Help with Flying

phurst · 07-21-2008, 01:46 PM

My wife has been through hell this last year.Left side masectomy with 15 lymph nodes removed.Chemo since last September and she just finished 6 weeks of radiation.We are supposed to leave for Bermuda (2 1/2 hour flight and her first time away from home in a year)Thursday and it just dawned on us that we may be taking a chance of bringing on Lymphedema.I called the Dr. and he said to go but wear a sleeve.so we will have to find one fast.anyone have any experience with this.
Thanks

SoCalGal · 07-21-2008, 02:47 PM

Just wanted to quickly say I wouldn't worry about it. Unless she is having issues with swelling - I wasted too much time worrying about flying and have flown many times in the past 12 years. You are taking a short flight. Relax and have fun!

You can always wear an ace bandage - as a compression sleeve if you are too worried. Not too tight

madubois63 · 07-21-2008, 06:10 PM

In the beginning, I did not know anything about lymphadema and flew without a sleeve. Now that I have seen what can happen (my best friend has the worst case - her arm is soooooo big and her case is life threatening as are ALL cases - she can go and has been septic), I am way more careful and fly with a sleeve wear gloves for everything and am now looking to purchase an emergency medical bracelet (I wear one for my bone marrow transplant). This is something that can happen to you at any time - 12 years later. It is good that you are concerned. Call Cancercare or The American Cancer Society, they may be able to help. There is also a site called Better Living Now that has lymphodema and mastectomy (bras/forms) items. The accept your insurance and you do not pay a penny!!!!! Have fun - I loved Bermuda!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Bill · 07-21-2008, 06:20 PM

Hey, bud, I just wanted to wish you guys well, and have a great trip. I've always wanted to go to Bermuda. I'm sorry I can't help with the L. issue, but I'm sure you can get enough info. here to take care of things. Don't let the fear of the unknown and the worry about possible negatives keep you and your bride from enjoying the here and now. Have a great trip, Bill

chicagoetc · 07-21-2008, 06:31 PM

You might want to try Jobst armsleeves. Their primary website is http://www.jobst-usa.com/Armsleeve.html

All you have to do is measure yourself per instructions and order the right size.

Probably some location could ship quickly or is located near you.

Sheila · 07-21-2008, 06:36 PM

If you need one quick, go to www.Lymphedivas.com
They can tell you how to get the measurements, I love mine from them, and if you have a Dr's order (dated before purchase), your insurance should cover most if not all of it. I wear mine when flying, I've heard pros and cons...I go with the benefit of the doubt, so i don't worry. If you call them, I am sure you could get ove overnighted if need be, and they have some great fashionista sleeves...designed by a breast cancer patient who lost her battle earlier this year after starting the company.

Debra · 07-21-2008, 07:04 PM

Yes to the arm sleeve----no problems. I have flown a number of times since my surgery and have had no problems. Put the sleave on one hour before flying and leave on for about two hours after. I just went to the physical therapy department to get one. Not even expensive. Absolutely no problems what-so-ever. HAVE FUN ON THAT TRIP!!!

Jackie07 · 07-21-2008, 07:33 PM

Yes, please check with the physical therapy department. Our hospital has a PT who is certified for treating lymphedema. When my right arm was swollen from the bug bite and got cellulitis, she wrapped them with a thin fabric sleeve, then cotton wrap, then layers and layers of bandages. After several weeks, she measured my arm and fingers and ordered the custom-made sleeve and glove. They work great.

What I am saying is that if there's no time or place to get the custom-made (really was just matched with certain size - I doubt they really sew one according to my measurement) compression sleeve and glove, you might be able to get the temporary one - just have to learn how to wrap it.

Have a wonderful trip!

hutchibk · 07-21-2008, 08:11 PM

You should get her fitted for a compression sleeve before you fly the next time. It is never too late to start being careful. I wear a compression sleeve every time I fly. You don't want to ever give lymphedema a chance to take hold, because once it does, you can't reverse it, you can only manage it... and that's not a very attractive prospect.

I went to a wound care/lymphedema doctor last year, and then a lymph massage specialist in the P/T department. I learned alot about how to minimize my chances of full-blown lymphedema...

Sherryg683 · 07-21-2008, 09:38 PM

Get the sleeve and glove and wear them. I wore my last summer on a plane trip to south carolina and was fine on the trip up. On the way going back, I forgot to put it on and noticed my arm was throbbing. I immediately put it on but my arm did swell slighltly and bothered me for a week. I have had minor issues with my arm because I abused it terribly after surgery, be careful and get the sleeve...If you have a shop in your area that sells wigs and bras for cancer patients, they should have the sleeves in stock...sherryg683

StephN · 07-21-2008, 11:29 PM

Call a Medical Supplies company, if you do not have an obvious place to go. They may not have them, but can tell you who does. It is really best if your wife is measured in person. They may have one "off the rack" to fit her.
She should not need any more than light or medium compression at this time.

I fly with a sleeve even though I have no problem with lymphedema to speak of.

Have a really great time on your trip!

