Sleepwear with a night garment

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Cori221
Cori221 Member Posts: 21
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

I have just had a flare after 9 months of being controlled by doing MLD nightly and wearing a sleeve and glove during the day.  I went back to my great LE therapist and after a week and a half of bandaging  (which got my swelling done considerably ) and getting a new sleeve and glove we decided to add morning MLD and a night garment to my routine.  We have ordered a Solarius Tribute so I am sure I will have lots of questions after it arrives. The major question I have presently is what do those of you who live in cold climates wear to sleep at night over your night sleeves or bandages?  I keep my house really cold at night during the winter and am used to sleeping in flannel PJs. Whenever I was bandaged it was during the summer so haven't had the issue at night. I am sure there are some very creative sisters out there so am anxious to hear your thoughts.

Thanks,

Cori 

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

    Cori, I either wrap or wear the Solaris at night, I found some soft stretchy pj tops at Sierra Traders--some Swiss brand I think, and they stretch to cover the wrap/Solaris and don't get pulled out of shape. I'll have to check the brand. They're incredibly soft. I had to toss all night wear that didn't stretch.

    Kira 

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  • Jennifer1295
    Jennifer1295 Member Posts: 244
    edited October 2011

    I have not posted to the MB's for a while but thought I would share. I wear this same night sleeve and have learned to remove the stitching on my long sleep flannel PJ tops. I either use a safety pin or velcro to reclose the the end of the sleeve.  I love the wamth and comfort of my PJ's and this works well.

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  • KS1
    KS1 Member Posts: 632
    edited October 2011

    Hi Cori,  I wear the nylon "overjacket" with my Tribute, and the combination keeps that arm very warm and the last thing I want is another layer of material on that arm.  Most nights,  I sleep in a \ T-shirt with sleeves that go to just above my elbow.  On cold nights,  the trick is making sure my trunk and non LE arm doesn't freeze.  I exclusively sleep on my side lying on non-LE arm, so that arm stays warm. When it is cold, I wear a fleece vest to bed.  When it gets really really cold, I wear a jacket that has detachable sleeves and I detach the sleeve on my LE arm.  KS1

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

    Jennifer, welcome, welcome! Wonderful to "see" you back, and what a lovely idea for fixing the sleeve. How in the world are you?!!Smile

    The obvious solution is to cut off the one nightgown sleeve altogether, but I've never been able to do that. It's just too depressing, too final. (How's that for major, long-term denial?UndecidedLaughing)

    Does anyone know any nightwear/lingerie designers who could work on this problem? Maybe a local college with a clothing design class? There are several small companies that design post-mastectomy nightwear, but none of them have tackled this problem. Last month I emailed Chikara, the folks who do all those stunner single-breasted dress and nightwear designs, and laid out this problem for them. They were very kind but said they couldn't extend themselves at this time (understandable, considering the economy.) We need to get somebody on board designing for us, because doggone if we aren't stuck with this industrial-look nighttime style disaster at a time in our lives when we need all the "feminine" we can get. Thoughts?

    Thanks,
    Binney 

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  • Outfield
    Outfield Member Posts: 1,109
    edited October 2011

    I've been wondering this too.  I've slept in footed fleece pajamas (yes, same as my kids') for years. There's no way I could fit them over the Solaris, but I have very little body fat and no cold tolerance. I hate to mutilate my PJ's, but I guess I'll have to suck it up and alter the sleeve.  I like that idea better than not wearing them.

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited October 2011

    Outfield, if you sew, maybe you can open the seam of the arm and put some sort of stretchy fabric extender in it.

    Leah

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  • Outfield
    Outfield Member Posts: 1,109
    edited October 2011

    Leah, I like that idea a lot, thanks.  I can sew anything by hand, but I never think about things that are machine-jobs, just doesn't come into my brain.  I do know somebody who can do this.

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  • garnet131
    garnet131 Member Posts: 64
    edited October 2011

    I'm going to consider Jennifer's idea about opening up the seam on left sleeve.  Just got my "Tribby" last month and so far it's been tanks or sleeveless tops. Since I wear flannel pjs in winter, I was thinking I'd wear the pj top as a jacket over a tank before bed when I usually enjoy a brief "free time" between day and night sleeves and then just sleep in tank alone--but then right arm will likely be cold since I keep house chilly at night.

     Definitely understand Binney's reluctance to cutting off sleeve ("mutilating my nightwear" is what comes to my mind--maybe if I try it on oldest or least favorite pjs...).   Guess I'll wait and see what conditions are when cold weather is here and I get out the flannel pjs.

    Just started using the Tribby "overjacket" the past 2 nights (after being told by fitter and therapist that it was underliner and wearing it wrong for a month) and agree with KS about how warm it is--seems twice as hot when worn over instead of under! Miss the silky liner next to my skin, but have to wear it correctly after talking to Solaris on Monday.

    Garnet

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  • garnet131
    garnet131 Member Posts: 64
    edited October 2011

    Was camping Thursday and Friday. Since the forecast was chilly weather, I took a long-sleeve t-shirt to sleep in. Put Tribby on the first night and...duh...spent the night in sleeping bag with right sleeve on and left sleeve off--rather awkward.  So the next night, I cut off the left sleeve--it's a BC Walk t-shirt, so perhaps appropriate.

    Will be harder to do on my "real" jammies. Was happy last night to find one pair that stretched to fit over Tribby!

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