Flying without a compression sleeve

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etherize
etherize Member Posts: 423
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

I'm going to be flying to Seattle next month.  The longest I'll be in the air will be 2 hours (one way has a stop so I'll only be in the air for an hour at a time on that flight).

My problem is I haven't been able to get a compression sleeve that fits properly, according to the step up-speak out website.  My arm bulges at the top and the sleeve leaves deep impressions there.  (I have tried 3 different sleeves so far ...)

So I'm wondering which is worse, flying without a compression sleeve or wearing one that probably doesn't fit properly.  I've taken 2 lymphedema classes, and in the first, the PT said if she were taking a short flight (like to Seattle) she wouldn't be too concerned about not wearing a sleeve, but she'd make sure she elevated her arm and stretched it, etc.

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  • cbm
    cbm Member Posts: 475
    edited July 2012

    Hi; I have only mild LE, though I have regular PT and two sleeves that I only wear for flying and for longish walks in the Florida heat.  I flew to Chicago and back several months ago (maybe three hour legs?), and realized a month later that I had completely forgotten the sleeve--that is, didn't wear it, didn't pack it, and didn't even look up once and say OMG, I forgot my sleeve.  Thank you, Femara, for the memory lapse.

    Nothing happened, though I'm sure it could have.  I tend to pack heavy and for me the sleeve is also a reminder not to hoist that carry-on over my head, and so on.  

    My sleeves don't fit very well either and I have the same problem with the impressions at the top of my arm.  However, when I remember it, the sleeve does give me a sense of security.  I do know someone who did not fare well without a sleeve on a flight, but I don't know how long a flight, nor her history.  Most of the women I know who have had breast surgery always wear a sleeve when flying, even if they don't have any LE.

    Warmly,

    Cathy 

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  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
    edited July 2012

    Etherize, I fly quite often for work. My flights range from short, one-hour flights followed by a short connection layover and another 1-2 hour flight; to cross-country flights of 4-5 hours' duration.  My LE is pretty mild.  Before I got my sleeve, I wore one-size-too-tight long-sleeve Under Armour compression-fit shirts, inside-out.  Not a fabulous fashion statement, and I made sure I wore something over top that did not give the appearance I was wearing two layers --never wanted TSA to insist I remove my 'outerwear' and then be standing there in a skin-tight, inside-out shirt.  That method worked pretty well, although I find I get fewer post-flight LE aches and tingles now that I'm wearing my sleeve and gauntlet.  

    What's galling about LE is how unpredictable it is--from one person to the next, and in ourselves, from one situation to the next, same situation.  Were it me, I'd wear at least some compression, and if your sleeve does not fit well, that one could well be counter-productive, as you are imagining.  Do you have a gauntlet to wear with arm compression?  Wearing a sleeve without hand protection is asking for trouble...if you have no gauntlet, the UnderArmour's lower compression might be a safer option than wearing a sleeve with more compression, to protect fluid from migrating into your hand as you fly. Maybe get a gauntlet, for quick delivery?  Brightlife direct sells one by Allegro that is very inexpensive, and when I compare it to my Jobst, it looks and feels the same; it just sits a little higher up on my forearm than the Jobst.

    Keeping your arm elevated is a very good idea in flight, and every half hour or so, put the arm straight up in the air and pump your fist 20 times.  Do deep abdominal breathing, and clear your neck nodes from time to time, if you've been shown that by the therapist.  If you wear an UnderArmour, put it on hours before the flight and leave it on for a few hours afterward.  Watch out for the heavy bag problem as Cathy mentioned.

    And...good luck with this!  It should not be this difficult to get a sleeve that fits, for cryin' out loud!

    Carol 

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited July 2012

    I have mild Lymphedema, but it has been under control during Radiation thanks to my Lymphedema PT.  Anyway, my

    Radiology Nurse (11 yr BC survivor) told me just yesterday that she flew without a sleeve on a 2 hr flight - Detroit to

    NYC.  Her arm swelled up 3 times its size.  She warned me to  never fly without a sleeve or wrapping it.

    My Lymphedema PT taught me how to wrap for a flight.  I like it better as it is not so tight.

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  • etherize
    etherize Member Posts: 423
    edited July 2012

    Thanks for the replies, everybody!  My lymphedema is very mild so far, but Denise-G, that is really scary about the nurse's arm swelling that much.  

    Carol, I do have a gauntlet (also a glove) that I would wear with the sleeve.  Thanks for the specific tips on other things I can do.  I'll look into the Under Armour shirts too.

    After reading all your comments, I'm leaning more toward wearing the sleeve I have (the one with the least compression) rather than going without.  I just wish it weren't so hard to find something that fits!

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  • etherize
    etherize Member Posts: 423
    edited August 2012

    Well, I'm back from my trip -- I did wear the sleeve and gauntlet with the least compression.  No problems so far! :-)

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited August 2012

    Etherize, thanks for checking in and letting us know how it went. Hope the trip was successful in every way. Any issues with TSA?

    Stay well!
    Binney

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  • kcshreve
    kcshreve Member Posts: 1,148
    edited August 2012

    Just came back from 2 flights.  Previously had worn gauntlets.  This time wore gloves.  Worked way better.  I also had support thigh-highs, since my legs do a bit of swelling. What a lovely ensemble i had going.  In the end, it was the most comfortable flight I've had a very long time.  Go compression....everywhere!

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  • etherize
    etherize Member Posts: 423
    edited August 2012

    Binney, no issues with the TSA.  On the flight out, one woman said she wanted to look at my sleeve, but I just barely pulled up the sleeve of my shirt and she sent me through.

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited August 2012

    KC and Etherize, all good!Smile Once we have the tools and know-how to cope with this stuff it's such a relief.
    Be well,
    Binney

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  • liefie
    liefie Member Posts: 2,440
    edited August 2012

    Where can I find info on how to wrap my arm/hand for a flight? I don't have lymphedema, but had 4 nodes removed and also had radiation in that axilla area recently. I live in a small town, will not be able to buy a compression sleeve here and will be flying next week. I want to take precautions, because I don't want  to trigger lymphedema. So the wrapping seems like a good option at this stage. Can anyone help, please?

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  • YYC18tillIdie
    YYC18tillIdie Member Posts: 13
    edited August 2012

    I am flying to Ottawa on Sept 5, I go for MLD massage in the morning before my flight, I will have my best sleeve on for the trip, have the #'s of a MLD massage therapist at my destination, and have a massage booked for the day after my return. After reading everyones posts, I will be sure to stay hydrated and do simple exercise while in flight. I will also bring my wraps should I need them while we are there (thank goodness Richard is a pro at wrapping my arm :) ). I can't wait to go thru Airport Security (I am packing my donning glove in my carry on in case they make me take my sleeve off). My big concern is what will they say about the magnets in my chest? I will be armed with my "magnet on board" card from my PS.

    Anyone ever have issues flying with these little tidbits? LOL

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  • etherize
    etherize Member Posts: 423
    edited August 2012

    liefie, I think you'd need a lymphedema therapist to show you how to wrap your arm, it's not a simple thing.  But maybe somebody else has an idea.

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  • jinky
    jinky Member Posts: 746
    edited August 2012

    I would wrap my arm 1 hour before flying and leave it wrapped for 1 hour after if I didn't have a sleeve to fit me. Better safe than sorry and have your LE progress to stage 2 like mine. le hugs jinky

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