Sleeve for Flying

ReadingMama

I'm confused and hope you all can help.  My fingers started swelling overnight, but go down during the day.  I am flying in July, about 3-4 hr flight.  I decided to see a LE therepist and get a sleeve/glove for the flight to be on the safe side.

Saw LE, she says I do not have LE, but agreed wearing sleeve for flight might be good idea and maybe getting a sleeping glove (she recommended KT medical?).

But I feel like she was not that great, I was the one saying shouldn't I get a lower compression garment and shouldn't I also wear a glove if I'm wearing the sleeve, etc. 

She said I should get 15-20mm pressure, does that sound right?  She was also very vague on the size, although the medical supply company I just called said they would measure me. 

Can I wear a sleeping glove with the sleeve on the flight or do I need to buy a gauntlet?  And she didn't mention anything about doing excercises before I put the sleeve on, do I have to do that?  Or no since I don't have LE? 

out03doors

 I'd go to someone else including your oncologist. because you want a "diagnosis" and explanation for your swelling fingers. There is info online as well.

I agree with your assessment that she may  not be that well trained.

kira66715

Meegan, unfortunately, many LE therapists just don't get it--if your arm measurements are equal, they blow you off.

I met a woman from the UK today at my LE therapists: she told me her upper arm was swollen and it took a year to get a diagnosis, and first they sent her to a psychiatrist!

I have hand/finger swelling. My arms measure equal. I have LE.

With finger swelling, it's important to wear a glove, not a gauntlet. Not a bad idea to get a lower pressure arm sleeve, so as not to push the fluid into your fingers, but you should get a prescription and get fitted for a glove (they run over $100, even on-line.) 

The KT gloves are okay, but I don't know how much compression they give

Here's from KT

http://www.ktmedical.com/products_compression_g.htm

And from bandagesplus

http://www.bandagesplus.com/prd/33/985/KT-Darted-Glove-Regular-Length.html

Not sure why this woman thinks they're a night glove--usually compression gloves shouldn't be worn during sleep, but maybe because they're mild compression.

I wear medi=95 gloves, because they compress the fingers well for me:

http://www.nulifemedical.com/store/pc/Medi-95-Glove-20-30mmHg-527p1700.htm

But, this is not a do it yourself project--guidance from a good professional is needed. IMO, if your fingers swell, it's probably LE, but likely very localized. 

Just based on your medical history, you deserve a sleeve and glove for flying--get a script from your MD so insurance covers it--and consider trying the KT glove (you can call BandagesPlus, they're all LE therapists and ask about the product.)

It shouldn't be this hard.

Kira

ReadingMama

Hi Kira, thanks for the info and the links.  Yes, she did measure my arm and then said I didn't have LE.  She also did give me some excercises to do, but its been two weeks and I haven't had a chance to look at them yet.

ReadingMama

What is the difference between a glove and a guantlet?  I bought my sleeve yesterday at the cancer center, but she only had guanlets, not gloves, so I didn't buy that.  It seemed the guantlet did not have individual fingers, i.e. it was more like a mitten.  Also it didn't seem to go as high onto the fingers as I seem to remember the glove going.

kira66715

Meggan, exactly--a gauntlet covers the hand and the thumb and goes to the knuckles, and is relatively inexpensive--around $20 or so, while a glove includes the fingers, is harder to fit correctly and are more expensive (although Juzo has an inexpensive version they just put out, and the medi 95 is around 119$ on line)--most insurance will cover at least 80% of the cost as durable medical equipment--with a prescription.

Was the sleeve covered?

You'll usually have to see a fitter to get measured for a glove, and there are "off the shelf" gloves and custom gloves. Hopefully, and off the shelf will fit you well.

Did you get the KT glove? 

Kira 

ReadingMama

Thanks Kira.  I got a script for the sleeve, but don't know if my insurance will cover it yet or not.  I bought it already at the cancer center and am not sure if they are "in-network".  I did not order the glove yet, will probably do that this weekend.  due to timing, I will also probably have to order it and then try insurance afterwards.