High Altitude

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mcgis
mcgis Member Posts: 291
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Hi! Anyone live in high altitude areas: Colorado...? They say that can aggravate your LE more. My parents live in CO and I'm nervous about flying because it's like a double whammy (flying and altitude) against me. I for sure will wear my glove and sleeve and am going to get a compression shirt just to give myself a little more support. I'll drink lots of water and get an isle seat so I can move around. I live at sea level and don't normally wear a sleeve unless my arm is feeling heavy... I imagine while in CO I will have to wear it daily??

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited April 2014

    Hi Mcgis,

    You'll definitely get some helpful advice here from other members with experience, but you may also find some helpful information on the main Breastcancer.org site's page on Lymphedema Risk Factors; scroll down to What About Airplane Travel?

    We hope this helps!

    --The Mods

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  • hugz4u
    hugz4u Member Posts: 2,781
    edited April 2014

    Binney and I notice a difference. I am at sea level and my arm gets cranky about 3,000 ft or so. Visited Yellowstone park and around the 6,000 ft level and up made my arm ache. 10,000 ft almost made me cry...so achy.

    I find that once I get to a lower altitude it feels better about a half hour later. Especially if I can walk it out. Sounds like you are going to do all the right things. Deep belly breaths too. Let us know how you do so we can learn from your experiences.

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  • Amoc1973
    Amoc1973 Member Posts: 158
    edited April 2014

    I've been to Colorado 2x recently. I've had mild LE for prob 8 months. A couple months ago I decided to see what happened if I didn't wear my sleeve daily. I've been stable. Sometimes have a bad day or so but goes back to 'normal'. Same exact measurements as when I wore the sleeve daily (actually its a little better). I wore the garments to fly to CO then I wore it a couple days when I arrived, but it bugged me so bad I took it off to ski one day & all was good the entire trip. I was at almost 11,000 feet when skiing. 9,000 everyday. Not saying you'll be the same but I was super worried too & all was good. I think my body is adjusting & stabilizing. I did wear it flying...but the cabin is pressurized to around 6000 feet.....so in theory better than being on the ground in CO but I did anyway. CO is fantastic! Have fun!! 

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited April 2014

    mcgis, for most of us the problem is with altitude (or barometric pressure) CHANGES. After a period of adjustment with the garments, your lymph system will most likely adjust if you stay awhile in CO. You have all the strategies in place to have a wonderful visit! Let us know how it goes!

    Happy travels!
    Binney

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  • mcgis
    mcgis Member Posts: 291
    edited April 2014

    Thanks all! Not sure when I'm going. My parents are in Boulder and I haven't been home since my diagnosis last March so I'm due for a trip. 

    Amoc, your story is encouraging. I know I could be totally different but here at home I don't have to wear a sleeve everyday for my arm does pretty well without one. On occasion it will feel heavy or ache and then I'll wear it for a bit. I do need a glove though. And there are times when I'll take it off for a brief period of time and it is OK. Do you wear a glove or gauntlet?

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  • Amoc1973
    Amoc1973 Member Posts: 158
    edited April 2014

    I use a gauntlet when I wear it. I prob needed a glove but couldn't handle it. Luckily things calmed down after about 6 mo of nonstop wearing of compression & although my hand is slightly affected its hardly noticeable.  In CO I used the sleeve/gauntlet when I first arrived. It drove me nuts trying to ski. Not sure how high boulder is as I go to telluride. But 11,000 feet is pretty friggin high as you know.  I struggled a bit with the altitude (not my arm) as far as energy. But so did all my friends & none of them have had chemo, etc.  See how you do this first trip. I bet you'll do great. I brought my night sleeve in case but didn't have any problems so didn't need it. 

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  • Amoc1973
    Amoc1973 Member Posts: 158
    edited April 2014

    oh. Btw...I live at sea level in real life. 

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  • Renee51
    Renee51 Member Posts: 96
    edited April 2014

    Does anyone know when you are permitted to fly post mastectomy? I am recently diagnosed with DCIS. My husband surprised me with an alaskan cruise, which means I would be flying from the east coast to the west coast. any information will be helpful..

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