The need for proactive approach to lymphedema

The other thing that I find frustrating is the lack of funding for compression garments in some states. In Qld There is none! I have to wear custom made garments. They are expensive $500 each and we should have two every 6 months. If you are in a health fund they pay limited amounts towards these $500 annually. I was lucky enough to be seen in the public system, where garments are free. However they now have such a backlog that they are seeing patients by priority. This means that if your lymphedema is not critical it is very hard to get an appointment. They are strongly encouraging us to be seen privately. Even with private health insurance the gap on these appointments is huge and then there is the money for the garments as well. I sound like such a whinger, but it is so frustrating that there is not equality state by state in our health services. Thanks Carol for all the info and what you are doing to get the message out there. In regional Qld it is definitely not out there yet. My lovely occupational therapist rolls her eyes when I tell her my surgeon thinks my garments aren't necessary at all. I am however lucky as she was very well informed when finally saw her and my lymphedema much better. Can even get away without wearing the garment sometimes now :) Paula