Anyone try Jobst's "soft seamless" custom gloves?
My therapist just fitted me for a custom Elvarex glove (20-25 mm Hg). I had a custom seamed elvarex glove early on, and I didn't like the fabric as much as the custom juzo I later got, but my therapist doesn't think the juzo is as effective as the elvarex .
Looking over her shoulder, I noticed that the jobst order form now has two options -- the regular seamed one and a new one they call "Soft, seamless."
http://www.jobst-usa.com/img/ejbfile/Elvarex Glove.pdf?id=15579
The idea of a soft, SEAMLESS glove sounds like heaven!
My therapist says that even though both types of jobst gloves are officially 20-25 mmHg, she is concerned the softer fabric won't control the swelling as well the classic seamed fabric. However, she says she hasn't had experience with jobst's seamless soft gloves.
She's putting the order in the evening so I need to decide fast!
-- KS1
Comments
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KS1--I have the soft seamed gloves but was my therapist moved me to a gauntlet most of the time. The first gauntlet I got had seams down both sides, The last one I got does not have a seam on the outside of the hand just the inside. It is much tighter than the one with two seams. I don't know if this is considered "seamless" or not. This probably isn't helping you but just maybe.
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KS, how interesting! I haven't seen them, but both the "soft" and the "seamless" would seem to me to indicate less containment even with the same compression class. So if you need the firmer containment I'd guess the new one wouldn't get it for you.
On the other hand (pun alert!
), it sounds like a lovely possibility for someone who's compression sensitive. Still, it's "all in a name," and who knows what the Jobst marketing folks were thinking when they called it that?
Your therapist can call them and ask for fabric samples, and they should be able to get them to her pronto.Do let us know what you discover!
Binney -
The therapist talked to another therapist who knows me and has felt the fabric. The other therapist said that the fabric wasn't so much lighter as to be a deal breaker for me. I figure it is worth trying the seamless soft Elvarex because the fabric of the older elvarex bothered my skin.
I feel like Goldilocks -- I've had 7 gloves (custom juzo, custom mediven, custom barton-carrow, custom "old" elvarex, off-the-shelf farrow, off-the-shelf medi 95), but have yet to find a day glove that contains the swelling, but is kind to my skin, neuropathy & blood flow issues. Maybe the seamless Elvarex glove will be "just right."
Anyways, I'm getting the seamless, soft Elvarex. I will definitely report back to the board my impressions of it. - KS1
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KS1--I'm typing in my new Juzo custom gloves: second try, think they got it right this time.(They feel tighter than the old ones, but when I laid them on top of them, they're the same size: go figure, old gloves get stretched out...)
When the fitter first met me, she actually came to my house, and she told me that typically LE patients fill up the table with their gear: much of it "failed"
Since I haven't found a night time garment, yet, that works well for me--I have a closet full of them. That's a very expensive closet.
Well goldilocks, I hope this one is just right!
Kira
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Poking around the web, I found a comparison of the "old" Elvarex and the new Elvarex soft. It does sound like the Elvarex soft may be more appropriate for milder LE, Another notable difference is the old Elvarex has latex, and the soft Elvarex doesn't
Jobst Elvarex – Flat knit, designed for lymphedema, contains LATEX:Jobst Elvarex helps maintain the reduced volume and shape of the limb. These garments help to inhibit further fluid accumulation and help to assure therapeutic results achieved by compression. Elvarex compression garments are indicated when decongestion is achieved so the garment helps prevent an increase in the extremity dimensions.Jobst Elvarex Soft – softer version of Elvarex, latex free:The new Jobst Elvarex Soft custom-made is a flat-knit compression garment uniquely designed for added comfort and ease of donning. Jobst Elvarex Soft is a new softer textile for the management of mild to moderate edema. The stockings have been designed to apply a moderate compression while making it easy to put on and take off.• Soft surface that is extremely comfortable to wear
• New knitting construction and softer yarn provides easy donning
• Comfortable edging seam provides the required stability and durability of the fabric edge• Latex free aids in protection against skin irritation
--
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Question here, since I am new to custom garments, and have not received mine yet. I fear all these issues with fit. My therapist wanted me in a flat weave fabric vs spiral weave, and we ordered a sleeve and glove made of Elvarex. She had asked if I had latex allergy and I said no. Anyway, those are already in the works. I plan to get a second set once I'm sure the first one fits correctly. Does this new Elvarex fabric apply to sleeves as well as gloves? And, is Elvarex a trade name for the flat weave fabric that Jobst uses? Or do other garment manufacfurers use Elvarex?
