Lymphedema pumps?

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DarleneJpn
DarleneJpn Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Anyone having problems with lymphedema? Does anyone have a lymphedema pump for home use? What brand? Did your insurance approve it? Darlene

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  • Laural136669
    Laural136669 Member Posts: 287
    edited January 2013

    I have lymphedema in my right arm and trunk. I went through PT for 8 months and wear a compression sleeve with gauntlet daily. I have an Optimal LymhaPress and use it daily first thing before putting on the glove. With these 2 routines, my lymphedema has stayed very mild. I did try no sleeve over the holiday break, but ended up with increased lympedema so back to both the pump and sleeve. My pump has a 60 minute cycle so I set it up at computer and eat breakfast and take care of email, etc. My insurance paid 80% as long as I stayed with an in-network company. For me it has been a worthwhile investment.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited January 2013

    I deal with right arm LE (elbow area and about 5" above and below is the worst area) and have been deqling with it for 3 yrs.

    My MLD (Manual Lymphatic Drainage) machine is a FlexiTouch.  Love it.  It's program runs for an hour and I use it daily.  It starts by masssging the upper leg/lower body then it moves up to the upper body/chest, then to the upper arm, then elbow, then lower arm and hand by the different sections.  It then reverses direction and moves continually from hand up over and down and immediately starts again.  I don't deal with insurance - my care is through VA so they order what I need for me.  I had to not use it for a few days until they could send me a new body section when 3 of the sections 'blew out' and it definately made a difference.

    I wear day garments every day.  For me, I need low compression as heavy compression makes it worse.  I also have a night sleeve that I wear every night.

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  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
    edited January 2013

    Darlene, pumps can be very helpful, and Laural and Kicks are two good examples of using them as part of lymphedema treatment. Be wary, however, of any lymphedema clinic, therapist, or any doctor who diagnoses lymphedema, gets you a pump, and sends you on your way.  Pumps should be used as part of a comprehensive lymphedema treatment regimen--and that can include intense treatment for a while, using special bandages that wrap your arm in a way that brings down swelling, combined with very frequent visits to a qualified LE therapist who performs manual lymphatic drainage on you (very gentle hand strokes in a prescribed sequence and direction to move the lymph fluid away from your swelling points and back to the venous system to exit the body).  

    After weeks of this intense therapy, you continue on your own, wrapping and/or wearing a compression sleeve and glove or gauntlet, and doing self-manual lymph drainage. A pump might well be prescribed as part of this comprehensive therapy, but it's never a stand-alone 'fix' for lymphedema.

    A great website to visit, with information about LE, its diagnosis, treatment, and some wonderful hints and tips--including how to find a qualified therapist- is www.stepup-speakout.org. 

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