concerned about flying

Chloe, I second what sas-schatzi said.

I have lymphedema and elevation is my biggest trigger. However, I have never had a problem flying as of yet and my longest flight has been 6 hours straight. Here is what I do:

Cut out salt starting the day before and that day, I normally eat low salt but I cut it out completely

If possible, get a workout in that day. Even a walk, to get the lymph system pumping. Sometimes I have to fly super early though so then I don't do it.

Put my compression garmet on at the airport right before I fly and I take if off after I land (usually do both in the airport bathroom)

Most important ( I have noticed a difference if I do not do this) pump my arm every 30 mins at least 10 times. What I do it put it above my head like I am stretching and then I pump my fist open and closed about 10 times, then i bend my elbow and straighten it about 10 times. Since it is my left arm that is a problem, I try to get the aisle seat on the right side of the plane to have the space but I have been stuck more than once at the window or middle seat and it still seems to work. I am also almost 6 feet tall and have long arms so I am probably not normal in that regard,haha.

Best of luck!

Anna

Hi Cannoli1, if you don't have lymphedema now I would not worry much about flying or driving. I fly 4 hour flights every couple of weeks and have not noticed any impact. I do not wear any compression sleeves.

This was note I posted in Jan. Therapist showed me how to clear the lymph stations working toward my chest but doing it in sections starting at the armpit working toward the hand. Need to be taught how to do this by certified person I did it on the plane and had no problem

Went to lymphedema therapist at Hopkins Found her on APTA website under "find a therapist" link and then link for specialty "cancer" she is awesome and showed me how to self treat the axillary swelling. Went on an airplane and worked my arm in flight as instructed . No problem! So grateful!

Just a thought. We write about using a sleeve and gauntlet when flying, but I think adding a compression garment might also be a good idea for prevention of truncal LE. Though if using one with a sleeve, you want to make sure that the sleeve of the shirt worn doesn't constrict the upper arm.

Agree that we cannot generalize our experiences, but this is what this website is for - personal experiences. In terms of prevention, I found regular exercise might be in fact very helpful for both restoring range of motion and keeping lymphedema at bay for those of us who don't have it (yet.) Regular exercise should include small weight lifting and preferably be done with an instructor or coach (at the beginning.) I am not talking heavy weights, one would start with no weights and very gradually add small weights 1->2->3->5 lb. I am at 5 - 10 lb depending on the type of exercise. Found it to be very helpful. Still, I check all my luggage in when I fly alone to avoid lifting anything heavy when boarding.

muska, I sure do agree that this website is for the wonderful opportunity to share our experiences.

Here's a link to a document that gives lots of details underlying the great start-low advice muska gave about weightlifting, which indeed has been shown to have some benefits for LE risk reduction: http://stepup-speakout.org/Handout%20doc%20for%20S...

windgirl, I did not have rads, and go figure, but my mother did, and in doses that would never happen today. If you still have a bit of arm swelling before your trip, well...you gotta live your life, too, so I'm hoping you know how to do manual lymph drainage on yourself, which could come in handy when you arrive in Europe and may need to nudge the bugger lymph along.

Also, a few days ago I had some surgery, and when I awoke I found my arm was in a blissful state of no ache, no burning, no swelling, which I think may just be the super amount of hydration I was getting through the IV (nicely inserted in my other arm). That's my reminder that hydration really does make a difference, and now that I'm home and drinking my normal coffee, and not getting all the water I really should, and wine with dinner, I'm back to LE arm issues. I remember someone else long ago posting a similar experience about a happy arm after an IV. For you, windgirl, maybe there's a take-away--hydrate to the max as you travel, and avoid alcohol and caffeine because they tend to dehydrate. Well, avoid during the actual travel time, as once you arrive at your destination, 'you gotta live your life' most certainly applies, especially if this is a trip for fun!

Carol

wanted to share my experience. Over the past 3 weeks I have flown three 9 hour flights and three other short flights. I wore my sleeve and glove during all of them. I had absolutely no effect from the shorter flights. I did keep my sleeve and glove on for 4-5 hours after each of the longer flights. While my hand did look swollen after I took off the compression, that I think was from the glove pushing all fluid to the top middle partof my hand. For all three pretty much within a day my hand was almost back to normal and in fact better than how it was prior to me starting the trips.

I did avoid alcohol and drank more water than usual and tried to get up a few times. So, flying, while a bit more inconvenient, was a nonevent. I have one more 9 hour flight coming up in a few days and hope to have the same experience. Hope this helps others who may be looking for this info. however my LE is very mild so maybe for others it may be differen

Bump

Dear all, i will be flying for the first time post-surgery and treatments. 80% of my trip will be to mountainous areas. May I ask above what altitude should i start wearing arm sleeve/glove? I'm at risk of lymphedema (stage 1) so I don't normally wear arm sleeve for long hours. The thought that i have to wear it throughout the trip sucks...

I am considered high risk. Not just because they took 6 nodes and my pec muscle, but because they radiated the heck out of the remaining nodes, and also because I have cording and truncal LE. And have gained a huge amount of weight.

The thing is, if you develop LE, you will be stuck with a painful, disfiguring, expensive disease forever. Just read through the "I hate LE!" threads for an idea how it destroys your life. Compression garments cost a fortune and are not covered by insurance. Same with the LE therapist. Is that really a chance you are willing to take? I guess if you had to travel for work, or something, and were low risk, then maybe.