Setting off Airport TSA scanners
Comments
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pneuma - I have relatively mild/moderate lymphedema on my surgery side and during the warmer months, I do wear a sleeve that is of mild/moderate compression. I too had read about the possible flying issues, and I think (can't be certain) that a nurse told me ahead of time to wear a sleeve) when I took the trip where I was flagged out of the blue by TSA. I chose to wear the sleeve ("just in case") and I did not notice anything at all one way or the other re that arm during the trip. It remained it's usual self. For someone with more severe lymphedema, however, it might be another story. Do what works for you, and I hope you get this all squared away. We are all different and individual.
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I actually bought a compression sleeve with a sling, I just want to be prepared. And I do plan to wear that on my next flight, well IF I get it before my flight, LOL. I am still waiting for it to be delivered. Must be coming from China.
I do tend to overthink. OH well. As for your last sentence -
Life goes on…
ya tell that to my husband. I am the one who can't wait to go on vacation because I just got over an infection I bout for months during my chemo, I just had my lumpectomy/mastopexy and thank God it's ok for the most part, I just want to have fun and he is like - you still have radiation you can't miss/delay it… like. I told him I can reschedule it if I have to. But then again, my husband and my onco don't want to delay my chemo when I have an active infection! like…FML…
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Ok can you elaborate on the new guideline? Because I really plan to wear both compression socks and sleeve on my next flight.
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pneuma,
How did you know what compression level to purchase? I know you worry a lot but please try to see an LE therapist to determine if you need a compression sleeve at all and if so, they will prescribe the correct level of compression. Folks have actually worsened their LE (which you don’t know if you have) by using the wrong compression level. LE is a clinical diagnosis!
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Oh I am wearing the sleeve, also just in case. I don't even think I have LE but once you have a node remove, I mean speaking for myself, I think it's better to just wear the sleeve, just in case. I honestly was scared reading the LE thread in this forum. So, ya.
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OH no. I am not even diagnosed but, I just want to be prepared. It's more like preventative, for me. For me once a node is removed, you can be vulnerable to LE, honestly, I don't even want a lymph node removed if it was up to me. Lymph node helps in fighting diseases so again, I am scratching my head why science people remove a part of your body system that helps you fight diseases NATURALLY. But that's just me and my beef with science.
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pneuma,
The controversy is that depending on your particular circumstances, compression may not even be needed or recommended! Use of incorrect compression can sometimes trigger LE. My experiences, both using compression and then not, are based on professional evaluation, not just worrying and guessing based on what I have read.
No one actually wants any body part removed. While it’s true that your lymph nodes serve a purpose, the more important issue was determining if there has been spread of bc to the nodes, particularly your sentinel node. The removal of the sentinel node will not compromise your body’s ability to fight disease. To help ease your worry and to understand your risk please consult a professional as that should help put the potential for LE into perspective for you. We can be of support to you but we can’t determine your LE risk nor what things you should or shouldn’t do as that is a clinical/medical determination.0 -
This is from cancerresearchuk.org (sorry I can only paste text not URLs). Please note that they talk about proper fit, which is why you need to determine your particular needs. See the sentence which suggests there is evidence to that compression can restrict the flow of lymphatic fluid and actually cause swelling in those who have had no previous swelling. The best way to alleviate your worry , and determine what you should do, is to be evaluated by an LE therapist. Without that you’re just guessing based on the experience of others which may not be right for you.
Air travel
Research suggests that flying doesn't increase the risk of developing lymphoedema.
Check with your doctor or nurse before flying if you’ve had any early signs of lymphoedema. These signs can include a feeling of heaviness or tightness in a limb. Or you might find that your rings or other jewellery are getting tight.
Your specialist might suggest wearing a compression garment when flying. This can help to prevent further problems if you have had swelling before.
If you have lymphoedema, wear your compression garment as you usual during the day or as advised by your specialist.
A compression garment must fit properly, without being too loose or too tight. A trained specialist needs to measure you for a garment.
Evidence suggests not to wear compression garments if you've never had swelling before. They might restrict the flow of lymph and increase the risk of swelling.
When on a flight, move around as much as you can. Circle your ankles and move your legs and arms while you are sitting. This helps lymph fluid to circulate. Deep breathing can also help. It's also important to drink water to keep hydrated.
