Flying while on Tamoxifen

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AMLMom
AMLMom Member Posts: 102
edited June 2019 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

This may be a silly question but should I be wearing compression socks during a long-haul flight or a compression stocking just for my one arm where nodes were received? I have seen reference in articles to breast cancer patients on tamoxifen wearing compression socks. So two socks and two arm sleeves? Or just socks, or just one sleeve? I’m so confused!! I would appreciate any advice

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  • Sjacobs146
    Sjacobs146 Member Posts: 770
    edited June 2019

    I'd check with your doctor. I don't wear any compression sleeves or socks when I fly, but I don't have any signs of lymphadema

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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited June 2019

    I don't either. Never had any signs of lymphedema.

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  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited June 2019

    I think that's a very good question for the docs. Tamoxifen increases your chance of blood clots and so does flying so that's the issue there. As far as compression sleeves IMO they are not necessary without any signs of lymphedema. Good luck and keep us posted.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2019

    Two oncologists and a surgeon recommended I wear a sleeve and a glove for travel. But the majority of cancer patients I've read in this forum say they don't wear them. I'M CONFUSED!

    The sleeve and glove will cost me $240 ... nothing covered by insurance so it's out-of-pocket...and I'm still chocking at the cost of the ticket). I have no signs of lymphedema that I'm aware. The flight is three thousand miles one way, including getting up very early for the shuttle ride to the airport, two hour wait before takeoff, 7 1/2 flight , then at least an hour ride to my sister's home from the airport. Talking 13-14 hours travel...if things go as expected.

    Will I be Penny Wise, Pound Foolish if I don't get the sleeve and glove? Is it worth the potential risk to not wear them? I could sure use the $240 instead of spending it on something I'm only going to use once. (I'm 75 and pretty sure this will be my last trip by plane).

    btw, I did get isle seats (which I usually hate) because I've been told I should move my left arm around a lot during the flight. Have a long list of dos and dont's gleaned from doing research.

    Thanks for any additional thoughts and insights.


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  • edj3
    edj3 Member Posts: 2,076
    edited June 2019

    I'm not on tamoxifen at the moment (still in radiation treatments) and I'm meeting with the lymphedema specialist at 2 this afternoon for much the same sort of thing.

    I'll be flying to Idaho (about a four hour flight), then spending the week at much higher elevation than where I live (7000 feet vs 900 feet).

    Plus I'm an avid fitness nut and know from past experience that I tend to over do things. So for me it's probably worth it to shell out the money.

    So that's one perspective.

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited June 2019

    At the recommendation of my nurse, MO, and PT: On flights over ~4 hours, and sometimes on them, too, I wear compression stockings and gauntlets/sleeves (I had nodes out on both sides), stay hydrated, get up at least every 2 hours and do squats plus leg and arm flexes, and a manual lymphatic drainage. In the absence of good research, I would rather over-do my precautions than risk LE.

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  • AMLMom
    AMLMom Member Posts: 102
    edited June 2019

    Thank you so much. I’m going to Singapore from Toronto, so It’s a long flight! I asked the pharmacist but she had no idea. She said it should be fine, but it sounds like others are getting different advice. Iwill call the MO tomorrow and ask him.

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited June 2019

    The arm sleeve stuff is controversial, but tamoxifen increases your risk of clots. Get up and move a lot, pump your legs while sitting, and drink water. Hopefully your MO told you that. Mine said don't sit for more than 2 hours.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2019

    AMLMom, I read your original question again and hope I'm not misunderstanding when you asked about wearing a compression stocking for the arm where nodes were removed.

    It is my understanding that over the counter compression stockings won't do. The compression arm and glove need to be measured and fitted by a specialist. Part of my cancer treatment was having lymphedema education. As I'm getting ready to travel next month, I went to a special store that measured my arm and hand. I have to order it soon, as it could take up to two weeks to get.

    Lymphedema Risk During Air Travel

    The specialist didn't mention wearing compression socks but it's a good question.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited June 2019

    If you do not require a custom sleeve/gauntlet/glove you can buy online from a reputable supplier for less than $100 per set. I get my sleeves and gauntlets from a durable medical equipment supplier but I go through them because my insurance covers my costs. The exact same products I am prescribed can be ordered online here:

    https://www.lymphedemaproducts.com/products/juzo-soft-2000-arm-sleeve.html

    https://www.lymphedemaproducts.com/products/juzo-soft-gauntlet-ac.html

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited June 2019

    SpecialK,

    How did you determine your compression needs initially? I have bought sleeves/gauntlets on line, but only after my LE therapist measured me. I would not have known how to determine the correct size/compression level on my own

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited June 2019

    exbrnxgirl - I was initially diagnosed and treated by a certified LE therapist at an NCI center. She wrote me a prescription for the degree of compression and the specific garments I required and gave me a list of providers that I could see. I still see the same provider for replacement sleeves and gauntlets (I wear bi-lat) because they bill my insurance. If I want extra sets I can order online. For someone undiagnosed wearing compression prophylactically the lightest level of compression (20-30 mmHg) would likely be appropriate, but if patients are being advised to wear compression for prevention by physicians or therapists I hope they are including this information.

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