anyone have a used lymphedema sleeve/pump for sale?

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LBH
LBH Member Posts: 2
edited March 2015 in Lymphedema

I am a 3-time BC survivor (1989, 1994, and 2002)... have had the gamut of surgeries, reconstructions,

chemo, radiation, lumpectomy, etc.  A couple years after my first dx, I got lymphedema in my right arm.

It's not severe and I have learned to live with/around it for the past 23 or so years.   I know that we're

all different and what works for one lady may not work for another. For me, I know that there are 4

things which will cause my "popeye arm" to flare up:  (1) flying; (2) being in a hot/humid climate,

(3) physically overworking my arm; or (4) major stress.   I currently have my LE-trained massage

therapist do MLD on my arm {which is heavenly}.  But, even MORE heavenly is when I was able

to use the gradient lymphedema pump/sleeve. {That was back when I had decent health insurance coverage and they'd cover the Physical Therapy/MLD appointments; the PT nurse would hook me

up to the pump at the end of our session.  Oh, Lord, it was wonderful.} 

I dont need anything for my chest, back, shoulders, etc. I've found a few on E-Bay but they're still very expensive.  I have really crappy insurance right now, so it's highly unlikely that they will be of any help.  I keep dreaming about how fabulous it would be to have a lymphedema pump running while I'm cozy on the couch watching THE VOICE !!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2015

    Dear LBH, welcome to BCO where you will find a wealth of knowledge and experience.

    You may find help on the LE hub topic of ALL THINGS Gloves and sleeves .

    We are sorry you have had three rounds of BC and LE too. We wish you the best finding a cost effective sleeve pump.

    The Mods

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited March 2015

    Not sure if you are asking about an MLD (Manual Lymphatic Drainage) machine or compression sleeves? Do you do MLD yourself as you only mention a massage therapist doing MLD on arm only? No massage to body to encourage nodes to empty before the fluid is massaged to them from arm?

    Buying something 'medical' used is not a good idea. You have no idea the condition it really is in or how it has been maintained. Will it still work completely as designed? With MLD machines, no matter the brand, there is the issue of the size of the garment portions also. There is no "One Size Fits All". Mine are Small as I am about 125 lbs so they would not be able to used by someone 200 lbs. Just as garments that fit someone 200 lbs could not be used by me because they would not snug down to my size. The garments also do last as long as the machine does - my FlexiTouch is 4+ yrs old and still works great, however my garments have been replaced a total of 5 times (2 arm, 2 chest, 1 lower body/upper leg) because of 'blow outs' between the sections. It takes an hour for my FlexiTouch to run the cycle and I use it daily. It starts with the upper leg/lower body first to drain the nodes in that area, then moves to chest/upper body and then 3 section of arm before it starts the next 1/2 hr of continually moving from fingers to lower level to move fluid to nodes ready to accept it.

    Buying second hand sleeves can also not a good idea. The compression abilities do not last a long time so IF being sold as 'used' there is no way to know rather or not they still have any compression left. Measurements and fit (compression levels too) are also issues - more so for some of us more than others. Some of us have to have custom because 'Off The Shelf' are not an option. It would be very unlikely that anyone could fit/use my day garments (sleeves/gloves) as I am 'weirdly built' but is what I need. VA gets me 2 new sets every 6 mths.

    What about night garments?


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  • Joyjoy21
    Joyjoy21 Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2015

    hi. I have a brand new never used lymphedema pump for sale. Please let me know if anyone is interested

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