Fly with compression sleeve - Lymphedema

pitt
pitt Member Posts: 387
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
If you had a lymph node biopsy, you need a compression sleeve every time you fly, go to an elevated location (mountains), exercise, or life anything more than 5 pounds. Please understand this is serious. My girlfriend just informed me that she flew without her sleeve and the next day her arm was in immense pain, swollen, etc. She is having serious issues now because of this. Please please please be careful. Pitt
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Comments

  • Katz77
    Katz77 Member Posts: 598
    #2
    My "sock"
    I, like you, wear my sleeve when hiking or working. Work in surgery. It def makes a difference. I live at 6000ele., so I think I'm a little quicker to swell. I would have not even thought of flying and needing one. Thanks for the info. Good luck to ur girlfriend. Katz
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #3
    I had to see a physical
    I had to see a physical therapist after surgery and they told me about flying and compression sleeves. I've never had to wear one as I don't like to fly. But I was told not to lift over 25 pounds. 5 doesn't sound like much. I've been avoiding heavy stuff anyway.
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #4
    I haven't used one....BUT.....
    On my 5500 mile flights back and forth from the Netherlands, I make VERY sure to get up, walk around, stretch my arms, etc....all the stuff that they say to do on the tape run in the airplane...

    I have been good about my 'special' arm...but not so that I can't use it in a pinch. I am taking golf lessons again to learn how to protect it, for example...and light weights exercise is good...

    I asked my doctor before I did anything....

    Hugs, Kathi
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #5
    KathiM said:

    I haven't used one....BUT.....
    On my 5500 mile flights back and forth from the Netherlands, I make VERY sure to get up, walk around, stretch my arms, etc....all the stuff that they say to do on the tape run in the airplane...

    I have been good about my 'special' arm...but not so that I can't use it in a pinch. I am taking golf lessons again to learn how to protect it, for example...and light weights exercise is good...

    I asked my doctor before I did anything....

    Hugs, Kathi

    Also
    We also need to remember to NEVER get a shot in that arm or get your blood pressure taken in the arm! So many don't know that.

    Lex♥
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #6
    Alexis F said:

    Also
    We also need to remember to NEVER get a shot in that arm or get your blood pressure taken in the arm! So many don't know that.

    Lex♥

    Or a blood draw....
    I also always ask for a pediatric needle (called a 'butterfly') when they are taking blood from my other arm....It's all I have left, and the veins have taken a beating...

    Hugs, Kathi
  • Sunrae
    Sunrae Member Posts: 808
    #7
    KathiM said:

    Or a blood draw....
    I also always ask for a pediatric needle (called a 'butterfly') when they are taking blood from my other arm....It's all I have left, and the veins have taken a beating...

    Hugs, Kathi

    I'm adding this discussion
    I'm adding this discussion to my favorites. My mother went thru this after she had surgery and it was real difficult to see how her arm swelled. Thanks for bringing this up.
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    #8
    Where do we get a
    Where do we get a compression sleeve? I plan to fly in February.
  • jbug
    jbug Member Posts: 285
    #9
    What if they only took a
    What if they only took a couple of nodes? Do you still need a sleave?
  • marywest
    marywest Member Posts: 132
    #10
    jbug said:

    What if they only took a
    What if they only took a couple of nodes? Do you still need a sleave?

    great idea
    I just got two compressions sleeves, am going on a 15 hr flight. I was able to get mine from a medical store and also pharmacies can order one.
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #11
    natly15 said:

    Where do we get a
    Where do we get a compression sleeve? I plan to fly in February.

    Medical supply store
    Natly,
    Compression sleeve can be bought in medical supplies store or from certified distributors. There are several companies which make them: Juzo (www.juzousa.com), Jobs, Madi. The most important is having a correct size, You can be measured in the store, or but better by lymphedema therapist.
    If you want to be covered by insurance you need to call them and ask to recommend store which is in-network and taking your insurance. You also need to see lymphedema therapist to measure your arm to determine your size.
    Ask you surgical /breast oncologist to recommend a specialist. In order to be reimburse by insurance You need a prescription.
    I was given prescription twice initially by my Surgical oncologist and second time by my Radiologist.
    This link could very useful http://www.lymphnet.org/.
    Write me PM if you have more questions.
    New Flower
  • Cat64
    Cat64 Member Posts: 1,192
    #12
    jbug said:

    What if they only took a
    What if they only took a couple of nodes? Do you still need a sleave?

    Good ? Jbug
    I'm wondering the same thing. I only had 2 taken out and wonder if this is something I need to worry about and is it still possible to get Lymphedema?
    Cat
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #13
    Cat64 said:

    Good ? Jbug
    I'm wondering the same thing. I only had 2 taken out and wonder if this is something I need to worry about and is it still possible to get Lymphedema?
    Cat

    I never have used one, but
    I never have used one, but maybe I will now, . My first mastectomy was 15 years a go now this current one. I have no choice but to use arm for sticks etc... geneerally they use my older one. You can use the leg for blood pressures too. i ask them to use the manual one so it does not pump up as hard or long. It is a challenge when you have two bum arms. Do you gals wear a medical alert bracelet?
  • penchick
    penchick Member Posts: 1
    #14
    KathiM said:

    I haven't used one....BUT.....
    On my 5500 mile flights back and forth from the Netherlands, I make VERY sure to get up, walk around, stretch my arms, etc....all the stuff that they say to do on the tape run in the airplane...

