compression sleeves - upper arm too big

fac03

I am going to try a different medical supply store, but probably won't be able to do it until Tuesday.

I like to find out whether anyone have similar problem of finding compression sleeves when the lower arm fits but the upper arm does not, do you get a larger size, but without the effect for the lower arm?

Here is why I felt I have to explore myself.

I went to medical supply store suggested by my PT. The sale person told me the fitter won't be available for the next two weeks but she could fit me and here was what happened (file it under I can't make this up :-( )

First, after getting some measurements using a measuring tape, she told me those numbers did not make sense, she used a different tape.

She gave me Juzo size III, but she had difficulty pulling the upper arm on for me. It was so tight that I was screaming (still have to do PT because of the cords in my arm). It did not make sense to me that it was so difficult I asked to see the measurement and the box. I told her that there was max / regular printed on the box and the number showed that I should have max, she initially insisted that the max and regular were the same (aka there was no max), then may be a light bulb came on, she looked for a max and the lower arm fits perfectly, but we still have difficulty with the upper arm, it was tight, but as it was what the measurement showed, I accepted the size.

Then she said the length was too long and found out that she gave me a long instead of regular (initially she measured the length of my arm but told me the measurement was not needed). Finally I got a III regular.

What I left, I learned that it was her first time fitting sleeves.

As I had compression socks for my DVT, I knew the amazon website showed how/where to measure, therefore I checked tonight, and found out that she measured the wrong locations on my arm. I measured again and found out that I should use size V for my upper arm but size III for my lower arm. It means neither III nor V would work for me. Does anyone have similar problem? what did you do?

1redgirl

I wear a sleeve on my right arm every day. I had 12 nodes removed. I had a mastectomy. I had to wear band around my chest for a year because my chest felt like it was filling up. Same with my arm. I did not buy a sleeve as prescribed. I went to our Mayo Clinic store and had them cut a gauze like material that came in different widths. This material is meant for compression. The length can be cut to fit. If width is not perfect, just run a stitch to tighten. Actually my PT person made my first ones and I just duplicated. I have had mine for nearly 2 yrs now, and just recently I can go without chest compression and arm compression if just not doing any hard work. You might find Like I did, that your arm over time just wants a tiny bit of compression. Almost like a security blanket which I know sounds weird. My PT person, herself a breast cancer patient, said I babied my arm. She felt it would adapt to no compression if I would give it a chance. Anyway...

fac03

1redgirl,

thanks. My PT also said if the compression sleeve does not work (I was assuming no effect, rather than not fitting), then we would try something to wrap around my arm. I also babied my arm as my surgeon told me. I have no idea how to wrap something around my arm and as I will be travelling until Tuesday, I am hoping to get something. I am worry to use the sleeve I have is too tight. I found some videos on wrapping the arm, but too nervous to do it myself.