How Often Do You See Therapist?

Options
cherie62
cherie62 Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

I am changing therapists because mine is moving away. When I went to the new one, she said I didn't need to see her unless I had a flare-up. I saw the old therapist about 5 or 6 times a year to get MLD and have my arm evaluated and measured. What have others here been doing? Do you only see your lymphedema therapist when you have a flare-up? 

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • cinnamonsmiles
    cinnamonsmiles Member Posts: 779
    edited April 2013

    I have mild LE. The last therapist I saw, said I only needed to see her if I had a flare up. For my LE, I really don't see a need to see  her more.  I learned a lot of good information from the ladies on bc.org on what to do at home to help control the LE.

    I get new sleeves twice a year. I get measured each time to make sure that I am getting the right sleeve size. EDITED TO ADD: I don't get my measurements for LE garments because I don't buy them from the medical clinic.I get measured and buy my sleeves from the Mastectomy Boutique in the area. They give a discount for self pay with no insurance coverage.There is also a fund set up by women in the area to help those who are not insured get more help for people who had a mastectomy. LE garments for me are qualified because I had a BMX>

    There are some VERY knowledgeable women on here that I am sure will give you more info on it that know A LOT more than me.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cherie62
    cherie62 Member Posts: 2
    edited April 2013

    Mine is mild, too. I've only had a few flare-ups since 2007 (my surgery). I guess I am used to how the other LE therapist did things, and am a bit scared to do it this new way. If I have a flare-up, I will be seen and the new therapist said to call her if I have questions. So it's not like I'm being dismissed. I do the manual lymph drainage at home now. Before, the therapist did it when I saw her. I hope it works out.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • GottaloveNED
    GottaloveNED Member Posts: 211
    edited April 2013

    My insurance won't cover the therapist unless I am medically diagnosed as needing therapy. In other words, I have to have a measurable LE flare or new incidence and then when my treatment plan with her is over ( under control) she has to dismiss me to self -management. I don't even get a yearly " check up" with her.... On the other hand, they do cover garments once my deductible is met, so it's a trade off. I have made it work by occasionally going in for an evaluation appt. The therapist "decides" I don't need treatment, but there is a record of my measurements and I get to consult with her over fit of garments, bandaging questions, etc.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NatsFan
    NatsFan Member Posts: 3,745
    edited April 2013

    Gottalove - I'm in the same position as you - my insurance will not cover any sort of maintenance therapy - there has to be some sort of acute need and the therapy must be designed to result in improvement and once it's under control I'm outta there.  Because my truncal tends to flare and sometimes I can't get it back under control, I usually end up there every 6 months or so anyway. 

    It's crazy - I usually end up with a few dozen sessions annually the way it is now because of the truncal flares.  If only they'd cover a monthly maintenance visit, my guess is that I could keep things under control - overall they'd only pay for 12 visits annually instead of paying for twice as many annually under this system. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NickyJ
    NickyJ Member Posts: 722
    edited April 2013

    I'm in a very different system. My LE started in November last year, and for the first 3 months I saw the pt 3 times a week for massage. Since February I've seen her twice a week and will do for the foreseeable. It's all covered by social security so I'm very lucky

    Nicky

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited April 2013

    I see my CLET when I need to.  I usually talk to him more often than seeing him.  But anytime I'm up at Ft Meade (SD) VA, I always stop by and see if he is busy and have a chat with him if he isn't - now usually about fly fishing (he's been a fly fisher for many years and it's my new passion).  When it's time to order new sleeves and gloves - I call him now that we finally have the custom glove right for my 'crazy webbed' hand.  Talked with him a bit today as my arm portion of Flexi-Touch garments had a 'blow-out between sections so had to have a PO sent for a new one.

    But I'm in a bit of a different situtation than most as my care is through VA - Thaankfully!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited April 2013

    Mine is mild, but I like to go app once a month, for different things.

    The last time I went, she tried kinesio tape.  The time before, she measured me for a sleeve because I did not like my original fitters measuring .

      The next time, I will go and have her measure for comparison purposes since she has me wearing my sleeve less. Any time I go, she will do a long session of MLD which always provides significant decrease in swelling.  At this juncture, I would never go to a LEist without insisiting on some MLD ( unless infection) while I was there. I personally still want to be followed monthly ( would go more often if I had a  flare ) .  I have not been thru a summer with this yet, so that may prove interesting. Wink

    Perhaps with time that will change. I think we are all different, and I like seeing the different answers.  Thanks for posting this thread.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
    edited April 2013

    My pet peeve is that no maintenance visits are covered, like others here, and when I do need to be seen because of a change in symptoms, I am required to schedule an evaluation appointment before any treatment. The evaluation appointment is costlier than 'treatment' appointments, and no actual therapy is permitted. Well, it does not take an hour to take measures or to go over the now-predictable interview questions, so both time and money are a huge waste and I end up feeling like I've just had an hour of talk therapy.  Not what's needed at all!  We're on a very high deductible plan, so I pay for these visits 100% and now I totally ration my own healthcare, and the lame LE visits are the first to go.

    My therapist does not answer email or calls except after a few weeks, if at all.  When I've needed help she's been pretty good on teaching me MLD and some good self-care strategies, but generally I've been dissatisfied. I'm incredibly lucky that my LE is very mild and easily controlled.  But I do know that if I ever have a serious, blow-out flare, I'll be securing a referral to another therapist 90 minutes away, someone I met through my LE volunteer work in the region and who is both LANA certified and struck me as being very, very knowledgeable. 

    Between crappy insurance coverage and slim pickins on truly qualified therapists, it's no wonder we see such a common refrain of frustration here.  Kicks, you are so fortunate, and you've written about terrific support from the VA before, which warms my heart, because vets should receive the very best care.  Now if they could just pass some of that commitment to your LE care around to the rest of our therapists...!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited April 2013

    carol: I do know that I am so fortunate to have my 'people'  in our  local VA hospital (35 miles away for some 'stuff - my LE Guy) for one and within  probably 10 miles (we live a bit iin the 'boonies') or less to my PA in the local clinic.  Ft. Meade is a small facility as VA facilities go. 

    Without SCD's (Service Connected Diasbilty) there is a co-pay but it's not bad at all - much less than I hear is paid when you are paying for ins. and have to get approval all the time.  Hubby is retired USN ( I was Army - Daddy and FIL were retire USAF and MIL was USAF)  and he has disabilities.   His care related to his SCDs is totally covered by VA.  If he 'decides' to do something 'tupid (he's good at that - LOL) - then he has to pay the same co-pay for the non-SCD that I have to.  

    I can only speak to my experiences - mine and Hubby's and what I can remember of the care Daddy and FIL gott and for all of us VA has been fantastic.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited April 2013

    I see my therapist every 3 weeks.  Had major flare up...going up and down now. My insurance will pay for 20 visits per year if I have a script from my Oncologist.  My Oncologist is pro lymphedema treatment, so I have not had any trouble.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited April 2013

    I have 2 area places within 5 mins from me. Went to both, and both ' therapists' were terrible, and did not do MLD on me at all- gave me  handout. (Period)

    I pay out of pocket for the girl I see  now, and am darn luckly to have her.  She is on her own- in her own house.

    Unfortunately, she travels the country ( Vodder instructor) so a major flare might not be handled  by her. If I had to choose one of those other 2 or me, I would go with me, as far as MLD goes.

    I MUST get more into the wrapping in case my LEist is away and anything should happen.

    This is why I feel like each visit  gives me soemthing new and makes it worth going.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories