Wrapped today...quite a bit of pain tonight

Tamiami, being wrapped should never be painful. I've had a therapist wrap me with too much pressure and the pain was terrible. I took the wrap off.

A couple of things: there are studies that show that a lower pressure wrap is more effective than a high pressure one.

Pain is not good for lymphedema, as pain brings more lymph to the area.

After cellulitis, the international best practices guideline recommends a low pressure wrap--even during the infection--as tolerated.

And only wrapping from the shoulder to the elbow had the unfortunate problem of pushing lymphedema into the path of least resistance--the forearm and hand.

My LE is primarily in my hand, and I had a PT devise a hand to elbow wrap for me, and it worked for a bit, and then I got a pocket above my elbow....lymph fluid will go to a non-compressed area.

So, can you give her a call? Especially with your cellulitis, you sure don't want pain, and you don't want to chafe or break the skin under the wrap. And re-consider the partial arm wrap--especially if you find new swelling lower down on the arm.

Wrapping works due to graduated pressure: more at the hand, and less at the upper arm. A wrap from shoulder to elbow leaves the forearm and hand with no compression. It's worrisome to me.

Kira

Tami, I think some of the girls here have got queasy with MLD and also wraps. We will have to see if anyone comments. I haven't heard of  vomiting though.  

I am also concerned about fluid pushing to your unwrapped part of arm. I don't like the idea at all.

Check with your LEist about wearing a sleeve before you go ahead. The thing about trying to wear a sleeve and glove to work is that you need to build up your time wearing it or you will just want to rip it off due to possible pain, etc.  You need a perfect fit or you will get binding at the  inner elbow or slipping down, or choak your upper arm or a too tight/loose wrist. For gloves you may end up rubbing your finger webs with a bad fit glove. Ouch.

You should only wear it for a hour or two at a time and build up gradually so I wouldn't do a whole day at work. For binding at the elbow you can put some cornstartch in a  toe of a nylon and pat your inner elbow or use the antichafing product runners use. I think it is called GLIDE. You can get it a a runner store. This lessens friction.

Anyone that goes thru the monster Cellulitis deserves chocolate...so go for it! 

Stick with us, we have some pretty smart gals here.

No wrapping here, as my LE has always been mild, but I do take ginger capsules for sea sickness.  It works well for nausea, and I wonder if anyone here who did experience wrapping-related nausea has ever tried it?  And if any of our pharmacy experts might have a clue if there's any chance that concentrated ginger could interfere with antibiotics?  I think it's harmless, but I'm assuming that without really knowing.  When I sail, I swallow 8-12 capsules before starting, and then six or eight hours later if still on the boat. That's a lot of ginger! I've never had to use it while on any meds, so I want to suggest it but also ask for expert opinion on any safety precautions.

Kira, I think I'll plop a hunk of fresh ginger into the teapot where I brew my 4 cups of green tea! Not so sure of the flavor combo, but the anti-inflammatory cocktail aspect could be very, very good!