Flexitouch pump

for my BC sisters who are concerned about Lymphedema,

I have neither direct nor indirect interest in Tactile Medical systems who sells the equipment first of all.

Here are Pros.

1. For me doing manual drainage on my side was hard unless DH does it for me. I did not want to trouble him on top of everything else.

2. I use the machine daily usually right before I go to sleep. Best Massage ever. Combined w compression sleeve wear avg 8 hrs a day, my PT thinks my ALND arm may be smaller than SNB arm.

3. Depends on you health insurance, co pay may be minimal. Mine was zero. There is some chance I can get my SNB arm sleeve. I love it so much I am willing to pay up to $1,000.00

The cons are,

1. It is bulky.

2. Getting in and out of needs some practice. After about three tries, it takes me about 1 min which includes adjusting light and finding TV channel i like during treatments

Kicks,

I had two day long treatment at hospital consists of scans and port removal. All came out good. (I thought I could run home 110 mjles from the excitement)

Have not beeen able to use flexitouch pump. Was surprised that Docs and PAs did not know about the machine. (Moffitt)

Was told wait till tonight and i am antsy. About five or six hrs till I can get in.

Question for you is my right chest wall is to be radiated. 6 wks. Any suggesstions how i can use the machine? I will show RO the video when I ask.

Thank you again.

Mimi

Rebamacfan - Sorry I missed your question - wasn't ignoring just missed seeing it.

I did not have my FlexiTouch when I did my 25 days of rads. I was already dealing,with LE though. Mine started 9 weeks post UMX (3 post surgery and 6 weeks into 12 weekly Taxol) so I didn't yet have my FlexiTouch during rads but was dealing with LE in elbow area. Talk to your Rads Dr but to me (non-professioal medical person) it would seem logical that ,unless issues develope, FlexiTouch could be used as it is is systematic massage done gently by consistantly by a machine instead of your hands. You might also want to call FlexiTouch and talk with one of their Staff with your questions/concerns. I've called them a couple of times and got good answers to my question(s) by very polite, courteous and apparently knowledgeable Staff.

(Hint - I always have a light cotton (or mostly cotton) long sleeved T- shirt on when I use mine. Even in cooler weather (or with a 'cranked up' A/C), I tend to 'get damp' (read sweat) some and without the long sleeved T-shirt on, the garment sections, arm especially, tend to get a bit 'sticky' when removing. Also the garment sections can not be washed so a long sleeve T-shirt on under allows to easily wash what is actually touching your skin.)

I had the demo. It’s huge and I don’t know where I’ll store it, but it was awesome and I can’t wait to get it

I just got my flexitouch, and wow. I went ahead and quickly set it up. I still haven't received a call from the trainer for the company but I watched the YouTube videos. I feel like I didn't have the chest piece on absolutely correctly but oh, that was the best massage I've ever had!I am trying to figure out where to store it because it's so bulky, and I'm trying to figure out how to travel with it when I fly to California this summer. I will take all suggestions and hints that you guys have.

I was told it travels for free!

I I have a pretty good sized bruise on my lymphedema arm. Can I still use the flexitouch? Or should I wait until the bruise is gone?the bruise appeared yesterday, I think I did it when I was removing the flexitouch sleeve the night before.

ML1209, my sleeve does fit snuggly under my arm. When you put it on, pull it up, put your non LE hand in the pocket, lift the arm in the sleeve to a 45 degree angle from your body, and pull it on snuggly with your hand that's in the pocket. Then make sure the padding is all tucked in under your arm. BTW, I did not use the flexitouch until the bruise faded.

Ok, I just flew with American Airlines w my flexitouch in my carry-on and it was easy except for hauling it through the airports. I asked for help at the desk and they got me a wheelchair and pushed me around the airport. Not gonna lie, it was embarrassing, but saved me from further injury or flare up. The TSA officials tested the electronic unit for explosives, but truly no big deal. Flexitouch users, travel on!

cowgal,

I have the flexi-touch with arm and torso garments and they both adjust with Velcro so you should have no problems getting a snug fit as you slim down. They are a bulky material and not that form-fitting but it’s still effective.

Thank you Momchichi and Wised for the information!