WARNING: $4.99 Compression sleeve on line

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OneBadBoob
OneBadBoob Member Posts: 1,386
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

http://www.drleonards.com/Support-Mobility/Support-Socks-More/Compression-Sleeve/75212.cfm?clickSource=JUMP_SEARCH

Note the inappropriate fit and the sizing--by weight!

I have been on the phone for over an hour to find out what the compression class is, and no body at the company seems to know what compression class is.

I received a note from my therapist--she has already had two women say they wanted to purchase this sleeve because it was inexpensive.

I have been on hold for about 22 minutes with marketing to get more information on this sleeve.

Improve your circulation and help accelerate the healing process with this compression sleeve. It provides comfort and support to minimize swelling in arms or legs due to surgical procedures or lymphedema. It has a lightweight seamless design with nonslip bands. Nylon/spandex. Made in the USA. Machine wash and dry.

Available in sizes:SMD(90-140 lbs.), ML(135-165 lbs.), XL(165-210 lbs.) or XXL(210-250 lbs.)
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Comments

  • Suzybelle
    Suzybelle Member Posts: 920
    edited August 2013

    It looks like the same sleeve for the arm as well as the leg.


    Wieners just trying to make a buck off of someone else's misfortune.  YellYellYell

    Edited to say that I sent them an email telling them it was extremely irresponsible to have a product like that...

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  • LindaLou53
    LindaLou53 Member Posts: 929
    edited August 2013

    Did you notice when you go to the site and look at the larger HD photos of the sleeve on the leg it shows the top band of the "sleeve" hitting right at the popliteal area behind the knee??  No leg garment should end right at the knee....either above on the thigh or below the knee but not right at the knee.  And yes Suzy I think they are advocating use of the same garment for leg or arm either one.  Obviously the arm sleeve is too short in the photo and a persons weight is not the measurement they should be concerned about.  How many patients have normal body weight with a very swollen arm??  Where does the concept of a compression gradient come into play with this product?

    I think we should all head over to Dr Leonard's Facebook site and politely but seriously express our concerns for the misinformation and potential harm his product advertisement implies.

    Here is the link to their Facebook website:  

    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Edison/Dr-Leonards/126304021216

    Hmm....looks like the only way to leave a comment on his Facebook page is to become a FAN!  I don't see any option to post a comment unless I click on the "LIKE" button which then posts a message on your personal FB page that you LIKE Dr. Leonard's site....don't think I want to do that.

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited November 2010

    It reminds me of the saying "If something seems too good to be true, it probably is".

    Leah

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  • OneBadBoob
    OneBadBoob Member Posts: 1,386
    edited November 2010

    Ladies, lets please all write a review on that page.

    Here is what I wrote:

    Your Review:

    THIS IS A DANGEROUS PRODUCT FOR LE FOLKS

    By Advocate for Lymphedema Patients from Metro NY on 11/3/2010
    Cons: Company does not know cc, Doesn't Fit Best Uses: None, Avoid this dangerous item Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

    Look at the larger HD photos of the sleeve on the leg it shows the top band of the "sleeve" hitting right at the popliteal area behind the knee?? No leg garment should end right at the knee ....either above on the thigh or below the knee but not right at the knee. They are advocating use of the same garment for leg or arm either one. Obviously the arm sleeve is too short in the photo and a person's weight is not something they should be concerned about when fitting a sleeve for lymphedema. How many patients have normal body weight with a very swollen arm?? Where does the concept of a compression gradient come into play with this product?

    Do you believe not one person in this company's customer support knows what compression class this garments is, nor do they even know what compression class is.

    Also, it shown without a gauntlet.

    Please be measured by an expert LYMPHADEMA garment fitter and purchase a garment that is sized to your arm or leg, not your weight, and is of the appropriate compression class for your condition, which only your therapist can tell you.

    The use of this product can be very dangerous.

    I had to give my e-mail, which I did, and they said it would take 3 to 5 days to appear.

    Please, lets all do this!

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited November 2010

    Perhaps the weight loss ring that's on sale would get us all into the small LE sleeve Tongue out (insert puke face here)

    Totally irresponsible!!!

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  • OneBadBoob
    OneBadBoob Member Posts: 1,386
    edited November 2010

    I have not yet receive any response to my phone calls, web reviews or letters.

    Anyone else?

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited November 2010

    Jane, somehow I don't imagine they're real eager to post our reviews...

    HmmmmKiss,
    Binney

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  • OneBadBoob
    OneBadBoob Member Posts: 1,386
    edited November 2010

    I think you are right, Binney.

    Unfortunatley they are not returning phone calls or e-mails, or even snail mail.

    Lets keep making "noise" so maybe they will take this off.

    My LE therapist has had many of her patients willing t purchase this product to save money.  That is not acceptable.

    Please, everyone help to post a bad review on line  and an e-mail to the distributor!!

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  • Suzybelle
    Suzybelle Member Posts: 920
    edited November 2010

    They have not responded to my email, either.

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  • pamelahope
    pamelahope Member Posts: 534
    edited July 2012

    I came across this thread and was surprised to read someone saying that these sleeves were dangerous and someone would slander a company without all the facts.

    I have a blood clotting disorder and had a DVT where my left leg blew up to twice its side. This company offers compression garments at an affordable price. Because I used Dr. Leonards compression sleeve, I have no post thrombotic syndrome, and both my legs are the same size, and before bc, I was walking 5 miles a day.

    I recently suffered a clot in my arm, and because of your misinformation and ignorance, I now have to spend much more money on a sleeve. Lymphadema is not the only reason for a arm sleeve.

