GRRRRRRRRR I HATE LE..........
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My grrrrr tonight is cooking related.
How in the world do you all cut veggies and do it with LE gloves?
All the hand washing that's involved...I have yet to figure out how to do healthy cooking with all my LE paraphernalia on. I'm super swollen tonight as a result. I'm thinking about just being a super LE rebel tonight and taking a hot bath too. #hmpf# It's 14 outside right now. It was 70 on Tuesday ... That doesn't help either.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr0 -
Dawn-
I keep a box of latex-free medical gloves in my kitchen drawer. I just wear one over my LE glove.0 -
Gma, I wasn't sure if you were asking about an IV or a blood draw. In the case of injections and IVs, there's an additional danger of not being able to predict how an area with LE might process whatever's injected, so it might not be distributed to the rest of your body in a normal manner.
Dawne-Hope, someday you'll have a collection of old compression gloves you no longer wear every day. You can wash them and keep them in a kitchen drawer for messy jobs, then toss them back in the wash. Sorry for the stupid swelling--so discouraging!
Hope it's all settled down by morning!Be well!
Binney0 -
Gma - I think the trouniquet and the needle are both issues, for different reasons. The tourniquet can cause more lymph damage, therefore, make it harder to drain - and the needle can introduce bacteria and cause infection - at least that's the way it was explained to me.
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gma, the problem is a little complicated, the tourniquet can damage the lymph vessels just under the skin, like the constriction of the bp cuff and the puncture can allow germs to get in the arm causing infection (cellutitus). By not using the torniquet I am reducing the risk factor by one. I make sure that they put antibiotic ointment on the puncture site when they put the bandaid on it as a precaution. The lab tech seems to think that drawing blood from the foot can cause blood clots in the leg. I have yet to figure out how to change her position on this issue. I have tried taking the NLN position risk reduction papers from step-up-speak-out to the office but it hasn't made a difference yet. At least I only see this doctor once a year at this point.
Sheila
edit, I didn't see this went on to the next page and the question by Gma was answered by others on this 'swell' site. I also keep the latex gloves in my kitchen to wear over my gauntlet when cooking, the gloves also keeps the mess from getting under my fingernails.
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Purple here is one way to do it - http://www.livestrong.com/article/70648-check-blood-pressure-ankle/
Binney - I meant for blood draw - I am still having issues with my docs wanting to put in an order to draw out of the feet.
I am having a sleep study done - things with the cpap aren't the best - they think I might need oxygen - so I am doing the sleep study and will figure out how to pay for it later.
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I got my new garments and I like them. The only problem I am having is with my left foot. The toes keep turning purple. The foot part is just a wee bit longer than the last one is the only difference so I am thinking it is just putting pressure on something causing it. If I move my toes it goes away. Time will tell.
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PinkHeart - Thank you. I'm not a coordinated gal
and I wear gloves on both hands. I've thought about wearing latex gloves over my LE gloves but the thoughts of what damage I could cause to my fingers/hands has kept me from doing so. 
I'm really afraid if I wear plastic gloves on both my hands and am handling fruit or veggies that are slightly wet ... I could slice myself pretty good. 
I will keep it in my mind. Thank you.Binney - I hadn't thought of using an old pair of gloves. I will do that. My gloves get so grubby during the day I wouldn't think about wearing the same gloves to cut veggies and fruit and meat ... but an old pair ... I will totally do that. Thank you.
I bought some chocolate today. It had been awhile since I'd been to a store where I could buy soy free chocolate. And I just want to remind you all ... that chocolate does make things better!
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I wear a nitrile glove over my sleeve/glove when working in the kitchen and haven't had an more problem with slipping, dropping than usual - I wear it on my left hand, and I am right handed, so things would probably be differrent if it were the other way around.
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I am left-handed - so I have the knife in my left hand ... were I to wear plastic gloves over both ... it honestly scares me to death.
#notcoordinated0 -
I can understand that Dawne - I'm always cutting myself, so I figure the gloe is just an extra layer to go through before I cut myself. I also drop things a lot, figure it's the neuropathy and loss of strength in both hands.
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I'm a rebel - I don't wear my gloves in the kitchen. I buy as much stuff already chopped as possible. I only have me to look after so it's easier.
The weather changes - from 2 degrees to 60+ and back to 12 - is driving Little Martha (LE arm) crazy. She is giving me fits with achiness. It's making me bonkers - even with my Paxil
.Gonna pull out the Flexi-touch and give her some extra care today and maybe take a Saturday nap in the process - maybe that nap is a side benefit?
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I'm a rebel - I don't wear my gloves in the kitchen.
Ohio
Do you go without gloves while wearing a sleeve/ That would scare me.