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Hi Tina,
Elvarex is a Jobst brandname. I don't know if the new fabric is available for sleeves. Here's the URL for Jobst's product line:
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I just ordered a sleeve and a seamless guantlet from lymphedivas.com. They offer many different colored and patterned sleeves at competitive prices. I have not received mine yet but am excited about something other than flesh color!
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I have elvarex (not the soft) and it's not terribly uncomfortable and works for me. Since most of the "regulars" seem to be on this thread, have any of you heard anything about the Solaris tribute daywear? Have they started the testing yet?? I'm always on the lookout for something better and I LOVE working with Solaris. I've had nothing but good experiences with their customer service. When you're dealing with custom garments, that's important.
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It's still in the very early stages: they're working on the fabric and the weave and some new approaches to the Tribute. I got a preview at a recent meeting.
Kira
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Re Solaris daywear--my fitter called last week and I asked her if she had heard anything from Solaris since I sent her the info from here a while back. Solaris is a local company, and she said she participated in a focus group a little while back. She said they were overwhelmed with responses for the trial and made it sound like it had already happened and I wasn't selected, but I had a sneaking suspicion that was because she wanted me to come in for fitting on a new sleeve/glove and not count on/wait for the Solaris trial.
Guess I'm due for new garments since It's coming up on 6 months, but after all the hassle the first time around, I need to psych myself up to approach the whole thing again and decided to put it off until after my April vacation. With very high deductible insurance, I can't afford to get it wrong and will be investigating the options here (and probably asking lots of questions one of these days). So confused about all the different types out there...and in the meantime, I'm going to get a tattoo sleeve cover to wear on vacation (on days when I'm bold enough!).
Garnet
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Thank you, KS.
I had written to Solaris asking to be part of their national trial. As I recall, that isn't until summer. Haven't heard anything. -
I wear a custom Jobst seamless glove. However, I would not call it "soft." Does Jobst make two types of seamless gloves?
My first seamless glove was an experiment since Jobst only makes them in Class II (not sure if they also made/make higher classes) and I wear a a Class I. The seams on the regular Jobst really irritated my hand so the therapist suggested trying the seamless one.
I am now on my third or fourth seamless glove. Once the fingers are properly stretched-out, it is great. My lymphedema is intermittent so I only wear it as needed, but the seamless glove is much easier to put on and causes far less irritation than the seamed glove. While I would prefer lower compression for comfort, the extra compression on the top of my hand means that I do not have to add foam.
On the other hand, I have had to return the seamless gloves twice because they did not match the specifications. (Both were longer than requested.) Be sure to check the glove against the measurements on the order form and return it immediately if there is a descrepancy.
Good luck.
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Hi all,
I received my new custom Jobst seamless glove today, a mere 11 days after I was measured! After wrapping for 14 weeks, I can not tell you how ecstatic I am to just maybe have a garment that I can wear at least part of the day. Indeed, I was so excited to to get it, I went to the fedex delivery station 15 miles away rather than wait for redelivery tomorrow.
Here's my take on it: the fabric is definitely softer than the Elvarex, but not as soft as a juzo glove. It's got the ribs going down it, just like the regular elvarex, but they aren't as coarse. Although techinically it may be seamless, to my eyes it looks like it has seams. That said, the seams are much finer than on the classic elvarex. Critically, the seams are perfectly flat on the inside.
I wore the glove for about an hour, but a couple of my fingers turned funky colors and went numb, so I took it off. Similar to sushanna1's experience, the glove is reallly long. I see my therapist tomorrow and see what she says. I really hope that she doesn't just send it back because it would be much nicer to eat the seder meals wearing a glove than being bandaged. KS1
PS Chag Sameach to those who celebrate Passover !
