Rehabilitation with lipedema
If the pain and deposits become too much due to lipoedema and you can't shake the feeling that you urgently need a RESET, then these are usually signs that the worker is also in danger. In order to counteract this process preventively and not just sit back and watch the disease progress, as a chronically ill person you can theoretically apply for rehabilitation at any time when it is medically necessary. You don't have to wait the famous 4 years between two treatments, but you can be prepared for the application not always going through the same way.
What is rehab?
The Reha is intended to restore the original state of health with the patient's full potential. In our case, this means decongestion through very regular MLD (= manual lymphatic drainage) with subsequent wrapping, lots of exercise and, above all, education. It lasts about three weeks and can be extended by the treating clinic if necessary.
The Kur Has not been used as a term in the field of medical rehabilitation since the 2000 health reform and is used in most cases for recreation and prevention (e.g. mother / father-child cure). It is to be understood as medical prevention of illnesses, whereas rehab tries to restore health or to avert a disability / need for care.
What can I expect at my rehab with lipedema?
In the best case, you will be admitted to a clinic that specializes in edema. There you will be instructed, measured, examined and presented to the clinic doctor for the first few days. This will take some time, but after that you can slowly integrate yourself into the daily routine. There is a general sequence of sports programs, MLD appointments (twice a day), meals, lectures, discussions with specialist staff (psychologist, nutritionist, etc.) and from time to time an evening program. So you're really busy if you want to make the most of your stay.
You will receive a small booklet in which all activities are recorded so that the pension insurance can understand whether you have completed the compulsory program and kept your appointments. Your additional sports units, participations and successes are also recorded there, which has always motivated me to put even more effort into it.
My first rehab with lipoedema was extended to four weeks, it could have been five, but I wanted to spend my 25th birthday at home. Depending on how severe your lipedema is, there is a high probability that your stay will be extended. Because once you are there, it is advisable to take as much as possible with you in order to go home with the best possible result. I have the clinic with me in 2014 4 liters less lymph fluid in the tissue leaves the clinic.
2014 - My first rehab with lipedema
Since I would have longed for such an article back then, I am showing you a few pictures and impressions from my first rehab in the Feldberg Clinic in St. Blasien, in the beautiful Black Forest.
The application
Where do you start when applying? I have here the forms the DRV for you. You have to fill it out and send it to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung together with the form that your doctor fills out for/with you. The DRV will check your application and will contact you for the first time when your documents are received and will inform you of your file number. You must always state this in the event of any queries or objections.
you can e.g. B. object if your application is rejected or you are assigned to the wrong clinic. The latter can happen if you have other illnesses, whereupon the payer assigns you incorrectly.
After a while, you will receive the notification of the approval of your rehabilitation and the hospital address (max. Five weeks). You can then call the clinic and let them know if a booked vacation or something similar is imminent and arrange an approximate period of travel with the clinic management. Please note, however, that there is usually a waiting period and your appointment can be three to four months in the future.
Suitable clinics
Reinhardshöhe Clinic
34537 Bad Wildungen-Reinhardshausen
www.klinik-reinhardshoehe.de
Tree clinic
"Haus am Schloßpark"
57319 Bad Berleburg, Germany
www.lymphklinik.com
HELIOS clinic
Oberwald-Grebenhain
36355 Grebenhain
www.helios-kliniken.de
Taunus Clinic
61231 Bad Nauheim
www.edemklinik.de
Kraichgau Clinic
74906 Bad Rappenau
www.kraichgau-klinik.de
Földi Clinic
79856 Hinterzarten
www.foeldiklinik.de
Feldberg Clinic Dr. Asdonk
79837 St. Blasien
www.asdonk-online.de
St.-Georg Vorsorge- u. Rehabilitation clinics
79862 Hochenschwand
www.st-georg-kliniken.de
MEDIAN Clinic Wismar
23968 Wismar
www.median-kliniken.de
Zechlin Sea Clinic
16837 Zechlin village
www.asdonk-online.de
MEDIAN Clinic I Bad Berka
MEDIAN Clinic II Bad Berka
99438 Bad Berka, Germany
www.median-kliniken.de
Inselsberg Clinic
99891 Tabarz
www.inselsberg-klinik.de
Lympho-Opt Clinic
91224 Pommelsbrunn-Hohenstadt
www.lympho-opt.de
Source: www.lipoedemportal.de
What do I have to take with me?
