Questions about occupational therapy.

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paintThesky
paintThesky Member Posts: 56
edited November 2016 in Lymphedema

Hello. I am starting with a new Occupational therapist this week. We have had 2 sessions so far. My LE is in my trunk area from armpit to armpit. My first session with her she asked me a million questions, and did a few measurements. Our second session she handed me a booklet and taught me how to do mld. We had about 30 minutes together, and she was almost 45 minutes late seeing me. She acted like she didn't have room for me to even have therapy that day. She said in a huff that all the rooms were full. She never laid a hand on me. Now I am asking myself did I find the right therapist or not. As I recall the first time I went to therapy in 2004 I was measured the first time, and when I went back for the second session she got started on my therapy, and we were a few sessions into therapy when she taught me how to do it myself. I need to know what to expect with the first few sessions.I have questions like how long a therapy session should generally last, how long before I see some results, I know everyone is different. My personal goal is to not be in so much pain.

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  • wendymk2016
    wendymk2016 Member Posts: 63
    edited November 2016

    I am going to have my first appointment end of Nov. My surgery is on 11/3. Not sure if the time frame works fine or a little late to start..

    I will have two sessions each week.

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  • hugz4u
    hugz4u Member Posts: 2,781
    edited November 2016

    painthesky Run from this therapist. I have a bad feeling about herShe should measure you then treat your LE. Your session should be at least 45 min to drain your stagnant lymph fluid. Just showing you how to do mld is not good enough. Google StepUp-SpeakOut.org to find a qualified therapist in your area. If they have only taken a weekend course and are practising then run for the hills! You really need to be trained properly to do this special therapy.

    Wendy it's always ideal to get premeasured before your surgery by a qualified LE therapist to have baseline measurements. See above post

    I have well managed LE and I see a therapist once a month for a tuneup because I don't like doing daily self mld and she moves my stagnant fluid out. This works for my unique body. I do other things daily like exercise. Deep breathing.compression garments and watch my arm for any scratches and put antibiotic cream on if so. I also stick my arm straight up in the air and pump slowly 25 times to nudge fluid up and out daily. Always wear a glove or gauntlet with your sleeve so you don't get fluid pushed into hand. Custom compression garments are the best but most expensive.

    See my post on tai chi breathe

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  • paintThesky
    paintThesky Member Posts: 56
    edited November 2016

    She said during the third session, she'd actually do therapy, but I don't have a good feeling about this place. I may or may not go today, I'm not sure.

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  • paintThesky
    paintThesky Member Posts: 56
    edited November 2016

    For this third session she was on time with her schedule. We did about 20-25 minutes of actual therapy. She definitely doesn't take the time my previous therapist took. She showed me a catalog of garments we might look into. It looks like if I try to find a better therapist, I'll have to drive at least 45 minutes to an hour one way. We live in a rural area, I knew all along it was going to be a battle to find a good place to go for therapy. I believe she may be able to help me to some degree, but she doesn't seem to have the knowledge of Truncal LE. Right now I'm in so much pain, that I believe I'll continue to go for a while.

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited November 2016

    PainttheSky,

    Your call, but an hour's drive to a truly knowledgeable therapist is worth twelve 5-minute drives to this one. Take the time and effort to treat yourself to really good care--you're worth it!

    Gentle hugs,
    Binney

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  • paintThesky
    paintThesky Member Posts: 56
    edited November 2016

    Thanks Binney!

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  • tsoebbin
    tsoebbin Member Posts: 474
    edited November 2016

    You are worth the drive! I promise!💞

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  • paintThesky
    paintThesky Member Posts: 56
    edited November 2016

    I think I may have found a qualified therapist. Hopefully she takes my insurance. She recommends I get a new work-up by their oncologist. I hadn't been to one in about 5 years. She says he is very thorough, and her own mom goes to him. This therapist is only a LE therapist and is LANA certified, and she has 20 years experience. I found her through the step-up web-site. She actually returned my call on a Sunday evening. I was impressed she'd take her personal time to return phone calls. Hopefully I'll get the help I need. And the drive is only around half hour. They are associated with a cancer clinic near Charlotte.

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited November 2016

    paintThesky, that is really great news. This one sounds both thorough (asking for an onc eval) and committed. A really good therapist is a treasure. Hoping they take your insurance. Please let us know how it goes!

    Hugs, and a celebration!
    Binney

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  • paintThesky
    paintThesky Member Posts: 56
    edited November 2016

    Thanks Binney! My problem is unique, and I had all but lost hope of getting help.

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  • hugz4u
    hugz4u Member Posts: 2,781
    edited November 2016

    Paintsky.This new girl sounds promising and I love that she is not far away. I hope you check in with us to let us know what's happening.

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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited November 2016

    YAY for new therapist!! Keep us posted!!

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