some questions

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navy1305
navy1305 Member Posts: 34
edited June 2020 in Lymphedema

Hello friends,

I had a right mastectomy in Dec. 2016. At that time I was given 2 lymphedema sleeves and gloves without fingertips. But I never had a problem so I put them in my closet with the foob I never use. Anyways, I recently seem to have started to have some early signs in my upper right arm, so I talked to my oncologist and she told me to start wearing the sleeve to see if it helps.

I just wanted to know a few things:

1. Since I only have 2 pairs, I would assume I would wear one and wash it the next day while I wear the other one. Do you throw yours in a lingerie bag and put it in the washing machine or do you wash it by hand? What detergent do you use? I usually use All Free and Clear to wash my clothes. I am assuming I will just air dry them, but am kind of skeptical that they will completely dry in one day.

2. Given that I have 2 pairs that I will alternate between, approximately how long do you think they will last before needing to be replaced?

3. If the sleeve is doing its job, how would I know? Is there an obvious difference in how your arm feels?

Thank you!

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  • Castigame
    Castigame Member Posts: 752
    edited May 2020

    1.handwash is highly recommended. Any gentle type detergent is good such as woolite or even baby shampoo.


    2.if you wear daily you would feel at about 6months or when you feel fabric feels loose.

    You can also buy those sleeves directly from internet a lot cheaper. I wear sleeves with moderate design w insurance price is about 180 dollars per vs. 90 direct from those vendors. Buying from internet requires someone measuring your arm at three different places w tape measure.



    3. I feel that when I forget to wear it by swelling or when it rains due to barometric pressure change in the air.








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  • MsPrecious
    MsPrecious Member Posts: 59
    edited May 2020

    I have just 2 pairs too and I hand wash and line dry, it usually dries overnight in my bathroom.

    My prosthetics fitter said I should replace it every 6 months and that night time compression sleeves can be replaced every 12months. What I plan on doing is to be wearing the loose daytime sleeves as night time sleeves or simply buy regular armsleeves with less compression

    If you wear it religiously, the swelling should not progress

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  • navy1305
    navy1305 Member Posts: 34
    edited May 2020

    Thank you for the replies! I hand washed them in the sink and hung them to dry and they did dry in less than a day. I was worried it would take longer than that, but I guess I didn't have anything to worry about in that regard.

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  • MsPrecious
    MsPrecious Member Posts: 59
    edited May 2020

    Please I wear regular compression sleeves but for the summer, I'm thinking of buying juzo soft and get sleeves with pattern on them. I have read reviews from patterned juzo sleeves and I'm thinking that if I would be getting the same compression that I get with my regular juzo sleeves, maybe I need to but 30-40mmHg juzo soft (I wear 20-30mmHg of regular juzo sleeves). Please can anyone shed more light on this or any experience on this issue. I'm thinking of the memorial sales discount. Thank you.

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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited May 2020

    Dear Precious, please do not wear daytime sleeves at night, even if they are old and loose.

    To quote from www.stepup-speakup.org 'Because of the nature, fabric, and design of compression garments, they are not recommended for nighttime wear. Their efficiency in increasing lymph flow depends on the action of your muscles as you go about your daily activities. Sleeping in them reduces their efficiency and runs the risk of causing constrictions that can cause a worsening of lymphedema. Instead, wrap your hands and arms at night in layered short-stretch bandages, or order special night garments designed to help maintain fluid flow when you are inactive.' This is important so I am also sending you a private message!

    I don't know whether the Juzo sale is still on but I think you should order your usual level. You could call and talk with one of their customer service people regarding your concerns.

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  • MsPrecious
    MsPrecious Member Posts: 59
    edited June 2020

    vlnrph,

    Thank you so much. I stopped wearing daytime garments as soon as I saw your message. I'll call the company tomorrow to see if they can change my order. Thanks for responding.

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  • navy1305
    navy1305 Member Posts: 34
    edited June 2020

    Hi,

    Just to update on my situation, it turned out the sleeves and gloves I had been given in 2016 were 2 sizes too big since I lost around 20 lbs. since then. So I got re-measured and was given 2 pairs of sleeves and gloves in the now-correct size. I also received 2 Circaid Juxtafits for sleeping. The Medi customer service rep specifically told me to NOT use Woolite, and she suggested to use baby shampoo, which is thankfully what I have been using.

    I am feeling like my arm/hand feels better already now that the sleeves and gloves are the right size and I also now have the ones for sleeping. The only issue I have is that the ones for sleeping kind of make my arm need to stick straight out, so by the morning when I wake up, my inner elbow is a little uncomfortable since I guess it is not used to being straight for that long.

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