Flexitouch system?

Great response! I don't have much to add except that I have been using my flexitouch since July and I love it. It is such a relaxing hour and really helps with the lymphedema, especially in my hand which is my problem area. My insurance paid the full amount since I had already met my total deductible because of a couple of hospital visits. They are a very easy company to work with and were very helpful. When I received my unit someone came to my home to teach me the proper way to use the machine and fitted it for me. Hopefully this helps you. Joy

Cathy I would ask your new therapist if she is familiar with the Flexitouch or not. She can always contact Tactile Systems and request they setup a date at her clinic where the local Flexitouch Rep can do demo massage sessions with any of her Lymphedema patients who would like to try it out. That is what my therapist did and the Rep just spent the day at the clinic showing interested patients how it all works and letting them get the hour long massage to see how they liked it. The Rep can also drop off folders with info on the clinical studies using Flexitouch and other general information about the system. There are at least 2 or 3 other patients at my therapists clinic who are considering getting one now.

Binney you make valid points. I have not had any experience with other compression pump systems but the Flexitouch. I have been told that other systems do not address the chest or truncal areas but basically "dump" the lymph flow at either the top of the shoulder or at the groin for leg LE patients. I know there have been cases of genital LE and Chest LE developing after use of these types of pump systems and especially ones in which the degree of pressure applied can be altered/increased by the uninformed patient who thinks "if a little is good, alot must be better".

When I referenced my problem with excess fluid at the shoulder area, that actually was a long standing problem prior to me ever getting the Flexitouch. I have only had the Flexi now for 2 weeks. I will be the first to agree that the pathway of alternating air chambers which create the massage action on the Flexi do not follow perfectly the recommended MLD pathways to complete accuracy. However they do a pretty good job of proper MLD process compared to any other systems I'm aware of. I know that the Flexi is addressing my shoulder, underarm area, scapula, down my side and chest area massaging very similarly to standard MLD.

One of the debates I hear about how MLD works is whether it is a massage that actually forcefully moves the lymph fluid or if it is more a stimulation technique that encourages normal contractile activity of the existing lymphatic structures. MLD is taught to be a very light, feathery stroke as opposed to a deep tissue massage in order to stimulate lymphatic activity. I do believe, however, from my personal experience receiving professional MLD from my therapist that at times she is actually able to "move" the lymph fluid with very rhythmic and sometimes slightly more pressure at the troublesome fibrotic areas.

For this reason I believe the Flexitouch will never be a substitute for professional MLD. I do believe it will do a better job for those of us trying to do self MLD at home though for several reasons. Binney already mentioned persons who have an inability to do adequate self MLD due to other physical problems or to those for whom daily self MLD is just more than they can fit into their lifestyle. I was religiously compliant with my self MLD and daily/nightly wrapping from the onset of my LE and as a result have developed trigger finger, carpal tunnel and early LE symptoms now in my "unaffected" hand from sheer overuse. I also know that try as I might there was no way I could adequately treat my shoulder blade and back area doing self MLD. I just cannot physically reach some of the areas that the Flexitouch can. While the Flexitouch may not be "moving" the fluid as well as MLD might, it definitely is providing a thorough light MLD type massage in a fairly accurate pathway that will stimulate the lymphatics producing better contractility and natural movement of the lymph fluid as a result.

I have been in touch with Tactile Systems already making some suggestions about their garment styles because I do believe there can be better coverage of the shoulder, chest and truncal areas. I happen to be 6 ft tall and while they do offer long length arm and leg garments they do not take into account the different lengths in torsos and abd/pelvic areas based on a person’s height. I find that my chest garment still leaves a 2-3 inch area below my ribcage and above the truncal garment that is not covered by garment. Their medical consultant, an RN, told me that because they were in fact “stimulating” lymph flow using the same theory of light rhythmic massage as MLD that it was not necessary for the garments to be totally contiguous with the anatomy and no physical breaks in garment coverage to still have adequate lymph stimulation. That may well be a true statement but I still feel they could do more customization of the chest and truncal garments to take into consideration height differences. They do a good job of accommodating for weight or circumference differences by adding garment extensions to adequately cover a larger body size.

I agree that any pump system should be used under the guidance and monitoring of a professional therapist who can reinforce proper technique and check the patients LE status to be sure negative effects are not occurring. No one should just go out and purchase a pump system without professional input. I do believe though that the Flexitouch is extremely user friendly and safe to use. There is no way a person can change the pressure settings to an unsafe level on this system. It comes with a default setting which is already programmed for the patients type of LE ( ie Upper Extremity vs Lower Extremity). It has only one other pressure setting called “intense” which is to be used based on therapist recommendation for patients with particularly resistant, fibrotic or difficult LE. I have used this setting myself and the difference in pressure is only slightly more noticeable. Certainly not a situation where there is a pressure dial that can be cranked up to any setting desired.