That was the biggest question mark in my head back then. When it comes to rehab with lipedema, there are a number of things that need to be considered.
Here is a small checklist with everything that belongs in your suitcase:
- Hygiene products
- nail polish remover (I forgot)
- Underwear
- sports stuff (Pants extra wide, as you spend most of the time wrapped)
- Detergent (there is usually a washing machine in the clinic)
- Compression garments and alternate supply
- Towels
- Swimming gear
- Sturdy footwear (It is also important here that you can lace your shoes further)
- Important: the elastic shoelaces Lymph Laces
- Sport shoes
- Socks (high-necked, as booties slip over the bandages)
- Wide pants to go out
- Aloe vera ointment (the probability is high that you rub yourself off)
- Emergency medication (also for colds!)
- Sleeping clothes
- Extra pillow
- board games
- Entertainment for private hours (Book, series, handicraft, music)
- Bottle
- Frischhaltedose
- laundry bags
- Umbrella
- slippers
Visit
Visiting is generally possible. You can register the visit and usually get an extra bed if you don't have a double bed anyway. I haven't heard of any time restrictions here. Some patients have their companion with them throughout the entire rehab.
Costs
Accommodation and meals for your stay, as well as travel costs, are covered by the cost bearer. Your co-payment is usually € 10 per day, but there are also some special cases in which you are either exempted from the co-payment or can use domestic help. It is best to ask your insurance provider.
Further information
I would like to provide you with a few more detailed sources on this topic and give you a few links:
I'm just an affected person like you and try to pass my knowledge on to you. If there is incorrect information here, please let me know so that I can correct it. This article is intended to make it easier for you to take the first steps in applying for rehabilitation with lipoedema and to provide general information. I hope I can be of a little help with this.
Here you can find my rehab diary for 2017.
Unfortunately, the clinic in grebenhain is not recommended. I've already been there and was only told: there is nothing we can do take it off!
The only special thing about the clinic is that they are unfriendly and do not recognize lipedema when they see it. I was already on rehab in 2011 for lipedema. Got the diagnosis just as long. But according to grebenhain, I'm just fat
Hello Jessica,
As I could see in the list above, the clinic in Grebenhain belongs to the HELIOS clinics. These were very, very often with extremely bad criticism in the media. Mostly it was about the hygienic conditions (hospital germs, etc.) and not about special diseases, but that speaks its own language.
You're right, I was told the same thing, and there was no help either ...
Found the post well portrayed. I was in the Földi Clinic in Hinterzarten in the Black Forest. There was swaddling once a day and a lot of exercise so that the lymph worked again. Just want to mention that you should buy your shoes one or two sizes larger because the wraps need more volume in the shoe. Was very excited. Lost 2.5 kg of water and 2.5 kg of weight and kept it for a year. With less pain. Unfortunately it rose again when I had to take cortisone.
Very interesting post! As a single mother of a kindergarten child, I am urgently looking for outpatient rehab (lipedema II) or for rehab to which I can take my child. I'm grateful for every tip ...
Hello, I read your post with interest. But was a little shocked that you were still bandaged. I got flat knit supplies from the beginning (01). Comfortable to wear, aesthetically more beautiful and not to forget the most important thing: successful! was there a reason for the bandaging? Kind regards Ines
Hello Ines,
In rehab it is perfectly normal to be bandaged during the decongestion phase. Only at the end of your stay will you be given a fresh compression garment with which you can then drive home. 🙂
Regards
Caroline
The only doctor / phlebologist within a 50km radius is the one in Grebenhain and, to be honest, I am slowly starting to dare not make regular appointments anymore because I am only told that I should just lose weight (two male doctors each).
Theoretically they found me to have lip / lymphedema, but apart from knee socks (!), Which only help minimally because I have problems above the knee, and the recommendation to lose weight, I can't take anything with me from Grebenhain.
The staff should be trained in how to deal with patients, or alternatively they should be warned by the KK (or whoever is responsible for it). But unfortunately that is only wishful thinking and probably nothing would change.
You can only visit the clinic if you have absolutely no other choice!
So can understand you completely Jessica: / Who diagnosed you with lipedema?
Olga 38 years.
Bad Berleburg is all of them, all of them the best clinic, very good clinic, there are the best doctors and nurses, and you get LD twice a day. Supppppper Klink.
Hello, a question: why should you take nail polish remover with you? Lg
Hi Connie,
if you have painted your nails on arrival, you should take nail polish remover with you. I forgot him then. 🙂 You always want to be well-groomed because you are treated every day.
Best regards,
Caroline
Huhu, thank you very much for the detailed information 🙂 can you go to rehab immediately after the diagnosis? I only got the official diagnosis in June and have been wearing the compression for the first time for a few days. When I read the point about the reset, I felt addressed directly….
Best regards,
Malin
(LiLy II arms and legs)
Hello Malin,
but of course, just submit the application! I cross my fingers for you.
Best regards,
Caroline
Hello Carolina,
Thank you for the information.
Have a question and that is whether the health insurance will cover the costs?
VG
Nikolai Ruppel
Hello Nikolaj,
that depends on your findings. This is usually done by the pension insurance.
Best regards,
Caroline
My cousin also recently started rehab with lipedema. As you already said, you have to send the applications and forms to the pension insurance. I wonder whether rehab based purely on prevention is also possible.
You mean without diagnosis?
Hello Caroline!
Thank you very much for your entry.
I would also like to go to St. Blasien and have submitted an application for maternal benefits to my health insurance company, which was rejected. Do you know whether, with our clinical picture, only the pension insurance provider is eligible for the assumption of costs and not the health insurance company too !?
Thank you for your assessment,
Best regards,
Claudia
Hello Claudia,
So I'm not 100% sure, but I think it makes sense to then submit the application to the pension insurance. It's primarily about maintaining your workforce, isn't it?
Best regards,
Caroline
Hello Caroline,
Thank you very much for your quick response.
I am currently in the process of obtaining comprehensive information, you have to pay attention to a lot and in my case the health insurance company rejects my mother's application because the pension insurance is responsible for it….
it remains exciting. Do you also have psychological support, nutritional advice, etc. in St. Blasien or is there something like this for lipedema patients?
I wish you a sunny day and I send you
best regards,
Claudia
Hello dear Caroline,
I've been following you for a while and am amazed how you do it.
regarding the additional costs. Did you pay them for 4 weeks?
Did you pay everything at once?
Hello Marie-Louice,
Thank you! I transferred the additional costs of 10 € per day in one go, yes.
Best regards,
Caroline
Thank you very much for your article on rehab with lipedema. It works out well because my daughter recently asked me how lipedema rehab is done. A good indication that, above all, decongestion is carried out through very regular MLD with subsequent winding, a lot of movement and also education.
With pleasure! 🙂
Hi your article is great and helpful. I'm supposed to go to rehab too, but my doctor doesn't know how.
Unfortunately, the forms here do not run out. Can you write me this extra again. thank you
Hi Jennifer, thank you! You can also find the forms online on the pension insurance website. Many greetings
Caroline
Hello, I came across this site by chance. I've always had the feeling of being helpless and alone, but there are many people here who feel the same way as me. I've had lip/lypedema stage 2014, beginning of 2 since 3. Unfortunately, I can't do manual lymphatic drainage 4 times a week because my shifts can't be aligned with the therapists' schedules. A vacuum hose to do this yourself at home was rejected. I have now applied for rehab through the RV, as unfortunately nothing can be expected from the KK. Now I'm eagerly waiting for an answer.