I was/am treated for lymphadeam. I can't remember the stage, but it was reversable, although I still have swelling. Which from what I read can actually take up to 18 months to resolve. I wore the sleeve and glove until the therapist said things were under control. I still wear it when my arm feels more tingly than usual. My arm always feels tingly because of the nerve being severed during surgery.
I've slept for a year now (surgery was last July) with my arms raised on two pillows. I kind of laught at myself because now I don't know how to sleep any other way and I was always a stomach sleeper
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I am always paranoid about the lymphedema flaring up horribly so might be overly cautious. My surgeon commented that there are probably way too many people walking around with compression garments.
Anyway, I've started an exercise bootcamp several weeks ago, highly scared that I would hurt myself and cause a flareup...I wear my sleeve and glove, and some days even a few hours after class, especially if we've done a lot of push ups....
All this to say...I've seen progress, but I'm always scared, ready to put my sleeve on at a moment's notice.
I also read that many endurance athletes are wearing compression garments to prevent swelling; obviously a controversial subject...but having read that, eases my mind some at what little swelling I may have and feel that if I'm diligent with my sleeve, manual draining techniques and exercises, hopefully I can keept it at bay.