Who wears a gauntlet instead of a glove

cookiegal, here is a link to a website my LE therapist gave me...  She said the garments are the same ones the hospital has, but the prices are MUCH cheaper than what she can offfer.  The second website is just a random one I picked, and the prices appear to be comparable.  In just a passing glance, first site appears to have quite a variety of lymphadema supplies, including some reasonably priced "My SassySleeve" items, that everyone else may know about, but I just stumbled on.  Evidently, they go over your compression sleeve to add a little "color," but aren't supposed to add compression?  If it saves me on snags, it would be worth it!  Anyone used these?    

http://www.bandagesplus.com/ (Looks like they carry Jobst, Juzo, Solidea, Mediven and Medi 95)

http://www.metromedicalonline.com/

@pil - The first website listed has a book called "100 Questions and Answers About Lymphedema."  I'm guessing there might not be any better information there than what you're getting from these ladies who have "been there, done that," but it might be an option for you...

@lago - I'm just learning the whole "sizing" thing about these garments, but it appears Juzo has some colored sleeves that are available in "long?"  Also, are you familiar with "My SassySleeve"?  I just have a hard time resigning myself to boring beige...  

@binney - Have you ever heard of a low level laser unit for the treatment of Lymphedema?  (Listed on the bandagesplus website under lymphedema specialties, I think.)  Any idea what it is?

Thank you to this fabulous support system!  Off to bed for tomorrow's 9 am chemo regimen...already 12:45--darned steroids!  Hope tomorrow is a fantastic day for all!

We should all be wearing some kind of latex or protective gloves when cleaning, food prep or gardening. Gloves will protect you hand from getting cuts which can get infected or aggravate your LE. I never used gloves till I had my surgery. Now I'm quite used to putting them on.

Cookie the glove & gauntlet I posted are both medi. My LE therapist recommended the site below becuase they have specials every month. Ends up my mom  has been purchasing from them for her compression stockings for several years too:  http://www.brightlifedirect.com/

YamahaMama  I am not familiar with SassySleeve. Maybe I'll check out Juzo if my LE MD is OK with that brand. My BS always orders Medi sleeve/glove for everyone automatically. When I got my presciption from him it was only for prevenative (flying on a plane). Ends up the place that measured me didn't know what they were doing.

It was my LE therapist that said they were too short for me. I was right on the cusp which means they should have gone up a size. They should have also noticed that the glove fingers were too short (pretty obvious by looking at my photo). They also gave me silicon top which was uncomfortable for me and not needed. I have smaller arms so I don't need the silicon. They just wanted to sell me what they had in stock.

Even when I went back to exchange they fought me on the silicon issue. Why? because that's what they had in stock. They had to order me the long sleeve with out silicon. When I replaced them 6 months later I went to a different place. I don't purchase online because I use an "in network" place so my insurance will cover it.

SassySleeves are a sleeve cover, not supposed to add compression. I see by the latest edition of the NLN e-newsletter that they're all excited about them, because they say it's great for women who otherwise won't be compliant in wearing their sleeves.

Since they're standard sizes, not custom, it would worry me that they might, in fact, add compression for some women in some places. Which would have a tourniquet effect. But apparently nobody but me is worried about that, so I'm assuming they must be so light weight and stretchy that they're not a problem for anyone. I hope if anyone tries them they'll give us a full report -- please!

At any rate Juzo, Gottfried, Barton-Carey, and Bio-Concepts all offer sleeves/gloves in assorted colors, and of course Lymphedivas has both solids and patterns. For myself, since I live in a very hot climate, another layer would be inconceivable, but I do think the SassySleeve patterns are great fun. Maybe for winter...?

Dawn, thanks for your great answer to the laser question -- delightfully even-handed.

Hugs,
Binney

@lago - my BS told me the numbness in the back of my arm was normal, and would probably never go away...  My PS told me it would eventually go away, but it could take a year.  Both those answers sucked, because I couldn't stand to have my arm jostled in any way...  A very short motorcycle ride with my DH was agony, and I had to use my good hand to hold the back of my bad arm in place.  There was no way I was going to be able to ride on my own!  My first visit to the chemo doc, when I told them about the numbness, they set me up immediately with the LE therapist.  She was, without a doubt, the best thing to happen to me in those first weeks!  She measured me for the sleeve and glove, but I think my glove is too short, also...  I was also on the cusp, but I think she ordered the larger one for me...  The fingers were just too short, but I don't have especially long fingers.  Hopefully you'll find some that work for you! 

@Dawn - Thanks for the info...  I'll have to do a little "light" reading at some point, but it won't be tonight, LOL!  I gather from your and Binney's PC responses it's not a must-read anytime soon!  Hahaha

@Binney - I did notice on some of the photos on SassySleeve's gallery, some of those sleeves looked VERY tight at the top!  It would be hard to imagine they wouldn't add some compression, especially if you went too small...  And, there are no refunds.   I may be traveling to Denver soon if my sister is able to schedule a surgery there, and I see SassySleeves has a retail outlet in Englewood, which would be fairly close to the hospital she would be at.  If that's the case, I'll try to pop in there and at least try some on and report back!  I haven't checked with my insurance company yet to see what their policy is on numbers of sleeves/gloves, etc.  So far, I have one glove, one gauntlet, one sleeve, and the night sleeve...  I would love to try the Lymphedivas, but I will have to check out the other ones you listed.  I don't think I've seen the Gottfried or Barton-Carey ones.  Or, there are the plain colors, but at least colors, from Juzo! 

Thanks to all for the info, as always! 

Binney, My LE therapist thinks that if I do the MLD in my hand & arm that it won't go into my fingers.  I would have to say it hasn't been as bad as before I learned the MLD but I do get mild swelling occasionaly.  I'm sure if I went back she would teach me, she was an excellent teacher.  I just kind of used the same techniques for the arm and hand & did the same for my fingers.  NJ

Guess I'm REALLY behind on the times...  Who is Chilli???  I'm sure my kids would know, huh?  LOL

Lago, I like that answer!  I find I'm really "chatty" these days about things I maybe shouldn't be, I think out of self-consciousness...  I'm sure that will pass with time... 

TLC, huh?  Didn't they do "Waterfalls" or something like that? 

Thanks for the suggestion of shaking up the color thing, Kane744!  You're right...those Lymphediva sleeves are pretty pricey!  I'm just not sure how willing I'll be to spit out $150 for a sleeve and glove that will only last me about six months?  The Juzo's appear to be much cheaper, so I might have to go that route. 

Thanks, Lago!  I've looked at that site several times, and never ever noticed that!  Whoo hoo!

Glad to turn you guys onto to it. Why do I have to have such long arms. No LympheDivas for me.

Dang it, lago, that's just like me.... just when I decide I like something, I find out it's 30 years out-of-fashion. 

otter

P.S.:  I've had cut-off-fingertip gloves for decades -- ever since my dh-to-be got me some for sailing on his catamaran.  They're stretchy, and the fit is supposed to be snug (they close with velcro).  I've been thinking of buying a new pair to wear for compression, 'cause they would look great when we're doing water sports.

@ both of you