Tight sleeve or allergic reaction?

doxie

I have very mild truncal and upper arm LE, nothing below my elbow. For two weeks now, I've been using a sleeve and under armor men's T during runs, weight lifting, walking and any strenuous chores. It's been working well for me. This weekend I took a three hour kayak trip down a river and wore the sleeve and shirt. I've kayaked this summer w/o much trouble triggering LE, but knew this trip would really stress my arm so wore the sleeve.

One thing happened that made me think my sleeve may be too tight. My elbow pit was red, hot, tender, and slightly swollen later when I took off the sleeve. My hand was also slightly redder than the non BC hand - no swelling though.

Really odd was that the silicon dotted binding on my sleeve left red, hot, tender and slight elevated dots exactly reflecting silicon dots on the sleeve. The dots are still visible over 24 hours later.

Is the sleeve too light? Am I allergic to something in the sleeve? I am allergic to food dyes, chocolate, antibiotics, neulasta, etc. Otherwise the sleeve and shirt performed their job and my arm and trunk are just fine . Any ideas?

Anonymous

doxie it may be that you are allergic to those silicone dots. I have allergies too, and I experienced exactly what you did, but Ive not had it since. OTH it just may be that your sleeve was a little too tight, as it still may be in the "breaking in" period. It's always best to "introduce" ourselves to our new sleeves, slowly increasing the time. Of course that will depend on each of us and is very much an individual experience. It's common to have that red mark to start with in the crease of the elbow as is the case with slightly redder hand. These could be indicative of a bad fit or an off the shelf sleeve, where possibly you need to be fitted. It's a fine line as to when these things need to be taken further. That you were pretty active and your sleeve pretty new, may have been the cause.

I see it's a couple of days since your post. How are those red dots now?

doxie

Musical,

Thanks for your response. I wasn't aware of a break in stage.

The red dots are now less bright, and slowly fading. Elbow pit swelling went down, but it was bruised.

I had a sleeve special ordered, but it was too long. Questioned the fitter when he chose the longer length as I am a petite and have short arms. This one didn't fit because of the arm length and he pulled one off the shelf for me. I was confused because the first one was special ordered, or so I was told. I was not impressed with the fitter's attitude. Seemed to be bored with his job.

I've called and am waiting for his reply about the situation.

Marple

I would guess your sleeve is a poor fit. The silicon dots do leave little red dots on my arm but they go away I'd say after an hour or two. Because yours are evident after such a long period of time I think it's too tight. It sounds to me like the rest of your sleeve is too snug a well since you are experiencing swelling when you take it off.

Anonymous

Well Im really sorry doxie that youre yet another victim of an unacceptable attitude. I too think, your fit is wrong and I would complain about this and see if you can get the sleeve replaced and a proper fitter to get the job done correctly. A bad fit can do more damage than good, and it's a hard enough job for a good fitter with a good attitude, let alone one thats the opposite. Im from NZ and things are waaay different to the US and how these things are dealt with. I think the sooner you can get this resolved the better. Please keep us posted.

doxie

Went kayaking yesterday and my arm is fine afterwards. Last week I went back for a refitting. They said the sleeve was properly fitted, but they ordered the larger size without the silicon dots. Still OTC but no swelling, bruising or any other problem after two good hours of paddling.

I know I still need to track down a place that takes my insurance and will do a better fitting and order a custom sleeve, if I find this new sleeve still doesn't work over time.