    I have been good about my 'special' arm...but not so that I can't use it in a pinch. I am taking golf lessons again to learn how to protect it, for example...and light weights exercise is good...

    I asked my doctor before I did anything....

    Hugs, Kathi

    The unsettling thing is that
    The unsettling thing is that you can go for some time with no problems, and then lymphedema suddenly rears its ugly head. I had a problem with it from the beginning but I have a friend who was a long time survivor and didn't have a problem until one day on a flight. She had flown previously with no problems. I always use a sleeve when I fly and when I exercise, particularly any weight lifting.
    The new recommendation that was published in August after an extensive study is that carefully controlled weight lifting helps lymphedema - a reversal of the advice I was given seven years ago after my surgery. All I know is I'm having many more good days with my arm than I did before, and I KNOW it's because of the weight lifting.
  • pitt
    pitt Member Posts: 387
    #15
    carkris said:

    I never have used one, but
    I never have used one, but maybe I will now, . My first mastectomy was 15 years a go now this current one. I have no choice but to use arm for sticks etc... geneerally they use my older one. You can use the leg for blood pressures too. i ask them to use the manual one so it does not pump up as hard or long. It is a challenge when you have two bum arms. Do you gals wear a medical alert bracelet?

    Medical Alert Bracelet
    Yes - I have a medical alert bracelet and I wear it all the time. It states: Lymphedema alert: No BP cuff or needles in left arm.
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    #16
    pitt said:

    Medical Alert Bracelet
    Yes - I have a medical alert bracelet and I wear it all the time. It states: Lymphedema alert: No BP cuff or needles in left arm.

    Also have medical alert
    Also have medical alert bracelet but had to remove it, got an allergic reaction to it. I guess I need it in a precious metal. Purchased it from lymphedema organization.
  • Dot53
    Dot53 Member Posts: 239 Member
    #17
    flying after surgery
    I had a bilateral mastectomy with reconstuction on Dec 5. I told the docs I had a family trip to florida planned for Jan 20 and will be flying. I asked if it would be a problem and if I should be worried about lymphadema and they said no... they didn't even mention the sleeves... the only thing they did say was to expect to hear popping sounds from the expanders... after reading these posts I am really afraid to fly...
  • Sher43009
    Sher43009 Member Posts: 602 Member
    #18
    lymphedema
    I asked my onco rad nurse about lymphedema and she said it doesn't matter if you have only 1 or all your lymph nodes removed you can get lymphedema. She said "you have to be careful with your arm for the rest of your life. It can happen at any time. Use your arm but don't abuse it. If you have 5 boxes to move--move 2 at a time not all 5." I plan on using a sleeve whenever I fly...better safe than sorry.
  • Mama G
    Mama G Member Posts: 762
    #19
    Sher43009 said:

    lymphedema
    I asked my onco rad nurse about lymphedema and she said it doesn't matter if you have only 1 or all your lymph nodes removed you can get lymphedema. She said "you have to be careful with your arm for the rest of your life. It can happen at any time. Use your arm but don't abuse it. If you have 5 boxes to move--move 2 at a time not all 5." I plan on using a sleeve whenever I fly...better safe than sorry.

    sheesh
    I just flew to California and back and didn't even know about this... Told my Onc and she never mentioned anything. I'll have to ask on Tues when I go in for my Taxol.
  • sherria49
    sherria49 Member Posts: 126
    #20
    Is this forever???
    Hi Pitt!

    I had lymph node biopsy, and on sentinel node removed. So...flying, exercising, lifting, blood drawals, blood pressure checks... should these things be avoided on that arm forever or is there ever a time when this isn't as issue??

    Wow! I thought I was through most of the issues! I guess just another chapter in BC life story!

    Big hugzzzz
  • Whoknowz
    Whoknowz Member Posts: 82
    #21
    sherria49 said:

    Is this forever???
    Hi Pitt!

    I had lymph node biopsy, and on sentinel node removed. So...flying, exercising, lifting, blood drawals, blood pressure checks... should these things be avoided on that arm forever or is there ever a time when this isn't as issue??

    Wow! I thought I was through most of the issues! I guess just another chapter in BC life story!

    Big hugzzzz

    Forever I was told
    My surgeon told me about the no blood pressure, no blood draws in the arm where she was doing the sentinel node biopsy when we talked just before the surgery. The nurses hammered the message in. They said some doctors would ask how long it had been and would say it was ok after a certain period, but not to let them use the arm.

    They didn't mention flying, but a book they gave me before I left the hospital did. I ended up having 4 nodes removed and that seems very small potatoes compared to many on here but better safe than sorry.

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