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Well - my hope that a class 2 Jobst seamless/soft Elvarex would be THE solution to my hand LE has been dashed.
My LE therapist sent back the first Jobst soft seamless glove because it was trapping fluid in my fingers. For the re-do, she had them make the base of the fingers very generous. Alas, within a few hours, a large amount of fluid had collected at the base of my index finger, with a good deal of dorsal fluid accumulation as well. She thinks that, even in class 2, the soft fabric probably isn't enough to contain me, and that there something about the way the fingers join the body of the glove that is incompatible with my finger LE.
So, today, she ordered me 3 gloves:
1) a custom class 2 Jobst Elvarex classic to replace the class 2 Jobst soft/seamless. I hated the class 1 fabric because it was rough, so I am not looking forward to having to wear a class 2 version.
2) a custom class 2 Juzo helastic that ends at the wrist that I will wear with a class 1 juzo soft sleeve
3) a custom class 1 Juzo helastic that extends almost to the elbow (opera glove length) that I will wear without any sleeve.
t's been 16+ weeks since I started wrapping my hand 24/7, and it looks like I'll be wrapping 24/7 for at least a few more.
I hate that my LE has progressed to the point that I need a class 2 garment, but at this point, I would be happy to have any glove I could wear for even a few hours a day. .... KS1
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KS,
I am so sorry that it is taking so long to find a glove that works for you. Good luck and hang in there. It sounds as if your LE therapist is really on the ball.
Sue
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KS1, it must be so frustrating trying to find a glove that fits right and works well for your LE. I'm sorry the softer seamless fabric wasn't a good match for your needs. I know what you mean about the thickness of the Elvarex, and I could tell it was hotter than the off-shelf spiral knit Jobst sleeve. When the fit is right and glove/sleeve is comfortable to wear, I guess that trumps the downside of thickness and effort to don. (((((KS1)))) I hope the wrapping starts to bring down the swelling. You are so committed to and compliant with the process - I give you so much credit for sticking it out. The whole thing stinks!!!
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KS1--Hang in there. These are the garments we never wanted to wear. You've been such a trooper through this.
Personally, I have custom Juzo helastic that goes "opera length" up my arm. They work well for me.
But, you have a doggedly persistant hand, and I do wonder if the jovi day wear might be an alternative to explore.
You have great doctors and therapists, and you know we're cheering for you to get your hand in a decent place and let you travel again.
You handle this with such grace.
Kira
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Kira, can you educate me on the helasatic fabric, please? Is it cooler in heat than the Elvarex?
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Tina, Elvarex in some versions has latex in it, and I had one elvarex glove and found it very stiff. I do know that Jobst has different versions of elvarex, but I think the custom is still the stiff version with latex.
The helastic is a firm knit, but I find it soft and breathable.
I've found it comes down to fitter comfort with the company: like Jobst wouldn't redo the elvarex glove unless they made a mistake--they did--where Juzo has made me up to 5 gloves until we get it right. Honestly, I have a good fitter, who I've followed through job changes and maternity leave and I go with what she says, and show it to my LE therapist.
I've used medi 95 gloves as my off the shelf gloves, but lately haven't used them much.
I don't know if helastic is cooler, but I would imagine it is.
Binney knows a lot more about various fabrics.
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KS1--I do hope you and your therapist can find the right solution for your hand. It certainly is trial and error. Becky
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I don't want to discourage folks on the board about getting a glove that works. My situation is complicated by the fact that, in addition to my LE, I have vascular issues & neuropathy (weakness, parathesias) in my hand. The LE likes more compression, and the vascular & neuropathy likes less compression, and its a tricky tradeoff.
Here's my impression of the 3 fabrics:
1) Custom Elvarex classic, class 1: contains latex, which my therapist says makes it really good for containing swelling for people who reswell quickly or have stubborn LE. I wore the class 1 for about 6 months. The fabric is really coarse and stiff, and it pills and stains terribly. I am not allergic to latex, but after 6 months, my skin was pretty raw looking. I have never worn a class 2 elvarex classic, but I felt it at the clinic yesterday. It feels like chainmail.
