does anyone know how to get a pump for my lymphedema?

lymphedemammb

I was given a pump many years ago to help with the swelling in my arms but it doesn't seem to provide any relief. It is blue and looks almost like a blood pressure cuff but all the way up my arms-- it was very high in pressure (up to 120 pressure) and I don't like it very much. I am looking for other suggestions if anyone has had success in using other types of pumps on their arms and seen benefits in the swelling going down? . I am located in  Connecticut.

 

thanks

Kicks

I have a FlexiTouch which works great for me.  Use it daily to keep LE under control.  You should talk with your LE Therapist about what might help you and getting insurance to cover it.

With my FlexiTouch, there are 3 garment sections (upper leg/lower abdomin, upper body/chest, arm).  It is programed fot the size of my garment sections and my needs.

120 pressurei - that makes no sense to me!  G-suits (pilot) only run between 6-8 psi. Semi tires run 100 psi.

Talk to your LE,Therapist!

hopepedigo

I have a newer flexitouch system , barely used , its cost me $8000.00 , unfortunately my insurance didn't cover it .It has upper chest , arm, and full lower trunk  attachments , It has different settings for pressure,  different therapy cycles, and programs for exactly what you need , It was a god send for me , but unfortunately I was only able to use it a few times , and now I can't use it because of unfortunate new diagnoses with my health.If anyone is interested in purchasing it you can contact me at hopepedigo@aol.com , I can forward pictures and info needed.I m so bummed I cant use it , It was helping so much with my lymphedema , and very relaxing!!

kareenie

aren't the garments custom fitted? I would think a wrong fit would be worse than nothing.

Kicks

kareenie - no and yes.  They come in several standard sizes, lengths and right or left side.   The right size garments are then in a way customized to the person by the person delivering the unit. There are velcro straps to give a custom/individual fit in vital areas.  Some parts have the velcro straps opened and closed to get them on and off each time used (the lower body and upper leg).  The chest and arm are a lot more complicated to fit properly so much of it is adjusted and left alone unless something indicates and adjustment is needed.   There is an area along the mid line that allows you to open to put on and then close.  The sleeve is velcroed to the chest.  I always my sleeve attached to the chest because there are quite a few velcro spots to use to attach them.  So no they start as 'generic' sizes (S/M/L/etc) and 'generic' lengths for different size and shape people.  Once the person has them, they are adjusted to correctly fit them but the adjustments are not permanent and can be change at any time.  I have Small ones and they could be adjusted for someone else needs a Small but someone who needs a Large could not use them at all - just as I could not use a Large.  Also ones for right side won't work on the left and visa versa.

There is also the fact that with time, the air chambers can have 'blow-outs'  between them so the garment has to be replaced.  I've had 1 'blow-out' in lower body/upper leg, 2 in chest portion and 2 in arm.

hopepedigo

No you fit them to yourself , their are Velcro fittings all over and you tighten and adjust as needed , at least with the flexitouch you do .That way their fitted personally to you and your body shape and as you swell or go down you can adjust accordingly which is nice, so you don't have to buy  different pieces to adjust to the unfortunately many fluctuations of lymphedema.

hopepedigo

sorry kicks didn't see your reply lol

kareenie

ok thanks. Now i understand better. Maybe someday i will look into a pump myself.