Do your wraps slip over time?Mummy is losing some ground...

Hi Moogie, When  i was first dx with le i wrapped 23  hours a day for weeks.

No your wraps shouldn't be slipping. Keep practicing and you will get it right.

It does get easier. bc and le hugs jinky

Hi, moogie,

You sound good! Acceptance comes and goes for me, but it is the goal after all, and you're definitely moving in a healthy direction -- give yourself a few good pats on the back!

As everyone's already noted, bandage slipping isn't usually part of the ideal picture. And as they've also already noted, practice is key. It's also frustrating, but if you step outside a minute and listen real carefully hopefully you can hear the distant sound of all of us cheering you on!

The exception to "slipping-is-not-good" would be if your swelling is going down rapidly -- then your wrap can loosen and start to slip after six or eight hours. If you had a lot of swelling to begin with, and if you're active while you're wrapped, that could certainly happen. In European lymphedema therapy they routinely wrap every eight hours, as those first eight hours see the greatest reduction. After that the reduction slows, and one theory is that the wrap is then no longer as tight as it was, so the compression is much less. Makes sense to me.

(Y'know how they manage to wrap patients every eight hours? They do initial lymphedema therapy on an in-patient basis, that's how. At special lymphedema hospitals. Not exactly my idea of a good time, but it sure is effective! We are waaaay behind on lymphedema treatment.)

Be well!
Binney

Moogie, I use foam---I tried artiflex, and found it kind of itchy and my elbow did take a beating. The foam stays in place and is washable if needed. 

I saved the artiflex, and use it to pad pressure points.

Kira

I was doing a forearm wrap, because my hand is the primary issue, and somehow managed to trap some fluid in my elbow, so I'm back to the whole arm mummy at night, and it is a hard to take, but after just a few days, I'm much better and faster at at. 

Hi, Inspie,

Here's one:

http://www.bandagesplus.com/prd/70/693/Foam-Roll.html

Have a great Monday!
Binney

Moogie, I use the foam wrap, the Rosidal soft--I have instructions from both Guenter Klose and my therapist that talk about putting some extra padding at the front of the elbow and wrapping differently at the elbow to protect it. I don't have any link to them, as they're papers. I'll try to see if if I can post them.

My swelling is primarily in my hand, and I've only worn a glove. BUT--I noticed that the forearm wrap the PT at Mass General had me do, was creating a pocket of fluid above my elbow. We've had some bizarre emails about it--after a disappointing visit last week--and for the last week I've wrapped up to the axilla.

I have a local massage therapist, who is LANA, and I'll see her today.

I just couldn't believe that I created a problem in my arm--which has been no problem at all--and the therapist blew me off. (I forwarded her emails to Dr. Binney who was outraged for me. She also told me about the former pumps that left fluid without clearing it, and created fibrosis.)

I've been through multiple LE therapists, and finally thought I found a decent one...

So, yes, I do only wear a glove, and recently can get away with wearing it less, but this elbow fluid pocket is really upsetting me, as I think the forearm wrap caused it.

Kira 

Moogie, I saw my massage LE therapist today, and we reviewed wrapping, and she puts a fold of artiflex in the crease of the elbow to pad it under the foam.

I agree with you, artiflex falls apart.

I get really detail oriented when I wrap as well: try to make sure the overlap is correct, the gradient is correct--so if you're like that, I blame the artiflex too. I only tried it once, and just didn't like it.

Kira 

Moogie, I agree, and it's virtually indestructible, distributes pressure evenly, and can be hand washed. I hear you should keep it out of direct sunlight.

Artiflex is good for padding pressure points, IMO, but I didn't like it as the padding layer.

Glad the Komen fund helped you get the foam.

Kira