2) Custom Elvarex soft, seamless, class 2. Doesn't contain latex. In my brief use of it, it seemed softer and stretchier than the elvarex classic class 1. The fingers of the elvarex soft seem to be knit looser than the body of the glove, and I can't help but wonder if the compression is less in the fingers than in the body. Compared to the Juzo helastic class 1, the elvarex soft seems to have a coarser knit and to be stretchier.
3) Custom Juzo helastic class 1: The fabric is a softer, tighter knit than either the elvarex classic class 1 or the elvarex soft class 2. The helastic fabric doesn't pill or stain nearly as much as the elvarex classic fabric. (Didn't have the elvarex soft long enough to know how much it stains or pills).
KS1
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Hi KS1-
I hope you have finally found something that works for you. It sounds like I have a similar stubborn hand... My right hand which is especially unfortunate since it's my dominant. I'm seeing my LE therapist tomorrow to talk about glove options again. The off-the-shelf medi class II ive been using is not restrictive enough and I'm seeing swelling when I wear it. I think the opera length would be a great fit for me, and Juzo is more forgiving with all this trial and error. Do you know what the model name is of the custom Juzo you tried out? And how did it all turn out? My hand just started having these persistent flare ups recently, so I'm still trying to find something that contains it.
So far I've gone from a Juzo class 2 gauntlet w/ no fingers to a class 2 Medi with finger stubs. I use a class I juzo sleeve, but nit much anymore because it's all in my hand. Last week I ordered a flat knit Juzo glove, which should be more restrictive than the Medi I'm using now. I'm also trying a Jovi pak nighttime oven mitt looking sleeve that comes up to my elbow. Tonight is 2nd night for that one; seems to do a decent job. Wrapping is something I'm becoming increasingly familiar with so I'm looking forward to finding a glove that works.
Thanks so much,
Mih656s -
Dear mih656s,
I am so sorry to hear that you are having trouble with your hand. I wrapped my hand round the clock for about 8 months. I slowly made the transition to wearing a day garments (with dorsal pads) part of the day. It's now been a year, and my hand has definitely improved: most days I can wear day garments without dorsal pads for 10-12 hours/day, and wear a Tribute night garment with a gauze-wrapped hand for the other hours.
I never found the "perfect" glove, but rather found different garments that work for different activities. For "heavy" activities when my hand is dependent a lot (e.g., walking), I wear a class 1 juzo custom soft sleeve with a custom class 2 expert silver glove (model 3022SV). The glove does a good job containing the swelling in my hand, but the class 2 glove is stiff enough and my hand weak enough that I can't write or hold utensils. Here's the URL for the expert silver glove:
For "light" activities or when I want to maximize manual dexterity, I wear the class 1 juzo soft sleeve with a custom class 1 Juzo expert glove (model 3021). I don't have the cool vent option. Here's the URL:
I also wear an all-in-one silver expert class 1 Juzo glove/sleeve that goes up to the axilla. I like it because it is cooler than the regular expert fabric, and there isn't double compression at the wrist. That said, I don't think the class 1 silver expert is as compressive as the regular class 1 expert. Also, the silver fingers stretch out more quickly over the course of the day than the regular expert fingers, and it is more expensive (the sleeve/glove combo was a shocking $960). (A warning to those who have shoulder/hand/arm weakness ... glove/sleeve combos are hard to get on).
I can't compare the custom Juzo gloves with the Medi class 2 because I have only tried the Medi95 non-custom glove. I can say that Juzo has been absolutely terrific about remaking gloves for me. I was willing to accept the fit on 2 of the Juzo silver gloves, but my therapist wanted a few tweaks so she sent them back. Juzo remade the gloves from scratch, without any questions.
Good luck !
KS1
PS I do have an opera length glove in class 1 Juzo silver. It's much easier to get on than the axilla length glove/sleeve, no irritation at the elbow or at the axilla, but I find that I don't wear it that much. Even though I have very minimal swelling above the elbow, even on very low activity days, my hand does better when I wear a sleeve with a glove (or just wrap my hand in gauze).
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Two more things ... the Juzo silver expert glove is a weird sort of gray/silver/brown color. (My kids say it looks like chain mail.) Also, one of the keys for controlling my finger swelling is having the fingers long enough (mine half cover my fingernails). KS1
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