    I looked at the catalog, and do not see the sleeves for sale.

    Please, take back whatever you did so I can find affordable compression sleeves.

    Pam

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited July 2012

    Pamela, I'm so sorry you're dealing with the DVT troubles, but glad you've been able to stay on top of it so well. All this bc treatment sure doesn't help!Frown If you found these garments useful for your post thrombotic syndrome, I'm sorry they're not available to you now, but I seriously doubt their disappearance had anything to do with our feeble campaign to warn women with lymphedema against their false advertising. You'll note they were advertising them for lymphedema use--yikes!Surprised Great way to make the lymphedema much worse and raise the risk of serious systemic infection that could lead to hospitalization, or even death. So it's way more likely they've disappeared as a result of something costly, like a law suit, for their illegal activities.

    That said, it is hard to find reasonably priced compression sleeves. Have you tried BrightLifeDirect? They're a reputable company with good prices and knowledgeable customer service personnel who not only answer their phones but do it with grace and skill:
    http://www.BrightLifeDirect.com
    Their Allegro sleeves are currently on sale, three for the price of two:
    http://www.brightlifedirect.com/LYMPHEDEMA-PRODUCTS-Armsleeves/c133_134/p2493/Allegro-20-30mmHg-Compression-Armsleeve---%2361/product_info.html

    The issue you're facing now, though, is that since being treated for breast cancer, you too are at risk for lymphedema, and a poorly-fitting sleeve for post thrombotic syndrome could create the conditions to trigger it. If you haven't seen a well-trained lymphedema therapist for baseline arm measurements and personalized lymphedema risk-reduction guidelines, that would be a big help in preventing (or delaying) onset. That's especially important when there's a clotting disorder as part of the picture, since that would definitely complicate treatment. A therapist could help with proper sleeve fitting as well. Any doctor on your team can write you a referral. And you might want to check out the "proper fitting of compression garments" page at StepUp-SpeakOut. It's here:
    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/proper_fitting_of_lymphedema_garments.htm

    I hope some of that helps, and I hope you never have to join our Sisterhood of Swell!Smile Be well!
    Binney

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  • pamelahope
    pamelahope Member Posts: 534
    edited July 2012

    Thank you Bonney! I appreciate the information. I will look into the sites you suggest. I got upset as I remembered their products from four years ago and had great results. People compliment my legs and no one can tell I had a DVT!

    I imagine having a blood clot in my arm puts me at risk for lymphadema. I want to buy a compression sleeve to clear the clot up better before my mastectomy.

    Sorry, to get so upset, but I was so disappointed to see their sleeve no longer available. When you look at prices on the internet some sleeves are 40-50...For my purposes, Doctor Leonard's would have worked.

    However, I do appreciate your advice on Lymphadema. The less side effects after treatment the better. Plus, you are right, I should get a proper fitting when the time comes. Do you do that before the mastectomy?

    Pam

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited July 2012

    Pamela, no need to apologize for being upset -- we all get it, for sure!Undecided Getting baseline arm measurements before surgery assures that you have a way to compare later arm measurements, so you can track any new swelling (for whatever reason) and act quickly to treat before it progresses. Lymphedema therapists use a program that can track measurements and account for weight shifts as well, which makes for really accurate reading of how your arms are doing. And an experienced lymphedema therapist will be best able to judge the fit of garments too, as that's part of their training. That will be helpful in assuring that a bad fit won't trigger lymphedema.

    Wishing you smooth sailing through all that's ahead!
    Binney

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  • KS1
    KS1 Member Posts: 632
    edited July 2012

    Pamela,

    LE-wise, many experts think that people who are at risk for LE should wear a glove or gauntlet when they wear compression sleeves.  So if  you get a sleeve, you should think about either getting  one that is a gauntlet/sleeve combo (allegro makes one) or getting a gauntlet or glove to go with the sleeve.  (A gauntlet is kind of like a mitten with the top cut off.)

    Putting aside the whole question of LE-prevention, if you have a known clotting disorder and have had a DVT in your leg, if you are going to wear stockings, the standard is a stocking with closed toe.  Similarly, if you have had a DVT in your arm, you should wear a glove or gauntlet.  The reasoning is that you may have subclinical venous insufficiency and you don't want a tourniquet effect at the wrist or ankle.  

    Are on on anticoagulants?  If so, which one?  CA increases the risk of blood clots in everyone (not just people with underlying clotting disorders), and studies suggest that, for cancer patients, oral anticoagulants (warfarin) don't work as well as low molecular weight heparin (e.g. lovenox). PM me if you want.  KS1

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  • pamelahope
    pamelahope Member Posts: 534
    edited July 2012

    KS1,

    I am a little tired so excuse the brevity of my post. Chemo is kicking my butt!

    I appreciate the information re the gauntlet. I did not know.

    I was on coumadin, had a problem with my port, they used a vein for chemo and it clotted, and just switched to arixtra and about to be reswitched to fragmin...thanks, Pam

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  • dassi52
    dassi52 Member Posts: 206
    edited October 2012

    Good for you that you discovered this one. You should know that there are some cheapo gloves out there.  DeRoyal for example makes a cheap glove, and they don't post how much compression it gives. I wrote the company which is reputable. I don't quite remember their answer. I think it was just very little pressure and maybe good for people with arthritis. The only one that gives pressure info on their cheap gloves is Isotoner. You'll find it on their website. That could be a cheap solution for an extra pair of gloves, provided the standard size fits you. 

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