Air travel

Options
Margeaux
Margeaux Member Posts: 84
in Breast Cancer #1

I had 18 lymph nodes removed 5 yrs ago.  Although I have a lot of pain under arm and am on 1600 mg Gabapentin just to make it thru the day I haven't had any signs of lymnphedema, Thank God!  I flew short distances before, about 3 hrs, no problem.  However, this time I'll be in the air approx. 9 hrs. total.  Do I really need a compresion sleeve, I'll have no-one to help me slip the thing on.  What are your thoughts on this?

Thank you so much, Margeaux

Comments

  • Puffin2014
    Puffin2014 Member Posts: 531 Member
    #2
    Options
    air travel

    I've read on other forums of women who did have trouble with lymphedema and flying and they hadn't had problems before they flew. I only had 2 lymph nodes removed and flew this spring, about a 3 hour flight. I didn't want to risk ruining our vacation, and don't have a sleeve, so I wrapped my arm with an ace wrap for the trip there. Did not wrap it on the return trip, didn't have any problems either way. 9 hours is a much longer trip. Do you have a sleeve? For that long a trip I'd try and find someone who could help you, even if you had to ask a flight attendant!

  • MrsBob
    MrsBob Member Posts: 77
    #3
    Options
    Hi!
    I had alot of lymph nodes

    Hi!

    I had alot of lymph nodes removed in 1999. I have flown up to 4 hours many times. Most if the time I had on a sleeve. I lost the sleeve in 2009 and for a couple trips I used a super tight knee high sock (LOL I was desperate when I couldn't find my sleeve :) then the last couple of years I didn't use anything and have been okay. However, I don't trust my body most days and I too will be in a 10 hour flight later this year and I have already decided to wear a sleeve (and the search begins for that :)

    I (from now on :) wouldn't risk not wearing one. I had a bc friend who flew 5 years and then bam! Her arm swelled when she got off the plane and got home. Better safe than sorry. Maybe trying to roll it on or fold it and unroll it? The tight knee high sock was easier to put on LOL

  • Margeaux
    Margeaux Member Posts: 84
    #4
    Options
    MrsBob said:

    Hi!
    I had alot of lymph nodes

    Hi!

    I had alot of lymph nodes removed in 1999. I have flown up to 4 hours many times. Most if the time I had on a sleeve. I lost the sleeve in 2009 and for a couple trips I used a super tight knee high sock (LOL I was desperate when I couldn't find my sleeve :) then the last couple of years I didn't use anything and have been okay. However, I don't trust my body most days and I too will be in a 10 hour flight later this year and I have already decided to wear a sleeve (and the search begins for that :)

    I (from now on :) wouldn't risk not wearing one. I had a bc friend who flew 5 years and then bam! Her arm swelled when she got off the plane and got home. Better safe than sorry. Maybe trying to roll it on or fold it and unroll it? The tight knee high sock was easier to put on LOL

    Air travel

    thank you for your replies.  The shorter flight I'd risk without sleeve, but the longer one is a different ball of wax.  There is a Women's boutique not far from my house specializing in breast cancer customers, bras, wigs, etc.  They also measure and order sleeves, i believe they even have light compression sleeves in stock.  I'll stop by and talk to them.  The other day i did some volunteer work for a local cancer assoc. my neighbor got lymphedemea 10 yrs. post surgery.  She flew for years, no problem and then - wham! after a transatlantic flight she got it.  Others had no problems, ever. 

    Margeaux

  • desertgirl947
    desertgirl947 Member Posts: 653 Member
    #5
    Options
    I flew from Syracuse, NY, to

    I flew from Syracuse, NY, to Juneau, AK, two years ago. We landed in Chicago and Seattle, and so both ways the trip essentially took all day.   In 2015 I had all the lymphnodes on one side removed.

    I wore no sleeve and had no problems.

