Compression Sleeves for Lymphedema

[Catherine]

I fly about 3 times a year and wear a sleeve on my arm where the lypmph nodes were removed. My physical therapist is a lyphadema specialist and fitted me. She recommends them and also says wear for a few hours after the trip.

Had 33 rads. The radiation doctor said sleeves not necessary and sort of laughed. Well I laugh behind his back, because I do not think he is as up to date as my physical therapist is.

I vote for the sleeve. But my research is not as good as others on this site. I was a little scared by the post that said it could also be harmful.

Hang on for the ride, Catherine

[Lani]

once the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is in service. It will offer atmospheric pressure (as well as normal humidity). The former should prevent swelling whether venous or lymphatic and the latter should help prevent drying out of the nasal passages which makes it easier to catch cold or flu viruses. All should be important to breast cancer patients, particularly those on herceptin.

It is the fact that the surrounding air is at less than atmospheric pressure which makes fluid tend to move from an area of high pressure to one of lesser pressure.

I have attended lectures on new lymphedema clinical trials where I spoke with Dr. Stanley Rockson, one of the few vascular surgeons with an interest in lymphedema (in fact he heads a lymphedema clinic and has published on the subject) He seems to believe that lymphedema can be worsened by airflight--

I would like to start a thread inquiring whose lymphedema, whether manifested by swelling or pain, or both began with or was worsened by airplane flight and whether utilizing a sleeve prevented further swelling on subsequent flights and/or improved the pain.