My Thoughts on Juzo, Lymphediva and Mediven
Juzo – Most comfortable. I can wear this all day and forget I have it on for the most part. The amount of compression feels right, and the sleeve and gauntlet keep their shape for the whole day. Bonus – Juzo comes in a lot of fun styles (like the one pictured above). I figure if I have to wear these dumb things, at least I can look cute. The downside of Juzo (in my experience) is that it’s pricier than other brands.
Lymphediva – I like the fit of the sleeve when I initially put it on, but within a couple hours the upper arm area gets loose, and I find that annoying. I am also not a fan of the gauntlet with this brand. It is very loose around my wrist which ends up leaving the hand and arm compressed and a small wrist area loose. When I do wear a Lymphediva sleeve, I generally wear a Juzo gauntlet with it. Lymphediva comes in a lot of fun styles like Juzo, and the price is lower, but I think the quality is lower as well.
Mediven – This brand is the most economical that I’ve found, but I find it uncomfortably tight. I never forget I have this on when I’m wearing it. It also comes in just 4 colors and no patterns.
Kelly at Cancer Rehab PT is a great resource for working to managing Lymphedema. I refer to her videos often.
Fad or Fantastic?
Vibration plates seem to be all the rage in the world of fitness right now. I can’t speak for the purpose they serve for people who use them in a “normal” workout routine, but my lymphedema specialist recommended I start using one to stimulate my lymph system. I’ve only been using it for a short-time, but I’m hopeful that adding this to my routine will be helpful. Here’s a link to the one I bought: LifePro Waver Mini. Here’s a video about their efficacy for Lymphedema: Do Vibration Plates Work for Lymphatic Drainage?
Each morning and evening, I do a manual lymph drainage routine followed by a dry brush. There are a lot to pick from, but this is the one I use: MainBasics Dry Brushing Body Brush. Here’s helpful link: Dry Brushing How To.
I also do manual lymph massage every day, keep my left arm elevated when I can, and I sit in a compression pump (or as I prefer to call it) a torture device for an hour every night. I’ve also added a lot of anti-inflammatory foods to my diet. If you have questions about any of the things that I do to keep my lymphedema in check, please reach out!