  • Noor13
    Noor13 Member Posts: 1
    #6
    Options
    Hello all,
    I had 14

    Hello all,

    I had 14 lymphnodes removed , I fly 14 hrs  flight twice a year between the USA and QATAR, where  I come from, twice a year round trips to see my ONC, I don't put the compression sleeve but I carry it with me in flight, if I see signs of swelling begining, I have the sleeve to put on. Thus far  I did not  need it in flight. That is based on my lympadema therpist recommendation.

  • joannstar
    joannstar Member Posts: 403 Member
    #7
    Options
    I use a sleeve

    to fly. I got it 2 years ago for a cross country flight. I spoke with my onc and he said it was a good idea to use it eventhough I had only 4 nodes removed. Swelling can happen at anytime and once it starts, it is too late from what I learned. The whole thing is about being pro-active. I went to a lymphadema specialist and was taught how to put it on by myself using a special pre-sleeve thing. My girlfriend also puts hers on by herself without any additional aides.

    My theory is better safe than sorry.

    Good luck.

    JoAnn

  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #8
    Options
    I have lymphedema. If I were

    I have lymphedema. If I were in the position of having to fly, I would definitely wear a compression sleeve(s). If I think about it, I would rather spend the money on the sleeves and try my hardest to prevent LE than, take my chances and perhaps get it. Btw, I have been putting on my own sleeves for years. 

  • 1surfermom
    1surfermom Member Posts: 396 Member
    #9
    Options
    Air Travel

    Hi Margeaux

     I had all of the  nodes under my arm on my affected side removed and as a resultI have lymphedema. I always wear my sleeve and glove when I fly even if it is a short flight. I flew once without the glove and the compression of the sleeve gave me lymphedema in my hand and fingers. Try to put on your sleeve about 30 minutes before you board and leave it on for about 30 minutes after you land. I recently took a trip to Europe and wore my sleeve and glove for about 4 hours and then used my night sleeve for the rest of the filght and then switched to the sleeve when we landed. I know it is a pain to use the sleeve but I think that in this case it is better to be proactive. Enjoy your trip. Love Surf 

  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #10
    Options
    A bit late....colonoscopy week....

    I fly 10 hours, 4 times a year, back and forth from my homes in The Netherlands and California.

     

    I have not worn a sleeve at any time, but do all of the 'in flight exercises' that are recommended, and get up and move around the cabin often.

     

    I had 8 nodes removed, and have never had swelling...

     

    Hugs, Kathi

  • kjana
    kjana Member Posts: 30
    #11
    Options
    they say it is better to wear

    they say it is better to wear it. you dont need help to put it on

  • Margeaux
    Margeaux Member Posts: 84
    #12
    Options
    Air travel

    Hi Ladies:

    Stopped at the nearby Women's Boutique.  They showed me a very light sleeve, they have different sizes and keep them in stock.  She assured me it would be possible for me to put one on by myself.  We talked about a "gauntlet" for the hand but she thinks since I have no signs of lymphedema a sleeve would suffice.  For anything stronger than the light sleeves they keep in stock she requires a doctor's prescription.  The Boutique has been around a long time and they have had customers who flew and returned with lymphedema, so it's better to be safe than sorry.  Thanks everybody.

    Margeaux

  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #13
    Options
    Margeaux said:

    Air travel

    Hi Ladies:

    Stopped at the nearby Women's Boutique.  They showed me a very light sleeve, they have different sizes and keep them in stock.  She assured me it would be possible for me to put one on by myself.  We talked about a "gauntlet" for the hand but she thinks since I have no signs of lymphedema a sleeve would suffice.  For anything stronger than the light sleeves they keep in stock she requires a doctor's prescription.  The Boutique has been around a long time and they have had customers who flew and returned with lymphedema, so it's better to be safe than sorry.  Thanks everybody.

    Margeaux

    wondering if there is a website .. for those of us

    not in close prox of the Women's Boutique ..  several sites out there, however, you are pretty much on your own with ordering, and what "to order".

    Thank YOU,  Margeaux!

     

    Vicki Sam

Discussion Boards