Im of to florida on my hols for 2 weeks end of sept. Just wondering if anyone knows how to go about getting a sleeve for my surgery arm as its quite a long flight and am a bit worried. Hope all are well, Nic xx
hi there, I always wear my sleeve for long haul flights, ring your breast care nurse at the hospital, she should be able to put you in touch with the lymphodemia nurse, they will see you and measure you for a sleeve which are supplied free on the NHS.
Hope this helps
Jo
The Breast Care nurse may be able to measure and supply the sleeve herself.
I was advised to get a sleeve if planning a flight of more than 2 hrs. Also, with or without a sleeve, to do lots of shoulder shrugging and slight movements of hands and arms during any flight, whatever length.
I am also off to Florida so asked my BCN this question. She has told me that unless I was already showing signs of lymphoedema I wouldn’t need one. I would be interested in anyone elses view as I am now concerned that if I don’t have one and something develops on/after the flight, what do I do once I am in Florida. Can I just ignore the symptoms for a few weeks or will I need to get/do something while I am over there. Are the risks very high or am I worrying about nothing.
Thanks
Karen
I’ve flown twice to Florida since mastectomy/node clearance, once 5 months after op and then again at 7 months. I had no problems and hadn’t realised until I read on this site that long haul could cause lymph-oedema. The only advice I was given by Onc/surgeon was to take low dose of aspirin few days before and after each flight because I was taking tamoxifen.
Have a great time in Florida, we’ve booked to go again next April - I adore the Gulf Coast we go to a little Island off of Sarasota called Siesta Keys.
Clare
hi everyone,
im just back from rome had three hour fligth and i didnt have problems with lympodema prior to flying but for the few days i was in rome my arm gave me severe pain and swelling i put it down to the flight and the heat.
i also was warned to wear flight socks as im on tamoxifin and i did but my ankles still swelled a little and suffered leg pain
so i would advice ye to get sleeve for arm and flight socks
happy holidays
breda
I dont have Lymphadema but was told by the lymphadema nurse that on all flights i must wear a sleeve and to ask for an appointment with her a couple of weeks before to get a fitting for one. When lymphadema hits it stays with you so I dont want to take any chances -I’m going to get a sleeve
I have lymphoedema in my affected breast but my arm is OK. I have a course of MLD booked with the lymphoedema nurse which will start after my holiday. It’s only a 3 hour flight but she has given me a sleeve to wear on the flight ‘just in case’. She also told me to keep the arm moving as much as possible during the flight.
Take care everyone
Anthi x
There seems to be some conflicing advice here. I have lymphoedema on chest wall and slightly on upper arm. But my BC nurse (who measured me for a sleeve and advised me) said I did not need to wear the sleeve during the flight, but she has given me a sleeve ‘in case’ I suffer during the holidays. She feels that a sleeve in my case may actually constrict the bloodflow further, as the swelling is in the upper part of my arm. There does not seem to be any clear advice at all and I do worry evrytime I fly. I have been flying twice since op and sofar have not had a any problems, but am off in 2 weeks on a longer flight. I will take the sleeve with me and also carry a supply of antibiotics, in case I get stung, get scratched etc. and develop an infection. I think the general advice to keep active and moving during a long flight is sound for everyone, not just for lymphoedeam sufferers. I will also take extremely good care of my arm and not do anything that could lead to injury - sadly in my case that means having had to give up snorkelling and diving as there is a chance of scratches from rocks and jellyfish stings. I think if you should develop swellings whilst away, you would have to see a doctor and with no travel insurance covering any aspect of BC, this might mean an expensive doctor’s visit. But if we don’t take any chances, we would never travel again, so to all of you off on hols, have a great time and good luck.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Recently had lumpectomy and starting treatment soon. Annual travel insurance due next month and have been told to report this to the insurer? Also saw a piece about this in the Sunday Times. Has anyone else had to do this and what does it mean premium wise?
Thanks Dot
I was told that the risk on long haul flights is actually form the Tamoxifen. In the same way that if you stop taking it for a week if you have an operation, so i stopped for a few days before long flights. Also exercise your arm on the flight. Doc advised against a sleeve.
Hi nic nac,
I like you was not aware that you had to wear a sleeve on a long haul flight. No one even told me that.
Having said that I have just been on a long haul flight to Mexico for two weeks with no problems. However trying to get insurance was a nightmare. No one would insure you until 5 years after diagnosis. One company would but they wanted to charge me £895 pounds, half the holiday cost, I decided to risk it and
go without insurance for breast problem. However did have insurance for anything else.
Went to a healthy living day this week for breast cancer and was informed there is now a sight called InsurePink.co.uk. This has been started by a lady who has had breast cancer and insurance problem. It
is underwritten by Hastings.
Hope this helps.
Love ettelock