? for those using a compression pump

  I have a Flexi pump and I was never happy with it.  I am a small built person(5'4" 120-130 lbs) and the garments that came with the pump seemed to be for larger framed people.  Therefore, the garments never did fit right and I ended up w/ more swelling in certain places than I did before I used the pump!  Everyone is different and as we all know, what works for one doesn't always work for the other.  I know of people that the Flexi works well for.

Also, I am a very active person and had a hard time finding time in my day to use the pump.  It is time consuming in my opinion.  Now that I've had DIEP reconstruction, use of a pump is a big No-No!

So, mine sits in the storage room upstairs!  MLD works best for me!  Good luck with your decision!

Katiejane

Katie - I've had a DIEP and try to use my Flexitouch at least once a week.  Neither my ps nor my LET ever expressed any concern about it, so I'm curious why you said it's a no-no with a DIEP. I'm 5'2" and 145 pounds and haven't had any trouble with the fit, so maybe you didn't get a good fit.  Also being an active person, I found the best time to use the Flexitouch at night when I go to bed - the rhythmic sound and feel are soothing, and I usually doze off during the cycle, and will wake up after it's finished.  It's an easy matter to take off the stuff and I go right back to sleep. 

As for Flexitouch v. LymphaPress, my LET was adamant that the Flexitouch in her opinion was better for truncal LE.  

I have Stage I LE right arm and right upper quadrant truncal.  My right arm is well controlled.  The truncal flares despite my best efforts (daily MLD and Lebeds, wearing Underarmor compression when gardening or doing other work like that, etc.).  My affected areas tend to be the upper back around the shoulder blade area and my ab above my DIEP scar. 

How does the Flexitouch help?  I notice it more when I don't use it.  When I don't use my Flexitouch for a few weeks, it seems that my other efforts don't control the truncal as well.  So I've tried to get in the habit of using it at least once a week as a management/control measure.  It is pricey - insurance covered most of the $9K cost, but I still had to pay $1100 out of pocket.  I really didn't want to spend that kind of money, especially since I had a great LET that I saw periodically to help move the truncal fluid out when I flared, so I didn't move forward for a long time.  I decided to go through with it when my LET said she was moving away - it's been so hard to find a good LET and I wanted to have all the self-management tools I could get in case I can't find another LET as good as she was.   If I still had my good LET around, I might not have gotten the Flexitouch, but since I worry I might be left on my own for an unknown amount of time without a good LET, I decided to bite the bullet, put off spending on something else, and get it.

I have no idea if you can use it too much, so I can't help you there.  I also don't remember what the return policy was - maybe you could try it for a month or so and see if it helps and if not you could return it.  I don't know whether that's even a possibility or not, but it might be worth asking.   

  I will be honest, I'm not sure why Dr. M. doesn't want her pt's to use their pumps after reconstruction.  I didn't think to ask as I have not used mine for 3 years-it's printed in her discharge orders.  I know she is a lymph thearpist and believes in MLD. Just guessing here but probably a matter of control of pressure applied by the pump. With MLD is is very light-the pump feels like a heavier touch-like I said just a guess.   Katiejane

Nats - thank you!!!  Your description is very helpful. How long have you had your flexi?



 My arm is also well controlled -- which is to say, however funky it feels, it always measures about the same.  Trunk is gradually worse (more edematous areas, spongier / thicker tissue texture,
more overall discomfort, more frequent "bad days" as time (4 yrs) goes on. 



The few things I count on to help (swimming mostly, homemade compression shirt, arm bandage w many extra layers), help less and for shorter durations.  Most alarming, truncal LE progression, though gradual, is accelerating. I also notice as trunk gets worse, arm needs higher compression to feel comfortable. 



I feel better when I have a few LET-MLD sessions. It's subtle. I wonder if flexi would provide a similar lymphatic "boost" -- and if it would be enough to keep truncal LE from progressing further or as fast.



Binney - what exactly is node clearing?  Do you mean neck/ axi/ inguinal  strokes? Or something else? 



Kicks- is your LE arm and trunk?  And how long have you had your flexi? How does it help you?



Anyone ever use or hear of sleeves sleeve & vest from Bio Compression Systems?