Also the criteria that would prevent a person from using any type of pump system holds true for the Flexitouch also. Contraindications are pulmonary edema, thrombophlebitis, congestive heart failure, deep vein thrombosis, episodes of pulmonary embolism, infections and inflammation, acute cancer, and where increased lymphatic return is undesirable.

Bottom line is while the Flexitouch is not perfect I believe that it is unique in its function and is able to provide a consistent and thorough MLD that most patients are unlikely to duplicate on their own at home. I would still like to see Tactile Systems improve upon their design and continue to work on some areas of weakness. For me though it is saving more wear and tear on my good hand, has helped already in reducing volume and softening fibrosis, plus I get a great relaxing hour massage to boot!

This is the system I was trying to remember. I tried to get this system two years ago, had Personal Choice, and they would not pay for it. I am considering trying again, but now I have a Keystone HMO and I doubt they'll pay for it either. I appealed and was turned down again. Has anyone fought the ins. co. until they approved this for them?

Bumping again for Amy

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Hope everybody's having a swell-free day! 

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Binney 

I've been using the Flexitouch for one week now and realized tonight that my legs are tryingn to cramp while I'm using it.  I have three pieces (leg/torso, chest & arm).  Has anyone else experienced this? 

I used the pump for the first time today.  My resistant area is in my forearm.  Wow!  In just 30 minutes, it looked and felt much better.  The LE therapist will compare it with massage to see which is more effective.  It appears that Medicare will cover it so I'd love to have it at home.

Wow, Debbie! I'm delighted for you! Let us know how you like it. Do you have someone who can be there with you when it's delivered, so they can help take notes on how to use it? Lots to learn, and it's always a help to have another pair of eyes and ears to help remember everything. I hope you'll find it relaxing and very helpful with the swelling. Do keep us posted!

(((((Hugs!!!)))))
Binney

Hi, Katiejane!

There is some controversy, but it's generally over the use of the older style pumps that "wring" the fluid out of the arm without actually putting it back into circulation. So when the pumping stops, the protein-rich arm tissue is especially "thirsty" and sucks the fluid back with a vengeance. Also, the constant wringing and re-filling causes accelerated tissue damage and fibrosis. So, no good at all, but generally covered easily by insurance. Go figure!

Many LE therapists and other experts in the LE field don't consider the Flexitouch a pump at all, bectause it's action is very different. It's a machine that mimics a good massage in that it helps to prepare the nodes to accept the fluid that's removed from the arm, allowing it to re-enter the circulatory system. Many of the gals here have used a Flexitouch with good success. The company is very good about helping you learn to use it well, there are a lot of safety features (like not being able to increase the pressure, which is set to very gentle compression, like a good LE massage), and they'll handle dealing with your insurance as well. They were set up to demonstrate the Flexitouch on therapists attending the recent National Lymphedema Network conference, and some of them fell asleep in short order! They were pretty much sold on it!

The few women I know who have not used it successfully dislike having to stay put for the required amount of time every day, so that's something to take into account. It can be very irritating to be stuck there if you're unable to set the time aside and relax.

I hope some of the gals who use it will come along soon and give you a first-hand account.

Be well!
Binney

 Binney and Friends,

I got a phone call that my Flexitouch suit was covered and it will be here in a week, I can't wait to get my swelling down and feel better. I hope the other things I fighting start going this way. Thanks Brinney for opening my eyes to fight for what I need, My Therapy lady knew about the suit and never told me.  Thanks again, Debbie

Katiejane, I love you dog!  It took a couple of months and I kept in touch with them alot as I do with my other things I need for lymphedema. My Lady that got my lymphedema suit a year ago wants money for it, She said she never got paid.  But keep checking,even to see if they still got your name and if their working on it. Good luck, I will be praying it come easy for you too. Take care, Debbie

Katiejane,  Talk to your massage lady and see if she will set it up. Then I kept calling to check on seeing if it was getting any where. They were very good with me and never was edgy when I called. You could call them to ask if it's going threw or you need if they need anything. Hug those animals for me, Debbie

Binney and Friends,  I got my Flexitouch, But UPS delivered it down the street. They were going to call me and it was going to be delivered tomorrow I was told. The man 3 blocks down called me and said,"Are you Debbie?" (anyone could have gotten this).I said yes, I have your package here. Oh wow! I thought I have an echo little car. I will be down as soon as I can. He came and brought it to me. What do you think about that?