Traveling to high altitudes

AmyIsStrong
AmyIsStrong Member Posts: 1,755
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Ladies - thank you so much in advance for help with this question.

You may remember me from a few months ago when I was going to fly and my onc would not write an Rx for a sleeve/gauntlet. Well, the surgeon finally did, and I have flown on two trips (4 flights) and worn it successfully all four times.

I only had 2 nodes removed and have never had any problems with LE but am determined to do everything I can to avoid it (partially due to the amazing help and education I have received here).

So...we are talking about a trip to the Pacific Northwest in a few months. I am so excited. But we will be at high altitudes - not just the plane ride, but driving and hiking on mountains (7,000' or more). What do I do in that instance?  The sleeve/gauntlet is not awful to wear but it does bother my thumb a bit after a while.  Is it warranted for me to wear all the time, or put on a few hours/day, or wear at certain times specifically, or just not worry about?
Any advice is much appreciated!

Thank you ladies.

(As an aside, I had my yearly mammo today. Was a little nervous but not too bad. Saw the surgeon afterwards -she said everything was fine and "see you next year."  Sweetest words ever - SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!  Love it!)

Amy

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Comments

  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited February 2011

    I am anxiously awaiting responses.  I live at 5,000 ft altitude and travel to 8,000 altitude 3 times a week. Never thought to wear my sleeve before but maybe I should rethink this?

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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited February 2011

    Jbin0k - if you want to meet for lunch for something if you hit this area - give me a shout - always love to meet new people!

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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited February 2011

    I guess I should consider wearing my sleeve when I am riding my horse in the higher elevations?

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited February 2011

    Amy and Jancie, the higher elevation compression issue is analagous to the flying with compression advice: those with LE are advised to use compression and those at risk are advised to consider it.

    I think that for Jancie--I remember you swelled some in the past, I would go by symptoms. Does your arm hurt at the higher elevation, does it hurt after you ride, do you notice any swelling and try with and without and see what works better--it's trial and error sometimes. (A lot of the times)

    JBinok--you're in the prophylactic sleeve category, so you wear it if it appears that you are at risk--how proactive your care is, that's great!

    Those at risk and those with LE should almost always wear hand compression with a sleeve, so as not to trap the fluid in the hand--Amy--congrats on your mammogram, and maybe consider a new gauntlet.

    I'm going to link to the Andrea Cheville article on why hand compression is important, and the NLN position papers--refer to the flying one.

    Tough decisions, but the main thing is to protect yourself and monitor your symptoms.

    I have LE, primarily in my hand and forearm, and fly with a night garment/Solaris on, and haven't been to high altitude, but would sure have my gloves and sleeves ready (I got a horrible altitude headache at an amazing dude ranch in the Pike's Peak National Forest--great horses and the place is spectacular, but I ran up a hill, my first day there, coming from sea level, and regretted it.)

    http://lymphedivas.com/lymphedema/gauntletandsleeve/

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

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  • dreaming
    dreaming Member Posts: 473
    edited February 2011

    I go every year to La Paz Bolivia, it is 12.000 feet high, in the Andes, travel in the country going to lower and even higher cities.

     I wear my sleeve only for the 12 to 14 hrs. flight. from the USA there. Never had a problem.

    I usually stay a month and the last time 6 months. I had 18 lymph nodes removed.

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  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 2,101
    edited February 2011

    I live in northern AZ at about 3,500 ft.  When I travel 45 minutes north I am at 7,500 ft, 45 minutes south, its 5,500 ft. Drive another hour south and I am just above sea level.  I do notice that if I spend more than a few hours at the higher elevations I start to ache. If I spend the night, I am in pain and the swelling is noticeable (I have learned to wrap since then and that is my stand by). 

    I guess I am just more susceptible to altitude changes, is it any wonder I am terrified to fly...

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited February 2011

    o2bhealthy--I limited my flying for a couple of years, and then flew with a Solaris--seemed easier than wrapping, and it worked out just fine. I live at sea level.

    Every one is different, but it makes sense that if higher barometric pressures--especially with rapid ascent, can cause high altitude pulmonary edema, high altitude cerebral edema--high altitudes can cause edema by lowering the pressure on our vessels and other mechanisms.

    I struggle with balance--how to manage my LE and how to try not to limit me. You have all the "tools" compression wear, know how to wrap--it you want to fly, the safest bet is wrap, but compression is reasonable too.

    Kira

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