[ Post a Response | Lymphedema Board ]
Posted by BarbaraBinBrooklyn
on 8/21/2006, 10:58 am, in reply to "BarbaraBinBrooklyn"
69.3.244.197
Hi Audrey,
Unfortunately, yes, I know a lot about lymphedema. My upper arm is the worst part too. Sounds like you need a custom sleeve which can be made as long as you need it to be. Right now, I have a Godfried sleeve. The woman who measures me makes it exactly how I want, including where I want to strap closure to having the gauntlet longer than usual and also the fingers are different lengths (my pinkie seems to swell the most). I also have a Reid sleeve (worn for sleep at night) that I should have had made longer. All my doctors told me not to use the pump. I wear a compression sleeve and glove ALL THE TIME!!!!! Right now, my insurance company will not pay for any further therapy. Said I've used up 60 visits in my lifetime. Not sure what I'm going to do, but there's a strong possibility I will have to go out on disability.
Pleeeeze, find a therapist who really knows what the heck he/she is doing. They can help quite a bit. While my arm never went to its pre-lymphedema size, it felt much better, but you have to keep up with the wraps and the exercises (which I don't do). I've had a few bouts with cellulitis that came on so suddenly with redness, hotness and high fevers. Be careful with your arm. Good site, lymphnet.org. A lot of good information. Hope this helps. Keep in touch, BBinB
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