SoCalGal · 07-22-2008, 11:49 PM

Apparently I'm the only one flying without a sleeve. It's one worry I decided to let go of so now I'm wondering if I've just been lucky (I'm not that lucky of a person - the whole cancer thing right?). It's been 12 years since they removed 20 nodes. Don't we ever get to breathe out? Wouldn't it have happened by now? Sigh...Brenda you make a good point. It's never too late to be careful.

phurst · 07-24-2008, 02:49 PM

Many thanks to everyone who responded.We got the sleeve overnighted and just arrived in Bermuda with no problems.

tricia keegan · 07-24-2008, 03:58 PM

I also have flown a few times without a sleeve with no problems. I DID see a PT last year as had aches in my affected arm but no swelling. She was satisfied it was'nt lymphedema and actually told me if you don't suffer from this you can actually do more harm than good by wearing one flying? not sure if she had it right but on my insistence she did measure and order one for me but I haven't actually used it as yet.
Maybe I've just been lucky too although I do suffer with swollen ankles for a week after I fly!

madubois63 · 07-30-2008, 06:38 PM

Flori - 12 years is never enough time. It can happen any time! You had 20 nodes removed, so you lymph system is compromised. Please take better care of your self. It is not a fun side effect of bc to have. I've been lucky, but I've seen how bad it can get. My friend Liz's arm is huge and she gets infections all the time (though since meeting me and following my advice -carry and wipe everything, where gloves while dealing with meat/chicken and so on- she has had less infections). Each time she gets an infection, they put her on another antibiotic/anti fungal and it really knocks her out. Her's started several years after diagnosis and it was a tiny cut near her cuticles....

SoCalGal · 08-03-2008, 09:38 AM

Hi Maryanne~
Thanks for your concern. After all these years I hope that my body has adjusted to the missing nodes and has figured out a new drainage path. And I hope that I don't have to add lymphadema to my other list of medical probs... I am pretty diligent (neurotic) when it comes to any kind of minor cuts. Polysporin all the way. I also now keep a box of gloves around to avoid so much hand washing and to keep away from germs.

I did consult once with Emily Iker in Santa Monica CA way back in 97 or 98. She used to be the guru on lympadema before anyone knew what to do about it. I see now that she has an extensive website. Maybe I'll contact her again to ask her opinion as I am going for a short flight next week.

www.lymphedemacenter.com

xo
Flori

BonnieR · 08-03-2008, 10:08 AM

I also consulted with Dr Iker and found her to be just wonderful.

It is my understanding that if you do not HAVE lymphedema, a sleeve is unnecessary for flying. The trick is to be sure you don't have it. Oftentimes a very mild case can be overlooked and then develop problems later on. But flying won't CAUSE it.
For instance, I had nodes removed from both arms. But only have mild lymphedema in one of them. So that is the one I protect with a sleeve for travel or exertion.
They can be purchased at medical supply stores or even some drug stores affiliated with a hospital.

PHURST: I have also been told swimming is great for lymphedema prevention so be sure you and your wife do LOTS of it!! That's an order! Have a ball!
(oh, but don't overdo the sun exposure! lol!)

dlaxague · 08-03-2008, 11:05 AM

Hello,

I know that many women swear by their sleeves but if you do not actually have lymphedema (but are at risk for it), there is no evidence that wearing a sleeve will prevent its development. The only evidence that exists (about domestic flights) actually trends toward a suggestion (not proof) that a sleeve may make things worse rather than better. The reason that this may be true is that the smallest lymph channels run right under the skin and are very fragile. If you do not already have swelling (which "cushions" things), the sleeve may impair drainage rather than enhance it.

I think that the bigger culprit when flying is immobility. Squeezed like a sardine into a seat for hours at a time - that is guaranteed to slow both blood and lymph circulation and is know to lead to swelling of lower extremities (and clots, etc). Also we are easily dehydrated when traveling, and we are more likely to be lifting and carrying more than we are accustomed to and not paying a lot of attention to our body's cues. I try to get my affected arm on the aisle and I move it a lot - up and down, scratch my back, "wring" my arm out by twisting at the wrist, clench and unclench fist, etc. Same thing with long car trips.

Also related to the immobility issue is the fact that sleeves are not intended for use when immobile (for example, no one would suggest that you sleep with a compression sleeve on). If you feel that you must wear a sleeve, please move that arm a LOT. (sleeves are different from bandaging/wrapping).

Lymphedema is an area that is lacking in good research, but that's getting better. Lots of the edicts that you'll hear bandied about for preventing or managing lymphedema are not evidence-based. You'll hear some of the misleading information (alas) from supposed lymphedema experts - even certified therapists. "We" (people in general) do like to think that we know all about a problem and have lots of solutions. "We" (people in general) just hate to admit, or to hear, that not enough is know to give a clear answer. But the hard news is that for many issues of lymphedema we do not have a clear answer.

Here is what we have, about domestic flying (I don't think the abstract is a very good summary. I have the full text in a PDF file and can send it to your private email if you'd like). Sorry about the bad formatting:

SUMMARY. This study aimed to assess exposure to flying in breast cancer survivors and assess the relationship of
flying to lymphoedema. A total of 293 relapse-free breast cancer survivors with known pathology and treatment
details and prospectively measured arm circumferences were surveyed for their flight exposure and precautions
history. Of these, 287 responded, with a mean follow-up of 31.6 (4±111) months. A total of 50.5% had flown, and of
these, 27% had travelled overseas. The mean number of flights was 5.3 (1±100); 24% had taken lymphoedema
precautions, 90% of which utilized compression techniques. There was no signifcant difference in lymphoedema rates
for fliers (11.2%) and non-fliers (8.3%). No woman reported permanent (new or increased) swelling after flying. Of
the nine reporting temporary swelling, six reported 1±3 concurrent potential risk factors. On regression modeling for
both measured and self-reported swelling endpoints the use of precautions (OR 5.6 for lymphoedema and 3.7 for
flight-related temporary swelling) were statistically signifcant. For patient-reported swelling, the number of positive
nodes (OR 1.2) and the number of overseas flights (OR 1.4) was also signifcant, whereas for clinical lymphoedema
age (OR 1.07) was signifcant. We conclude that domestic air travel (54.5 h) is low risk and that compression devices
are possibly counterproductive. # 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd