One of the most frequently asked questions when someone has a diagnosis is:
"What happens now, what do I have to do?"
After the diagnosis is in front of the medical supply store
Here I would like to pass on my experiences to you, tell you what is important to me in a medical supply store and what is a must or a no-go for me.
- If possible, always call or visit several medical supply stores.
- How do the employees behave, do they respond to you?
- Am I perceived as a person and treated with respect?
- Does this medical supply store have a broad selection?
- Cleanliness and hygiene
- expertise
First of all, these are the rough points that need to be considered.
Good research is everything
The first thing I would do is ask the WorldWideWeb about medical supply stores. They often have great websites where you can learn a lot about them. Photos of employees, what they specialize in and of course something like opening times, and maybe even photos of the premises.
Now you can consider whether you would rather go there in person and ask for an appointment or call in advance. The characters are different there. I always find it important whether the person responds to my needs or just works through them bluntly.
That is one of the most important points for me. A good medical supply store is at your side when perhaps nobody can anymore. Adjusting a compression fitting is an incredibly intimate and private moment, because compression changes your whole life and it is very important that you feel that you are in good hands and can trust your medical supply store and especially the Sani-Fee. Even in the event of any complaints, changes or worsening of the disease, the medical supply store is your contact (of course after and in consultation with your doctor) but they usually know a lot better than a doctor and can give you and often the doctor many good tips . Of course, a medical supply store also has its limits and can only be as good as you let it be.
A good selection is always an advantage
Many medical supply stores specialize in one manufacturer or have several well-trained sanitary facilities in-house who can measure you depending on the brand. It is best to have different manufacturers and to work with you to find the perfect manufacturer for you and your needs. This may take a while, but there is a compression garment for everyone. Be patient.
Of course, cleanliness and hygiene play a very important role. If a shop is not in a good condition, then unfortunately this often reflects the cleanliness of the employees. Everything that happens to people must always be clean and hygienic. I am aware that everyone of you knows this, but for the sake of clarity I would of course like to leave this point out.
Trust is good, control can't hurt?
And now the point that makes many stomach aches. The subject of expertise! Many of us have now become our own little specialists. This is part of the subject of self-management and is essential if you have a chronic illness. I think that's very good and I support it. Nevertheless, of course, employees in a medical supply store often have years of experience and know their way around wonderfully. Here it is important to trust, but of course never blindly. Questioning, exchanging ideas and communicating are the be-all and end-all. On the one hand, you may learn something more and, on the other hand, your contact person will see that you also know your way around and, in my experience, a good relationship develops.
I have already got to know many medical supply stores and I can really say that my experience was mostly very positive. Nevertheless, it is important that you always think of yourself and not allow yourself to be influenced too much. You are responsible for yourself and your health, nobody can do that for you and I can only say: "Fortunately!"
Share experiences and help everyone
These are some experiences that I have gained over the years and that I consider to be very important. I would of course like to learn more about your experiences. What is particularly important to you and what is not. Have you already found a great fitting compression and have you found a great medical supply store or is that not so important to you?
Hello Britta!
Thank goodness I found a medical supply store that I'm very satisfied with. Despite the specialist knowledge, there is a lack of experience with lipedema sufferers. I just want to say that the Sani-Feen (and “Feeneriche ?!) are very grateful if you keep giving feedback. For example, I discovered that I was the first pregnant woman (!) In my Sanihaus, the one Compression needed.
LG Mila
PS:
I can only recommend Juzo's pregnancy compression. In contrast to the Medi supply, this one has a body part that can be adjusted with Velcro. This was very pleasant, as the stomach does not have the same volume throughout the day or it has grown very adequately 🙂
The tips for finding a medical supply store are helpful, thank you! For me, the choice is in the foreground so that I can find everything there for my mother in need of care. At the moment the rollator is on the list, which has to meet different criteria. Free for the hints!