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Another thing - I wore my sleeve/glove Thursday cuz of the achiness. It made my arm feel better, but... I was a customer site and spent the entire day in room that was very warm. That evening my hand was swollen more than it has been for a very long time.
So - if I wear the sleeve/glove the achiness is less but if my arm/hand get too warm they swell more.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.........I severely dislike LE
.Just had to say that - overall, I don't really have many complaints. I don't like it - but I manage.
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My OT reported to the flexitouch rep.that I was having trouble with my garments. The nurse rep. Came out today and said that yes indeed it was the wrong size. My husband had been saying that for a month. She said they would ship new ASAP! Love my OT and appreciate the Flexitouch visit!
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Sounds familiar.....that is why I finally gave up in disgust....really did not need the stress or dealing with "pro's" who could not get it right........sometimes the people you deal with, are worse then the LE........when you find yourself tearing up cause you do your best, and others can't do theirs.......not to mention what it cost me in co-pays for therapy.....and I still have no custom sleeve...oh I had 3 which all had to go back. Enough already
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ducky
Do you have a LE therapist or just a fitter ?
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Beatmon - I aslo have a flexitouch system and chest garment size was an issue at first... My rep and OT came to the rescue and I did get a proper fit... I am so glad to have found this company and an effective product and even more grateful that my insurance company paid for the pump without any pushback... The billing department at Tactile Systems did all the work... After using the unit for 6 months, my truncal LE was under control with use of the pump only every other day(and of course my UA compression top during the day).
I have since had DIEP reconstriction on that side that did not go well and between scar tissue other issues, am unable to use the pump until I get this corrected in June... The LE has flaired up again and is difficult to control now so am going for MLD starting this week... I've been in "GRRRRRRR" mode for the last couple of months and can't wait until the fall when I can use the unit again and feel a little more self-sufficient...
Beatmon, when you get your new garments and are using the system regularly I would love to know it is helping you as much as it was helping me! Keep us in the loop.
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Maxine58: the Flexitouch did help my arms, my measurements have improved greatly. Can't wait to get proper chest size. It should be here Thursday. ,
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Going back to the blood clot issue if blood is drawn from the leg. My oncologist also thinks so, and she warned me about it. She told me to have blood taken from my other arm that doesn't have LE but ax. nodes removed and BX, and just ask the nurse to be extra careful with keeping the area antisceptic. I did and thank G-d no problems.
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Went to a doctor yesterday and told them to take BP on the ankle. Got a sky high reading. I kept telling them I was famous for my normal blood pressure, but the doctor get a little freaked and kept asking me if they could do it on one of the arms.
No. I just stood my ground and told them no over and over.
She finally took it manually on the thigh, and a better reading and was satisfied with that.
Stand your ground with BPs and IVs ladies.
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Purple......both, and highly recommended. Supposed to be the best. My problem was 90% the fitter. My therapist was very good. The problem with her was to many patients....to few spots. Only 2 days a week. 9to 3. Changed to another place for the hours, and ended up with someone who only saw children at night. Finally gave up.
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Nibanna~way to go girl. Good for you!!!
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and ended up with someone who only saw children at night
ducky
Children ????!!! This does not sound like a CERT LE therapist. I feel your frustration, believe me. I am sorry for all you have been through. I go outside of my INS to my LE'ist.
But I was just thinking your LE'ist might be able to help you wilth the sleeves and measure better than a fitter.You obviously need a good LEist ...worth their weight in gold, I know !
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Great for standing your ground Nibbana, when they took your BP on the ankle, were you sitting or laying down? To get a more accurate reading you need to elevate your legs for at least 5 minutes to close to the level of the heart.
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Purple...my first one was excellent...hors were bad.....2nd was very good also, but she could not do the hours I needed either...they were both certified by the association....2nd one dealt with physically disabled children also. Did le in the day hours.kids at 7pm till 8. Heard today there is a surgical procedure for LE. Will show it onTVtonight.
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Ducky, What chanel is the show on and what time? I won't get it out west so please let us know all about it.
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Yes, I have heard of it ducky.
PLS let us know if there is anything promising.
Sorry you cannot find a better LEist.
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Can you ladies jump into my pocket tonight - but don't be too noisy at the party - its a overnight sleep study.
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Hi everyone I have been posting on another thread lymphedema questions, the ladies over there have been so helpful to me and have suggested I come over here, I live in MI and looking for a LE PT, having so much trouble finding someone, I just want my left arm to start feeling normal and the swelling to go away will try to call the PT one more time and see whats going on. I have been given so much help and encouragement which is appreciated , for some reason this isn't working out for me, I keep running into road blocks. I did just call the PT, she will be in later today, and I gave the receptionist my info. hopefully I will hear from someone today. Do I sound confused and fustrated, it's because I am, this has been going on for awhile. Any other help would sure be appreciated as I wait for someone to call. This is all so new to me.
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