Hi, started to go swimming recently-thought about wearing a sleeve whilst doing this-is this a good idea?

[Fridlie]

[Lynora]

Use an old sleeve and go for it! I know many people who do this.

[LymphSuppNetwork Partner LSN]

Hi Fridlie - agree with Lynora - make sure you take it off carefully and dry and moisturise the skin afterwards though before reapplying your compression - this is the bit that can be challenging! swimming without the sleeve is still very useful though so even if you can't manage the sleeve then still get in the pool.

[Lynora]

I have found that most of my 'swimmers' cannot re-don their garments if they moisturise - which is fine, as most of the garment companies recommend that you don't put cream/lotion on too soon before the garment. Also agree that even if you don't manage to wear a sleeve, being in the water is be best possible exercise - bobbing about is just a beneficial as imitating Beccy Adlington- aqua-robics are brilliant fun, if you can find a class.

[lovesradio]

I was recommended to do this by my lymphoedema physio who suggested using an old sleeve and glove cos the chlorine in pools goes for the lycra content. I had mentioned how therapeutic I was finding swimming and she said it is partly the exercise and partly the water pressure that helps, so the sleeve etc is the icing on the cake. I always moisturise before and after swimming as my skin is very dry, but find it OK to leave my 'normal' sleeve and glove off till I get back home, which gives the doublebase gel I use time to dry in a bit.

[Fridlie in reply to lovesradio]

Thanks, tried suggestions. I was worried sleeve might be heavy with water, but it was great. Felt really supported and left my sleeve off after moisturising, until I got home, which worked a treat. Really enjoyed my swim--watch out ms adlington I'm on your tail!!

[norberte]

i went for a swim with corset, sleeves & gloves on (oh, & i wore a cossie as well!)

i'm sure it must have looked interesting (!) but i felt much more benefit - i was enjoying myself so much i bu**ered up my frozen shoulder

lucky i went with a friend, tho - she managed to get the wet sleeves off & drove home so i could leave sleeves off & not try to put dry ones one in the damp changing room (can't drive without sleeves on)

as everyone else has said, keep old garments for in the pool, & wash them out thoroughly, & i've 'marked' the swimming ones with a bit of coloured cotton sewn into the top (just the inside layer of a knitted top, thru the top few stitches of a seam on gloves & anywhere - i went for the edging at the back - on the corset)

[nicolams]

HI all, I am on a info about lymphodema course made compulsory by my local lymphodema service ( of which more perhaps another time) anyway, they say no need to wear sleeve when swimming as water compresses the arm ? I swim about 50 lengths without sleeve and no ill effects....hmm guess its one of those its different for all of us issues maybe, best, Nicola