Category Archives: Tips & Tricks

Staying Stylish with SleekSleeves

alexa sleeksleeves

Last week I decided to spread a little lymphedema awareness, and, with the help of my friends at SleekSleeves, I donned a stylish sleeve on my arm for a day. I don’t have lymphedema in my arm – I have it in my leg – but I wanted to experience what it was like to wear something so visible. I wore it to my retail job, where I do a lot of customer service working at the register; it was a good place to give the sleeve some exposure and to see if and how people would react to it.

alexa sleeksleevesMost people thought it was a tattoo and commented on it, but a lot of people didn’t say anything at all – just stared, averting their eyes once they caught me catching them looking at my arm as I handed them change. To the ones who did say something, I explained that no, it wasn’t a tattoo, that it was a cover for a medical garment. I then explained why one would need said garment and what lymphedema was, and handed them my business card. It was a positive experience: they left learning something new, and I felt good about spreading some knowledge!

The sleeve itself was super comfortable. I wore a full-length sleeve in the “Wildflower” pattern on my right arm. The fabric was light and breathable, and the elastic wasn’t too tight at all, the sleeve staying in place throughout the entire day. Despite not having lymphedema in my arm, I plan on wearing both of my SleekSleeves for a little added warmth and style with my shirts this winter!

The sleeves are great for more than just lymphedema wear: one can wear them to cover athletic braces, insulin pumps, tattoos, surgical scars, or PICC lines. They’re also nice for added warmth during a run or workout, and come in a variety of colors and patterns to complement any outfit or mood. They come in child’s sizes, too, as well as styles for legs.

Visit SleekSleeves.com to see their full product line, and use the promotional code “WDH” for a 10% discount on your order. Shipping is always free!

For more information, contact sales@sleeksleeves.com or call 603-483-3474.
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How to Care for your Compression Garment

Compression garments are probably one of the most important aspects of lymphedema management; when you take care of your garment you are taking care of your lymphedema, and therefore cleaning your garment is something you should do on a daily basis. Try to make it a part of your routine!

When you clean your garment, you are not only cleaning it for the sake of cleanliness but also to maintain its compression. It’s common for the elastic to stretch after about twelve hours of wear – common yet no good for your affected limb, as the lax compression can cause lymphatic fluid to pool. By washing regularly, you are strengthening the elastic and restoring your compression, and you’re able to get the most out of your garment. Remember that frequent washing won’t harm the garment, but improper care will.

So – what is the best way to clean your garment? (The following information is from the ever-informative LymphedemaBlog.com)

Hand Wash

Fill a bowl, bucket, sink, or small tub with water and dip your compression garment into it, to dampen. Add a small amount of cleaning solution and allow the garment to soak for a few minutes, then gently rub the fibers of the garment together (be careful not to stretch them excessively). Empty the tub and then refill with clean water; rinse the garment thoroughly, especially along the seams. When finished, gently squeeze the compression garment to remove excess water.

Machine Wash

It’s recommended to put your garment in a mesh laundry bag in order to protect the fabric during the washing cycle (use the gentle cycle!). Water temperature may range between cool and warm, but should not be colder than 86 degrees Fahrenheit, or warmer than 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Darker colored garments should be washed in cool water.

Cleaning Solutions

Mild soaps or detergents should be used, free of bleach, chlorine, fabric softeners, and other laundry additives; harsh cleaning agents, solvents, petroleum-based cleaners, etc. can destroy the thin fibers of compression garments. Some manufacturers offer washing solutions formulated specially for compression garments, and these are recommended to help extend the life of your garment.

Drying

If using a dryer, the dial should be set on a no-heat (maximum low-heat) air drying cycle because excessive heat exposure may weaken or even damage the elastic fibers of the garments. If your garment has a silicone band, the no-heat dryer setting will help to protect this material.

When garments are air-dried, it is important not to excessively pull, squeeze, or wring out the residual water from the garment. Rolling up the compression garment in a towel and gently squeezing the towel before laying them out to dry speeds up the drying process (note: garments should never be left rolled up in a towel).

Whether garments are line-dried or laid flat to dry, exposure to direct sunlight should be avoided and the garment should be turned inside out. It is recommended to place a towel on a drying rack and then laying the garment on top to dry. If hanging the garment directly on a rack or pole to drip dry, the weight of the water could stretch the stockings, causing them to fit improperly.

For more information about why compression garments require such special care, check out the Lymphedema Blog.

All Wrapped Up

The other day I began a four week process in which my affected limb is wrapped in a series of bandages and foam padding to create compression. The goal is to get my leg down to the smallest size possible so that I can be measured for a new compression garment. The smaller the measurements, the tighter the garment will be – and the better the swelling will be managed!

So what exactly does wrapping entail?

First, the lymphedema therapist took out a large sheet of foam padding. The foam, when wrapped under tight bandaging, helps to contour and compress the leg. She measured alongside my leg and foot and cut out a couple different pieces: an arch pad, a front piece, and a back piece. (These will be used later.)

Next, she wrapped my leg in Artiflex cotton batting, like the kind you’d use to keep a cast in place. This went from the bottom of my toes all the way to my knee.

After that, she put the foam pieces on, wrapping them loosely in place with a regular Ace bandage.

After that, she individually wrapped the first four toes of my foot.

Next come the bandages! The lymphedema therapist used four rolls of Rosidal short stretch bandages – two 8 centimeter and two 10 centimeter rolls. She wrapped my leg with tighter compression at the bottom, the gradient compression helping to move the lymph upwards.

