Pump

I was told to only use my FlexiTouch once a day.  I do have to admit there have been a few times that I have used it twice in a day when I was 'a bad girl' and hadn't done all I should to keep under good control.  I have never done twice a day more than 2 days in a row amd that has only been a couple of times in several years.

Binney brought up a good point.  My arm has never been 'tired' after a session.  Check and be sure that the program is set correctly for you and the size of your garments.   After I lost weight and got my new smaller garments, my machine had to be reprogramed for them.  It was real easy with them talking me through it over the phone.

Call FlexiTouch and talk to them directly  They are very easy to talk to amd helpful.

i was told no more than an hour per day. be sure to always do your exercises and drainage too because the pump can cause the proteins to stay in your arm and it will harden!!

mcgis - I was told to only run my FlexiTouch for one cycle a day which is programed to run for an hour.  But was told that IF I was having issues, it was fine to run it twice a day for a day or 2.  Running it for less than hour, as mine is programed, would cut out a lot of the massage pattern which is designed to mimic hands on MLD.  I very seldom (if ever) do MLD myself - my FlexiTouch does a much better 'job' of MLD than I can do.  That's why I got it.  I've been using mine for over 3 yrs, basically exclusively, and have no issues with 'hardened' tissue in my arm.  It mechanically simulates MLD (at least as my CLET guy does it and taught me ) in that it starts with draining the nodes in the upper leg/lower body first then moves to the upper body over shoulder and down arm to clear nodes in the sections for the first 1/2 hour.  The next 1/2 hour, is a continual movement from the hand to leg over and over again.  So for it to 'work' - the entire program needs to be run, not just part of it.

Not all different MLD machines are equal.  I only know what a 'living saver' my FlexiTouch is for me.

Barb, don't freak! But it's always a good idea to clear the nodes in your neck and groin before using the Flexi. That allows the nodes to receive the fluid that the pump moves toward them. The Flexi reps are not allowed to tell you that because it's medical advice that should come from your doctor or therapist. Ask your therapist about it so you know you're doing everything you can to make it the as effective as possible.

Was it your therapist who told you to use it so many times a day? I have pump garments for both right and left arms and my right leg, and I'm not even supposed to use more than one of them a day, so I have to rotate when I'm having a flare. 

Are you finding it relaxing? Helpful for the LE? Keep us posted on your progress!

Gentle hugs,
Binney

perhaps it's the pump and sleeve i have? i don't have the flexitouch.

it was my clt who told me.

mcgis, do you do a full self-mld every time you pump, or just clear nodes?

It's true that some pumps are better than others for imitating a full MLD routine, but none of them clear neck nodes, nor do any of them reach the deeper node areas. So depending on our individual needs we may have to do more or less self-MLD to make the pump session effective.

You're right about the protein potentially building up and causing fibrotic "rings" at the top of the sleeve area in certain kinds of pumps. The Flexi was designed to eliminate that problem, and the Biocompression pump followed suit with their design improvements. Definitely follow your LE therapist's instructions for whatever type of pump you're using.

Be well!
Binney

i have this Bio Compression Pump. i do the manual drainage every morning and every night.

I use my FlexiTouch for the one hour program daily, usually in the early evening. Tried an am/pm routine a few times but did not seem to provide additional benefit. My delivery rep discussed manual node clearing prior to machine use. Even my fingers are reduced in size!  

mcgis, how is it working for you? They've done a lot of improvements in recent years as new ideas about compression pumps have appeared, so they're a respected brand. It sounds like it's doing what you need, and that you're working with it to stay on top of the LE, and that's what matters.
Binney

Hi everyone: I'm new to forums. Was your FlexiTouch pump covered by medicare or other insurance?

Mcgis' long slow walk sounds nice - while it is sunny here in the upper Midwest, the air temperature is still below freezing so my exercise is still mostly indoors. 

When on a stroll, I will often keep my LE arm elevated by grabbing the top of the opposite shoulder or the middle of my collar in an effort to counteract gravity, even to the point of supporting the elbow with the "good" limb. Were you dangling your hand down at your side (or maybe carrying part of the rock collection)? Salt intake could also be a contributing factor but sometimes we just don't know what the trigger is & can't figure it out...

Hi sucansee: my pump was preapproved last fall although I believe the manufacturer is waiting for the insurance company to pay.