New Lymphadema treatment from Japan

DiVanDyke · January 19, 2005, 12:53am

As I have mentioned, I really love my OT. She is helping me so much. My shoulder rotaion was 0 and is now 20 degrees. She's also taught me better ways of doing my massages based on my condition. Today I have my arm taped, hand too with the fingers cut out. It is called Kinesio tape. The muscles move against it like my bandage but I wear the bandage over it. I'll let you know if it helps. I still have a lump beneath my wrist that won't go away. It prevents the fluid from coming out of my hand That has been going on for several years now.

ardee · January 19, 2005, 3:02am

Hi Di,

I'm so glad your arm is better. I'm calling my doctor tomorrow about my shoulder, which is giving me fits now that I can't take Naproxen for it. Hope I"m as lucky as you and get someone really good.

L&H,
Rita

Luci · January 19, 2005, 4:45am

Diane, you're so brave to take on this new type of lymph. therapy. Glad you have some movement in the arm; hopefully the motion will increase more with each visit. What do the drs. say is causing the lump in your wrist? Is it some sort of ganglia in there blocking everything?? I'm hugging you tightly. Love, Luci

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me lay an invincible summer. Albert Camus

sdearing · January 19, 2005, 4:00pm

Di, good luck with the new therapy. I hope this provides you with lots of relief. Sending you hugs and lots of prayers.

Love you
Sara

Sara Dearing

Today is a gift, that's why they call it the present!

wackygal · January 19, 2005, 9:02pm

Di-

I love my kiniseo tape! I was first taped a couple years ago, and I thought 'yea right, THIS is gonna work'... and it did!!! it is truly amazing, it works overnight. it works really good on my torso right under my arm. good luck with it!

what color do you have? i like the bright pink! now i get it from allegromedical.com because i can do it myself and save those expensive trips to the lymphadema massage therapist.

hugs,
stefanie

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"It's been worth everything I've been through,

To do what I do"

To Do What I Do -Alan Jackson, 2004

Jo-Ann · January 19, 2005, 11:28pm

Okay Di and Stef, I've got to have more info.

DiVanDyke · January 20, 2005, 12:26am

Hi All,

Luci, it is the lymph fluid that will not drain. The doctors haven't said anything else. Since I didn't move my arm for a year and a half, it couldn't drain. Now I have two different kinds of pumps to do. Make a fist and punch up in the air. Bring the arm down and open the hand. The pumps near the wrist. Then I lay on my side, raise my elbow, touch my head and staighten out my arm . This pumps around my elbow. People wonder why I am so busy all day. The massages are good but it is a little hard when she pulls to get my shoulder to rotate. She did the massage and then put on the tape. It is beige Steph but she did offer me colors. I'll have to try pink. I know she has blue. The tape is only worn for 48 hours and since I see her Friday, I am supposed to take it off Thursday. That may hurt. I don't know how often I will wear it. It looks like the only way, Jo-Ann to get the fluid out of my hand. If I wear the bandage, my hand swells. This is so much better than wearing my hand bandage. You should be able to get it. I hope you can try it. I'll let you all know what happens. Love and Hugs, Di

wackygal · January 21, 2005, 12:51am

Jo-Ann

I have been trying self massage with a book (Lymphedema - A Breast Cancer Patient's Guide to Prevention and Healing by Jeannie Burt) since Xmas and have gotten some results, albeit not as good as the month of massage 3x/week and wrap with my therapist, but it'll do for now. The kiniseo tape I use mainly running in a vertical line from my left lower hip up under my armpit and over across my incision scar, or up the side of my body and across my upper back. Hard to explain. BUT it does work. The tape is like an adhesive ace-bandage, it flexes and the theory is that if you stretch and apply it, that when you relax it continues to stimulate your skin and helps with drainage. (ok, that was kinda confusing - sorry!) Here are a couple of sites that may help: www.kinesiotaping.com ,

here is a short but good article: http://www.lymphnotes.com/article.php/id/215/

Check it out... hope it helps!
Stefanie

ps- yes Di I olny keep mine on for a day...any more than that and it sticks too much, and hurts more when i rip it off (they key is to rip it quick!)...a little pain, but big benefit, IMO. ! ;-)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"It's been worth everything I've been through,

To do what I do"

To Do What I Do -Alan Jackson, 2004