The final product:

I go to the clinic almost every day for four weeks, and each day we do the same: unwrap, perform manual lymph drainage, re-wrap. It’s only been three days but I’ve already noticed a difference when the bandages are removed – a lot of the swelling is down and I’m really excited to get fitted for my new garment. Wrapping is a worthwhile process to undertake, something I’d definitely recommend talking to a lymphedema specialist about!

What are your experiences with wrapping? Have you found it to be helpful?

Guest Post: Jim’s Tips for Exercise

Jim Miller has had lymphedema for over forty years, but doesn’t let that get in the way of leading an active lifestyle! He’s biked the coast of Oregon, participated in Bike MS, and now he’s here to share some tips on staying active with lymphedema.

First, I’m not a doctor; don’t play one on TV; and urge you to go see your own physician before undertaking any strenuous physical activity. There – the “fine print” is out-of-the-way up front.

Alexa asked me to put together a few tips for those of us (like Rosie who posts to “The Lymphie Life”)  who insist on putting our lymphedema through some strenuous sporting events. Rosie just did a triathlon after deciding she wasn’t going to let her lymphedema stop her from getting out and enjoying life even more. A triathlon probably takes several hours to complete, depending on its length, and my 65-70 mile bike rides to raise money to fight MS often take 6 or 7 hours. You’re going to build up some extra fluid, but not to worry: we have ways of taking care of that.

Here’s some things I’ve learned about exercise with lymphedema:

  • I have been told for years that regular exercise, staying fit, and maintaining a healthy weight are very important for managing your lymphedema. What I learned more recently is that regular exercise also helps keep your lymphedema from getting too fibrous, which makes it harder to reduce with compression wrapping.
  • Strenuous exercise generates more lymph fluid so anticipate some extra swelling, especially after long events.
  • Be sure you always wear your garment when exercising – whether light or more strenuous. Don’t even consider skipping it – the garment’s compression and its pumping action helps you get rid of the extra fluid.
  • Heat also affects our lymphedema as we all are aware, so heat plus exercise will create some conditions we’ll need to manage after our event is done.
  • If it is very hot, I liked the idea somebody posted on Alexa’s blog about wetting down your lymphedema limb. I did that after my first riding day this year and it was wonderful.
  • Drink plenty of fluids while exercising, especially for those longer events. Keep your body hydrated and your lymph fluid watered down. I know it helps.
  • Speaking of hydration, did you know Americans are as a rule 30% dehydrated? So when you go out and exercise you’re starting from a “negative” hydration status. I drink extra water for a day or two before a long, hot event like this month’s ride.
  • After the event, be sure to set aside time and do your manual lymph drainage. You have to help that fluid get out. I got a neck/back massage after our ride and learned my masseuse was a certified lymphedema therapist. Had there been more time and privacy she could have helped with my MLD massage. So if you don’t do your own MLD, look for someone to help you.
  • Oh, and one other little trick I learned last year while cycling the Oregon coast was to use what I call “spot wraps” to reduce swelling in specific areas. If my foot starts to swell after a few days of exercise (it did) I’ll take my Farrow Wrap foot piece, cut bits of white Comprex-Binde foam to fit over the ankle and across the top of the foot and snug down the velcro straps over night. Then I can be sure to fit into my cycling shoes in the morning. It worked like a charm this summer, too.
  • Even with MLD and a good compression garment, there seems to be a residual build-up of fluid that, for me, takes about three days to show up. So be prepared to see more swelling. This year I just bit the bullet and wrapped my leg for a couple of days during the week following the long bike ride. Hey, we do what we have to in order to live an active life with lymphedema.

The National Lymphedema Network has some excellent exercise tips here: 
http://www.lymphnet.org/pdfDocs/nlnexercise.pdf

What tips and tricks do you have up your compression garment that help you manage your lymphedema under some special circumstances, like long or strenuous exercises?

Summer Tips & Promises

It’s June, lymphies! Can you believe it? This year is already halfway over; it’s amazing how quickly the months pass.

I wish I could be as excited about the summer as everyone else seems to be, but I’m already a little panicky. We’re right at the cusp of one of the most uncomfortable seasons for sufferers of lymphedema: the dreaded summertime, a season of increased swelling, awkward compression garments, and feeling self-conscious. Whoa, mama! That’s quite the trifecta.

Styling in my Mediven stocking.

I don’t mean to sound so negative; summer is a great season. I’m still learning, though, how to enjoy summertime without sacrificing my lymphedema care (something I do more often than I’d like to admit). I want my leg to be healthy.. but I also want to wear shorts and sundresses.. so where’s the balance?

I’m making a promise to myself and to all of you that I’ll be more consistent about taking care of my leg (and I hope you’ll do the same). This summer, I’m determined to wear my compression garment daily, fearlessly, without worrying about what other people may think or say about it. As for the short shorts and sundresses.. well, I’m making peace with the fact that it is what it is and instead of moping around, I’ve been slowly forming a new wardrobe of lymphie-friendly clothing that’s cool enough for the warm weather but will also help camouflage my compression garment. Maxi dresses, linen pants, wrap skirts.. they’re my new staples. I’ve even found some shoes that hide the stocking on top of my foot (peep-toe shoes are great for this!).

I’m trying to work with my lymphedema, instead of ignoring or obsessing over it – a happy, healthy medium! I’ll try to get some pictures of my clothes on here soon, but in the meantime, check out this post for tips on how to manage your lymphedema without compromising your summertime fun.

What are some things you do to beat the heat? How do you manage your lymphedema in the summer? Share your story in the comments section!