wear compression shirt AFTER flying?

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carol57
carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

I am sitting at an airport departure gate, waiting to board flight #3 today, on my way home. Day before yesterday, I flew three flights wearing an Under Armor shirt, then stayed in the shirt while doing some cardio working out at my hotel. A few hours later, I changed out of the shirt (yes...sweated in it, but thought I should keep the compression going for the evening).



During the night, woke up with heavy feeling in (diep) breasts and noticeable swelling on my trunk below armpit where I had SNB in July. That swelling has not resolved, but in the compression shirt today, I FEEL better. Here's my question: in everyone's experience, is it generally worthwhile to keep the compression on for a time after flying, and if so, how long? I'm chalking the swelling after flying earlier this week to a lesson learned: cardio with arm pumping was probably inviting lymph overload.



Saw an MD who describes himself as an LE specialist last week, driving there straight from the airport. Had worn the shirt and had no trunk swelling, but perometer measured my SNB arm 10% more volume than the other arm. MD pronounced me 'subclinical' and deferred ok for LE therapy for the time being; wants to see me again in 3 months. I'll be finding another doc now, but in the meantime, from those of you who know LE well I hope to find quality advice on the best shirt strategy for when I arrive home tonight-- and next week when work has me flying again. Should I SLEEP in the darn thing?



Time to board...will look for answers in a few hours!



What would we do without each other?



Carol

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  • kcshreve
    kcshreve Member Posts: 1,148
    edited November 2011

    I had DIEP recon, too, and swell in my trunk, arm, and breast. Regarding wearing compression shirts, I wear them much of the time during the day.  I wear compression sleeves when I'm not in a compression shirt.  I would not recommend sleeping in them if the sleeve is constricting at the wrist at all, since that would be very tight while one sleeps. It's recommended to keep compression on for at least an hour before and after flying.  I keep it on longer, since flying really does aggravate my symptoms.  It sounds like you've not had any MLD treatments yet. Knowing how to do MLD does give one more way to be in charge of LE.  Wishing you the best.  - KC

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  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
    edited November 2011

    KC,

    Thanks so much for sharing your experience with this. I kept the shirt on last night for about four hours after flying, only because I had to go a few places from the airport, before eventually getting home. I still have swelling--quite noticeable now, on the trunk under my armpit, and the outside of that breast. I don't want to know what would have happened had I not worn the shirt before, during and after flying!

    You are so right about not knowing how to do MLD yet.  Arrrghhh!  I talked with a therapist (LANA certified no less) several weeks ago, thinking I would make an appointment with her for an evaluation.  She's the only LANA certified therapist within several hours of my home.  I changed my mind about seeing her when she told me that since I wasn't seeing swelling in my arm, I could not have truncal LE, because truncal always has arm invovlvement. 

    Then I found a 'comprehensive' LE clinic an hour from home, at a big hospital system. Was measured and they found the 10% volume difference arm/arm, so I guess there is arm involvement, only I don't see or feel it. Despite the measure, the doctor said it's premature to work with a therapist, because he didn't see any signs of pitting anywhere.  I had no symptoms that day.  That was last week, after waiting a good bit to get an appointment. 

    Now I am home for a few days, and I have my list of therapists to call.  Our little town's hospital rehab manager told me yesterday he has two certified LE therapists, and I need to check that out, because as much as I would love to find a therapist without driving an hour, their names did not pop up when I checked all the sources suggested on the Stand Up Speak Out 'how to find a therapist' resource.  Double arrghhhhh!

    It should not be this hard to be taken seriously and find a therapist who's competent to help! 

    I've had this crazy swelling for about 60 hours now, where in the past it used to resolve on its own, so I know perfectly well that I need help with MLD to escort that lymph elsewhere. What frustration!

    Thanks again for your post. Much appreciated!

    Carol

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  • BeckySharp
    BeckySharp Member Posts: 935
    edited November 2011

    Carol--Keep working at finding a good therapist.  By the time I got a good one I was beyond pitting--Stage 2.  MLD can make a world of difference.  Becky

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  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
    edited November 2011

    Thank you, Becky. It's priority#1 for me now.

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited November 2011

    Brava, Carol! Early stage LE is quicker to treat and can be kept in control more easily, so go for it!

    Keep us posted and let us know what you discover. Hugs,
    Binney

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2011

    Carol, I was so busy having my own freak out yesterday about traveling today that I missed your post. Agree with keeping compression on at least an hour after the flight. So sorry you had this occur while away from home. I wish you the best in finding a good LE therapist. You are so wise to deal with this early - as Binney says, it is much easier to manage.

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