Flying

hopefor30

Flying

Suzybelle

Hi, Hope:

Welcome and I'm so glad you're just visiting because you want to avoid LE...and a great way to do that is to wear the compression sleeve and gauntlet when flying.  You need to protect your hand as well as your arm.  Anyone at risk for LE needs to wear them...and you need to go to someone who can measure you and fit you accurately.  A certifiied LE therapist is what you need.  I would call my breast surgeon or oncologist and request a referrel to an LE therapist.  There is great info. on all of this on www.stepup-speakout.org

 Best of luck to you!  Go on the vacation and have a blast but do get fitted for a sleeve and gauntlet for your hand.

Suzanne

toomuch

Hopefor30- Here is a link for the step-up/speak-out lymphedema website on reducing risk of lymphedema. The site has a lot of evidence based information regarding lymphedema. They do recommend that you wear a sleeve and gauntlet/glove when you fly as a preventative measure. It is very important that you are fitted properly for these items.

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/riskreduction_for_lymphedema.htm

I hope that you have a wonderful trip!

toomuch

Oops, it looks like I was replying the same time as Suzanne. Sorry for the redundant information!

steelrose

Hi hopefor30...

I had my mastectomy last Nov. and was on a plane 2 weeks later. No arm sleeve. I didn't even know there was such a thing then, and both my oncologist and breast surgeon knew I was going on the flight. In January I developed some cording and mild lymphedema. I have been stretching every day and just recently it seems to have improved. But I did go on another plane trip about a week ago, again with no sleeve. When I saw my oncologist yesterday she asked if I had any more plane trips planned (she didn't know about the last one), and recommended the arm sleeve. So like you, I'm not sure if I should be wearing one or not. Maybe the cording/lymphedema developed because of my first flight? And could a sleeve do more damage than good, as you mentioned? More questions than answers from me, but wanted you to know that you're not alone in your concern. 

Wishing you the best...

Rose.

CynthiainChicago

Hi -

I had 41 nodes removed,yep, 41. I record as far as I can tell. I had my surgery in another state and flew three times with my surgical drain in! No LE. For safty defintely wear a compression garment an hour before and an hour after the flight and you should be fine. (Never heard anyone say a compression garment that fits correctly can cause any harm.)

I second the advice to have a professional fit you with your first sleeve and gaunlet. Now that I know my size, I order them over the net. Not only have I taken a dozen short domestic flights within my first year after surgery (and big time chemo, radiation etc), I have been overseas twice. No problems. Drink lots of water, move around on the plane if you can and have fun! 

mumito

Hope | am at risk like you since 08 have been flying regularly without any problems but on longer flights I get up walk around and do some arm exercises in my seat to help with  circulation.Also do not wear anything tight on my arms durring flights like watch or braclets.It seems to work for me.Good Luck

Omaz

I would suggest a compression garment as well.  About fitting, I had a professional give me a very poor fit that aggravated my problem.  See the step up speak out website to make sure your garments fit properly - come all the way to your wrist and are not so tight at the top that your arm bulges over.  Mine was to short and too tight. I went back and described the problem to them, my LE therapist (who doesn't sell compression garments) also called them and they exchanged it for the correct size.  Much better now.  Good luck.  It isn't too much trouble to wear a sleeve, better safe than symptoms.

kira66715

Hopefor30,

  The National Lymphedema network has position papers on flying: for at risk women, they should consider their risk and consider getting a sleeve AND GAUNTLET--some women go with the low compression Jobst sleeve--15-20mm, and I know a great LE PT who supports that approach.

Never just wear a sleeve, as it can push fluid into the hand.

Here's the NLN link

http://www.lymphnet.org/lymphedemaFAQs/positionPapers.htm

I fly wrapped, but I already have LE.

Kira

Omaz

kira - makes me wonder if going up to 9,000 ft on top of the nearby mountain is a risk too?

kira66715

Omaz, funny you should mention that--I'm on vacation--I normally live at sea level, and we went for a day trip a couple of days ago, and went to 8000 feet. I did wear my compression glove that goes up to my forearm, and did okay. I've vacationed in Colorado at 9000 feet and got high altitude headache--but that was before LE.

Kira

Nicole112

I travel 3 times a quarter (YES once a month) for work... I wear my sleeve and I am good

Nicole