GRRRRRRRRR I HATE LE..........

ohio4me !!  Happy dance!! 

It's always good to hear when things go well and improve.

Rockym, I have a Juzo dreamsleeve I like but its the only brand I've tried. I'm sure others with more experience here can give you some good advice on what to buy.

We absolutely LOVE good news.  That is great that you are getting some relief.  Any victory against LE makes me unbelievably happy!!  Dancing naked right now haha

Maggie

How snug is my gauntlet supposed to be?  by the knuckles, on the one I have, seems to be loose, the mid-hand is tighter but not uncomfortable and then the wrist seems to be like the knuckle part.. I sometimes hate being a newbie!!!! I am bugging you gals all the time....

Kira - My hand and fingers are fine I think this is more a precaution -I do get a little swelling between 2 of my knuckles (index and 2nd finger knuckles) - it just seems to be loose to me at the knuckles - I can slide two fingers in the palm part without stretching... The thumb part feels good/snug.  

So far, found the breast LE, 4 weeks ago, and as of last week the mid forearm, elbow and mid upper arm have been swelling.. soon as the sleeve comes off it seems to swell again.. would wrapping be better than sleeve? - I'm going to talk to LET tomorrow about it.. I really didn't think swelling would travel to my arm this soon - I thought we had breast under control :-/  

Every week something new - do we ever get a break???

NOTE: Expand-a-Band - Compression Bra runs small - I am a 44 their XL is 40-45 too small and elastic on the bottom rolled up - no problem sending it back and they are sending me another - I will get it by friday - I will try the xxl and let you know if it is just the size adjustment or the whole thing stinks... I like the feel of the inside and it doesn't itch - was just too small.

Galsal,  Hope you'll heal quickly and feel better soon!!!  I sent you a PM.

Here's a question for you swell experts:  Do you ever get an early warning signal in the form of some itchy, tiny bumps?  I have never had swelling in my hand, only in the upper arm and on the side of my trunk.  In the last few days, I've had itchy little bumps on my ring finger.  A few days ago, I couldn't tolerate wearing my wedding rings, so I took off the set and the problem seemed to clear up.  Yesterday I put on a simple band that I wear scuba diving and other times when I worry about the stone in my engagement ring/wedding band set.  Today--same issue, the bumps and itching came back.  I see no swelling anywhere in my  hand and none anywhere else, for that matter; just the usual heavy achey feeling in my upper arm.  Well, except for where my dear dog scratched me ever so superficially about five days ago, and I can see that it provoked a bit of persistent swelling, very localized.  No redness. I've been watching it like a hawk.  Still, it makes me nervous so I'm wondering if the funny area on my finger is somehow related.  This is so random, I cannot make heads nor tails of it, and I cannot help wondering if there's an infection brewing.  Somehow going to an ER to show them an itchy finger does not appeal (I am away from home now...do have my Keflex with me).  Any wisdom?

Carol 

Carol--I get little bumps under jewelry when it is hot outside.  I always figured it was heat rash.  I just don't wear much jewelry in the summer.

Becky, thank you!  The bumps are next to, not under the rings, but it's logical that the heat could be provoking the problem.  

I'm with Ohio--it's beyond tedious to care for the LE, but the consequences....

Cookie--it's the nature of a chronic disease. You poop out on motivation. My LE therapist always says to "see what you can get away with"--and if you can't skip the sleeve, you'll put it on, because the consequences will motivate you.

I used to care for adolescents and those with chronic diseases would test their limits. We're really no different, except we have better reasoning powers.

We get sick and tired of being sick and tired (It's a famous quote, Binney knows who said it.)

Gma, That sounds like a lot of fun!  I think I read it's ok to get the sleeve wet but I don't know how it would feel all day after that going around with a soggy arm.   Can you take off the sleeve just for the ride?   The raincoat might be a good idea! 

 Log Ride records!!!

I miss parks and rides. I used to love rollercoasters but now I'm a little too scared to get back on any. Its the bumping around like you mentioned that I'm afraid might do something to my arm.

Maybe someone already answered this one...what do folks do about swimming?  I can't swim, because I can't get my arm up over my head to do a swim stroke, but I would like to be able to get in a pool or the ocean if I have the chance.  Should I keep my sleeve on in the water?  I'm thinking maybe I should get a spare one just for that because the chlorine and the saltwater can't be good for a sleeve. 

I need your help and your advice.  My left arm hurts.  It just aches.  It really, really hurts.  It has finally motivated me to jump back through all the bureacratic b.s. to try and see my LE OT therapist again.

 I was on public aid for my breast cancer treatment.  They dropped me back in November because I was 'done' with my breast cancer treatment.  I called the therapist's clinic today to see if they would let me private pay and they are going to send me all the paperwork to fill out for 'financial aid.'  My PC doc moved to the V.A. so I don't have.  I've asked around and today finally mustered up enough courage to call.  Gave them my social security number, made an appointment for August 2nd.  Hurray!  Five minutes later they call me back and said they are not accepting medicaid patients.  I told her the first time that I would be private pay ... that I had no insurance.  She was fine with that ... then on the second phone call she said I showed up in the system as public aid and they would not take me.  I said, "I don't have P.A. they dropped me in November I will pay up front, come in with cash, credit card" she said, "No, since you show up in the system as being eligible for public aid we won't take you."  WTH?  What am I supposed to do?  I DON'T HAVE PUBLIC AID ... I haven't had it since November .... I'm stuck in bureacratic hell .... I've been crying for the last thirty minutes and can't pull it together ... I feel so lost, so alone, so abandoned ... I need help ... what should I do, ladies?  I could try the public aid office but I don't show up in their system?  What do I need to do?  I'm so frustrated!   

Dawne-Hope, I soooo know that feeling (surgeon "abandoned" me between my two mastectomies and I cried for two days).

So first of all, have a good cry, and don't beat yourself up for it. You'll pull yourself together later--you are NOT alone and you WILL get this worked out. But that feeling of abandonment is definitely over the top, and you need to allow yourself the grief and rage. (Wish I were there with you in person--we'd have a good cry together, which would eventually turn into some shared laughs and a bit of tea and chocolate.)

Later, when you're good and ready, either go back after this same doctor (in person, asking to speak to their office manager), or find another one to try. If their office is this stick-in-the-mud and unhelpful, they're probably not right for you anyway.

Keep us posted and we'll at least talk you through it. You aren't alone, even if it feels that way.

Gentle hugs, prayers,
Binney