I was just wondering whether anyone has a sleeve that finishes at the wrist? My swelling is at my elbow and in my chest but my sleeve covers my whole arm and hand. I would prefer one that stops at the wrist as it’s less obvious but I don’t know if that would make my hand swell up!
Any advice welcome. I am seeing the lymph nurse on Wednesday so want to go along with as much info as I can.
Thank you
Hattie
Hi Hatts
It is perfectly possible to get sleeves with no glove or gauntlet. Medi do them and so do Haddenham, probably Jobst and Juzo, too.
My arms have never swollen beyond my wrist (except once when I was given an extremely badly fitting sleeve and my fingers turned into sausages in less than an hour - scary)) and I have never worn a glove or gauntlet or an all in one sleeve. I would imagine that the ones that end at the wrist must be much more comfortable and much less unsightly to wear than the others. If you don’t have any swelling in your hand (like me), there doesn’t seem much point in having compression there - the part of your lymphatic system that drains your hand is working OK, I would imagine.
Good luck with your lymph nurse on Wednesday
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hi ive got a sleeve that finishes at the wrist ,but i also have to wear a glove .last time i went to clinic was given the wrong size glove to wear and my fingers went black!! dont wear it all the time as its really uncomfortable ,and i cant see any differance whatever i do . am waiting for a new appointment at lymphodemia clinic .dont go very often as they dont hold tthem in this area that often ,so it can be months before i see anyone if i have a problem ,and gp doesnt know anything about the condition. think i should be campaining for better care in this area as i cant be the only one that has it .
lynn
Hi there aroma - it’s amazing how often they get the sizing wrong, isn’t?
I’m not sure if the problem is poor measuring by the clinics and/or poor quality control by the manfacturers. There’s also the cost issue - I imagine the NHS lymphoedema nurses are obliged to try the cheapest sleeves first, which are not necessarily the best for the patient.
Aroma, was it you who was awaiting an appointment for some MLD at the hospice? Have you had any news?
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Had my appointment today and got a new sleeve that ends at the wrist so am happy about that. It is much less obvious when you wear long sleeves and the only part that rubbed me was between my thumb and index finger so that one is solved too!!
Hi Hatts
So pleased you have the sleeve you wanted!
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no i was supposed to be having it from lymphodemia nurse at my clinic .was recomende the hospice but havnt persued it as cant see any benebfits really ,as an aromatherapist my self i used to massage people ,but found this was just a relief rather than a cure .as we no longer have lymph nodes to drain excess fliud ,it will come back ,we can just try to keep it relieved . going to ring up clinic to see of i can get a new appointment as arm very swollen today .lynn x.
Hi Aroma - I think it’s worth giving MLD a try. It is very specialised and delicate, not like convential massage techniques. You are having such a miserable time. Perhaps you should not put on a brave face any more at your clinic, but to try some foot stamping or waterworks instead. Perhaps if some staff had to ‘wear a lymphoedema arm’ as part of their training…
A properly trained and qualified (Vodder, Foldi, Leduc accredited) therapist (hopefully your lymphoedema nurse is one of these - the people at the hospice almost certainly will be) knows where and how to redirect lymph fluid so that it will move along unaffected pathways. Mine is Vodder trained, and even with two lymphoedema arms she was able to move lymph out of my them.
A course of CDT - compression bandaging and MLD (plus, I think, appropriate exercise) can reduce lymphoedema considerably. Very often, once the bulk of the congestion is removed, a patient can very often maintain the improvement themselves, with just, say a monthly MLD or whatever for a bit of a top-up. The chances of getting this on the NHS appear to be absolutely zippo, which, to my mind is a complete and utter tragedy. The idea is that you control the lymphoedema, not the other way round! A patient who has their lymphoedema under control is more likely to be able to work (and contribute financially) and less likely to have to be hospitalised for cellulitis, etc (a financial drain). It’s in the NHS’s best interest, not to mention the patient’s, for lymphoedema to be effectively managed, but all the ‘suits’ ever see are the short term costs involved.
This rotten condition causes so much UNNECESSARY suffering.
All the best to you, Aroma, I hope you get some joy and some proper help soon
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