First time using a pump

shadylady1

I went back to see my lymphedema PT yesterday and for the first time, she put me on the pump.  It covered my leg, abdomen, trunk and left arm.  After 60 minutes, it did help especially with the swelling and pain I was experiencing in my chest.  I didn't realize that all of this pain appeared to be associated with the lymphedema.  I didn't feel that great yesterday but by the evening, I was feeling much better.  I am having another treatment tomorrow.  She is going to look into getting me a pump for home.  I am hoping that my arm will get back to a more normal size.  The only part I hate about wearing the sleeve and compression bra is in the summer.  I get so hot and it is so uncomfortable and when you add in the hot flashes....  Has anyone figured out a solution for that

Binney4

Shady, just because we've had so many women here whose therapists used a pump instead of doing the necessary hands-on Manual Lymph Drainage, it's important to make sure your understand how your therapist sees this as working with the rest of your LE therapy and self-care.

Two thoughts in particular:

Has she taught you to do self-MLD so you have that skill to use it whether there's a pump around or not?; and

Did she do the basic MLD clearing of your neck, axilla and groin before putting you on the pump?

Too many therapists use a pump to do part of their work for them, but it's not the same as having their skilled hands on your body assessing the state and progress of your LE. A pump can't feel and adjust for areas of hardening, new or stubborn swelling, or any skin changes.

Another abuse we've seen where pumps are concerned is perks for therapists who help sell patients certain brands, so be sure to ask her about other brands as well, and if necessary call some of the other companies and talk to their reps. You can tell fairly easily who's the used-car-salesman type. Pumps are a help for self-care for some people, but they aren't a part of a standard Therapy Intensive.

The National Lymphedema Network's Position Paper on "Treatment" is a good way to know what to expect during LE treatment. It on the right-hand side of this page, near the bottom:
http://www.lymphnet.org

That said, I have a Flexi-touch pump myself, which is helpful to me because of being bilateral and also having a lot of swelling in my back, which can be hard to reach. So I'm not personally opposed to pumps, but just have seen so many abuses with them. They do have a history of creating bands of fibrosis at the axilla (and of pushing fluid from the leg into the abdomen and genitals), so you need to clear all nodes carefully before and after each use, and be watchful and aware when using it.

Geesh! That reads as so cynical! No insults intended, and it's all JMHO!

Be well,
Binney