What is a wrapping alternative?

melmcbee

Im so excited that I finally found a therapist that is certified for lymphedema treatment. I really like her. Of course my hnd was almost normal size when I finally got to see her for the first time. LOL. I explained that I learned MLD from youtube videos that you wonderful ladies provided links for. I also explained that I would be going back to work in a little over a month and I wanted to learn how to wrap my arm at night and get fitted for a better sleeve and glove as the ones I have cause more swelling. She showed me a wrapping alternative that is like a foam brace type thing that attaches by velcro. My question is does anyone use this instead of wrapping? Do you like it? Also, is there any other questions I should be asking her? Thanks for everything.

Binney4

Mel, what good news! Our relationship with our therapist is a long-term one, so finding someone you like and are comfortable with is great!

There are LOTS of wrapping alternative for nighttime. The one you describe sounds like a ReidSleeve Classic. Many therapists consider that the gold standard of all night garments, but in my experience here I'd say there are a whole lot of them in the backs of people's closets. Softer alternatives that are filled with foam chips and stitched in channels to help direct fluid are generally easier to wear and more comfortable. On the page below, check out Solaris-Tribute and JoviPak, for instance:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Lymphedema_garments.htm

I'm sure others will be along with their experiences. Keep us posted!

Gentle hugs,
Binney

kira66715

Mel, these "wrapping alternatives" are quite expensive. Does she intend to order one for you? The good thing about knowing how to wrap is that you can do it when you need to.

If you swell at night and would prefer a night garment, and it works for you--and I personally find none work great for my hand--they're an expensive alternative to wrapping. I have 2 Tributes and a jovipak and I use the Tribute on occasion. And for flying. Predominantly I wrap at night. It is specific for my hand, and does a better job. It's just a bit of a pain.

So she showed it to you, but is she suggesting you get one? And will she teach you wrapping?

melmcbee

Hi Kira. I met with the therapist today and she worked on LMD and she also wrapped my arm. She went slow and explained it all to me but she also said she was going to put the directions down on paper for me. It was a lot to take in so I am glad she will also give me written instructions. I was extremely uncomfortable with the wrapping but I know that it takes time to get accustomed to it. She is checking on the prices of the alternative wrapping for me and going to check on what my insurance will cover.  Thanks for all of your help. Hugs,

kira66715

Wrapping is hard to learn, but such an important tool to have in your tool box. 

Here is a video from JoAnn Rovig ( maker of Jovipak) showing how to bandage, 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWq1kP4fvtY

Here's another one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSBwkGWUcHA

And everyone does it a bit differently--like JoAnn Rovig padded the wrist while the second therapist anchored the guaze wrap at the knuckles.

I personally don't start the 10 cm at the forearm, but at the wrist and I never go back down.

On the SUSO site, I put a link to a handout that showed one therapist's take on how to wrap--it's in the first paragraph:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/treatments_for_lymphedema.htm

At first, it took me a long time and a lot of re-doing. Now I can wrap in 10 minutes. A skill I never wanted to know, but one that allows me to keep things under control.

Hang in there.

kira66715

Here's a handout I got on the hand wrap--my therapist starts above the wrist--she actually gave me illustrations of the entire process, and I can post them after I scan them.

glennie19

BUMPING! See hand wrap pic above.

carol57

Glennie, thanks for finding this. I didn't realize you had done so before I found it in another thread and bumped that one.

Katiejane

Just my 2 cents here. I have used the Jovi Pac night sleeve for atleast 5 years. It does work well but I am trying something new recommended by my surgeon-called Circaide. Will let you know! Katiejane

tessu

Katiejane: Do use use short-stretch bandages over your JoviPac nightsleeve, or that company's outer cover

Katiejane

tessu, I use both! I first wrap and then place the outer cover over top to make sure it all stays in place! And the cover does add a touch more compression. How about you?

tessu

Katiejane: I don't have any night garment yet. I am a newbie to LE, only halfway through chemo, and am being told "nothing can really be done until chemo is over (mid-January). I am just learning to wrap and afraid to sleep wrapped after some scary wake-up-in-pain tries, and since the gloves from the hospital PT don't fit right and break down my skin, and I can't use the sleeve alone (although that's how they started me, and I think that's part of why I then got hand LE), the only thing I can use days is wrapping. I asked about your Jovipac because I am considering purchasing some kind of night garment to replace the rolls of foam that are difficult for me to wrap with my very-non-dominant hand which has nerve damage.

kareenie

Bump for mariebernice

Kicks

tessu - sorry I missed this thread back in Nov.

What do you mean by was told "nothing can really be done until chemo is over"? My LE started 9 weeks post UMX and 6 weeks into 12 weeks of weekly Taxol. I was gotten in immediately to see my LET as the sooner appropriate TX is started - the better. He is not a PT but an OT who is also a LET.

Fit AND compression level of day garments is critical. We are each unique - not all of us 'fit' into OTS (Off The Shelf) garments. Also some of us need different levels of compression. All of my day garments HAVE to be 'custom' (as in made to my measurements). My hand is very pressure sensitive and has to have low level compression or it puffs up majorly rapidly. My hands are also somewhat 'webbed' (Syndactyly) so any OTS glove literally cuts into skin between fingers (read make open sores that HURT).

My night garment is a Solaris Tribute. With it, I use a medical 'opera length' Isotoner glove under it per my LET guy's recommendations. I also have 2 Solaris 'over sleeves' that I can use over it if needed.

I do not wrap (though I could if needed) or do MLD myself. What works best for me is wearing my day garments, my night garment and using my FlexiTouch daily. We are not ACH unique and what is best for one is not the same for all.