!!! Woo hoo! !!!!

kcshreve

Texas, I'm in Texas, too (N. Dallas).  When I first started wearing a compression sleeve, I was encouraged to wear it only for 2 hours/day for the first couple days, then to increase to 4, then to 6, since our arms are pretty sensitive.  It didn't take too long for me to build up my time with the sleeve on, and it was such a helpful difference.   

Texas357

That's good to know! Today is better than yesterday.