Jovi pack vs solaris???

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Nordy
Nordy Member Posts: 2,106
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Okay, ladies! I need some help! I am going to get fitted for a new night garment. My current one is the Jovi Pac - but it has a zipper in it and has never been very good for my arm. Where the zipper starts has caused an area of fibrosis - because it disrupts the lymph flow in that area. I would consider another Jovi, but without the zipper, but want to know what has worked best for everyone else. Thanks!

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited January 2011

    Nordy--my LE is primarily in my hand--I found the jovipak was well sewn, but didn't compress my fingers enough--even with the oversleeve, so I got a Solaris Tribute, and it had to go back for new garment because it was too short on my hand, but overall it works well.

    But, I tend to wrap most nights, as I find it's better for my hand.

    The Solaris seems more "crude"--larger channels, rougher fabric--but it works better for me, and I wear it when I fly and it works like a charm.

    Binney has both brands.

    I got a flyer from jovi after the NLN and it states that a jovipak is considered a "liner" and always meant to be work with either a jovi jacket or a short stretch bandage. News to me.

    Kira

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited January 2011

    Nordy, Jovi is creative and innovative, and their fabrics and colors are lovely. But for me the Solaris works best.

    Interesting about the zipper, Nordy. Solaris puts a zipper in mine what runs from just above the wrist to just below the axilla and does not open at either top or bottom (since my LE is bilateral and I wear a chest garment as well, and they all snap together into a single, grizzly bear-type garment, I have to have zippers in the arms or I'd never be able to get it on -- or to get an arm out to go to the bathroom at night!Embarassed)

    Jovi tells me they won't make a full zipper, though they'll put one in either the upper arm or lower arm (?) Since I've never been able to figure out how that would help me at night, I have to order theirs with separate gloves or I'd be stuck in it. (Does that make sense? It's hard to picture this arrangement).

    So, is your zipper only on half the sleeve? And if so, does it open at the bottom? (Or top, as the case may be). If I only needed one sleeve I wouldn't bother with any zippers, though I think they're great for women with fibromyalgia or trouble donning due to arm strength issues.

    Okay, I just reread what I wrote and it's not exactly eloquent.Undecided Hope you can figure out what I'm talking about!

    Be well,
    Binney

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  • Nordy
    Nordy Member Posts: 2,106
    edited January 2011

    Binney - I did figure it out! My zipper is on the upper arm. I requested it because at the time I had just had a baby and figured it would be helpful to get it off quickly to pick her up/change her in the middle of the night. The zipper ends at about mid forearm - and that is where my tissue has gotten somewhat hard and fibrotic. I don't think it is coincidental! When my PT called to talk to the Jovi rep last year, they totally gave her the run around. SO, that makes me want to try the Solaris even more! Thank you for your input, it helps a lot!

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  • Suzybelle
    Suzybelle Member Posts: 920
    edited January 2011

    Hi, Nordy - another vote for the Solaris here.  I have never tried the jovi, but can tell you that the Solaris sleeve is comfy almost all of the time.  The only time it's not is when my arm is really acting up, and I do better with bandages then, anyway.

    I only wear the Solaris at night, but I wish it was more...fashionable.  There is no way in hades I'm going to wear it out in public.  I realize an oven mitt is not going to make a fashion statement but I feel like Mr. Stay Puff when I wear it.  I wish they would at least put some lightening bolts on it or something.  Yes, I am shallow.

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited January 2011

    Suzy, they just started making Solaris in colors--not just the black/silver.

    When I flew home from the NLN Conference--I had a cold, and flew on a packed Southwest Plane full of hyped up Disney World kids, and I had my Solaris on, with a short stretch over it, and I think my seatmate thought I had a fracture (little did we all know, I soon would) and she made an extra effort to put my drink and peanuts right on my tray...

    I agree, the old oven mitt look doesn't work well in public, but I do vote for Solaris, and I find them very easy to deal with--my fitter prefers them as they will re-sew the sleeve for free, while jovi charges 60$ and hour to make any alterations.

    I have corresponded with Dave Lishka at Solaris and he's been incredibly helpful, and I finally met him at the NLN conference--really nice guy.

    Kira

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  • KittyDog
    KittyDog Member Posts: 1,079
    edited January 2011

    :( I will admitt I like my tribute.  Solaris was nice enough to cut the hand mitt off for me for free!  I only wish that they would have done the same thing for the over sleeve.  I think I am going to ask the guy who fitted me to alter that part.  If not...I have a serger and I can hem it too.  lol      Good Luck.

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  • Nordy
    Nordy Member Posts: 2,106
    edited February 2011

    Okay... I have been wearing the Solaris Caresia that my LE therapist loaned me for a week now, wrapping my fingers/hand and wrapping over it. Can I just tell you how much I love it? Really. It has helped my arm to go down at night, and then it stays down during the day. So, so comfortable and breaking up the fibrotic tissue in my forearm that the Jovi Pac CAUSED. I am a fan!!!

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited February 2011

    Nordy, it's great that she let you try the Caresia--do you wrap over it?

    I shared this thread with my contact at Solaris, and they appreciated it.

    So good to hear that it's getting rid of the fibrosis. 

    New puppy yet?

    Kira

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  • Nordy
    Nordy Member Posts: 2,106
    edited February 2011

    Hi Kira! Puppy comes next week. We are super excited - were at the breeder's over the weekend to pick our pup. Little boy - my kids named him Cloud. He needs another week with his mama, then he will be here! Back to some sleepless nights for a few days, but he is already close to being potty trained, so hopefully it won't be too hard.

    Yes, I wrap over the Caresia - but it is so easy and takes only a minute. And I usually only do one layer of wrapping. We played with some different things for my hand including the solaris mitt - but it gave me pain and increased swelling at my finger tips, so I am wrapping my hand/fingers at night. I really love the Solaris. I can't believe it took me this long to try it... I have been living with the Jovi for the past 4 years and the gradual worsening of my arm. It is so nice to have something that is actually beneficial - not just for maintenance but is treating my arm. Love, love, love it. You can tell your contact at Solaris that I love to spread the word when I find a product that works, so more people will be hearing about it! 

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited February 2011

    Nordy, hands are HARD--that's why I usually wrap and use the Solaris for breaks. It's good that you can wrap your hand and use the arm Caresia.

    Very exciting about the puppy--we considered a second dog this week, and decided we're just not up to the challenge quite yet, but they are so wonderful! 

    Kira

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