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Pneuma - Re node removal and lymphedema, my lymphedema actually started with the tumor itself, and the nodes really weren't involved. The tumor on my left side put so much pressure in the direction of my arm pit, that that in itself caused my lymphedema. For that reason, my surgeon only did a sentinel node removal, and that node showed no spread. At that time, my understanding was that a sentinel node biopsy result was something like 89% accurate (surgeon agreed with what I had read), so both the surgeon and I went with that, and he did not remove any more nodes, with the big reason being he did not want to cause/aggravate any more problems with the lymphedema I had already developed from the tumor. Later, the oncologist and some of the younger doctors she consulted with were very dismayed that the surgeon did not do a full ALND. I have always been very happy with what that older and very experienced surgeon did, and to this day (about 6 years now) my problems with the lymphedema have been relatively mild, and I am extremely glad that he did not do anything more to make it worse.
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Just got back from my surgeon's appointment. Made me wait for her for an hour wow. Anyway I did ask her and her assistant if I need to wear compression sleeve on the plane, they both said no. Good to know but honestly as I am typing this my sentinel stitch area is kinda sore so if I still feel sore, I most likely will wear my sleeve, coz why not. I have always been a rebel without a cause. I will wear it on the way there and on the way home, I most likely won't wear my sleeve just to compare for my own experience.
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I replied to your other post before I read this. Hmmm. good to know. thanks! something for me to decide what to do. So it seems wearing of compression sleeve is only determined if there's swelling in arms and not if you feel sore like I have.
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Oh glad you have the more experienced Dr.!! Just goes to show, lymph nodes are REALLY important! in fighting diseases not just cancer! Thanks to your Dr. your LE did not get worst. I wonder why? oh I know, because he did not remove all or most of your nodes!!!
Be well.
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@pneuma - I agree with exbrnxgrl regarding the risk of wearing a compression garment without a diagnosis and specific information from a physical therapist. I neglected to mention in my original post that my surgeon diagnosed me with lymphedema and sent me to a physical therapist specializing in lymphedema. So while I purchased the compression garments from Amazon, the PT had given me specific information on what to buy.
Enjoy your vacation.
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Thanks. SO I think what I will do now is just bring the compression sleeve with me during the flight, just in case, I have to wear it. I thought wearing the sleeve is preventative, I guess not in LE case.
Hopefully I won't have to wear it and I don't like wasting money but in this case, I will gladly welcome wasting money on a compression I won't need for the rest of my life, hopefully.
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pneuma,
A sleeve and glove, they are usually used together, is preventative IF you actually have lymphedema and a physical therapist has assessed you and recommended specific garments with the appropriate level of compression. Using the wrong level of compression can actually make things worse. How did you know what level of compression to purchase? “Just in case” is not how it works with LE and using compression improperly can actually trigger LE.
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Pnuema - The surgeon I mentioned above was very concerned about the albeit mild swelling in my arm from the tumor and sent me to a lymphedema OT (most places do PT, but mine does this all with OT). The lymphedema OT measured me and the surgeon signed a prescription form and they sent me to a local specialty shop where I paid an arm and a leg for what I found out later I could get on Amazon for a lot less. The sleeve prescribed was a routine "off the rack" one, so I now get it from Amazon. Also, it was my surgeon who noticed the lymphedema right off the bat and went into action, so to speak. My oncology office has never particularly cared about it one way or another, although my new oncologist at the same place does pay attention to it. Most on here say their oncologists have been their "go to" for lymphedema, but some others like me, have found their surgeon's office much more helpful and concerned - just fyi.
Interestingly, I have never heard these same arguments about possibly making a situation worse when talking about compression socks for leg swelling.
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I believe I only bought the 'safe' compression like I have watched on youtube Drs. saying the 13 mhg not sure if I got that right - like they say that's what most people buy anyway because the prescription ones are REALLY tight and uncomfortable. LOL. Plus for sure a PITA to put on.
And like I said I will only put it on if there's a swelling during my flight which I hope won't happen ever. And if my surgeon didn't think I have to wear it then I won't but I just want to be prepared.
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Right? regarding your last sentence about the leg swelling. That is EXACTLY why I thought of buying the arm compression in the first place. I guess, ya the same rule does not apply to the arms. I actually am wearing compression socks for sure in the flight. I mean that one is highly recommended mainly for DVT especially during long flights. In my case the varicose veins. I got scared in the bulging vein in my leg during my latest infusion.
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pneuma - I started wearing the mild compression socks years ago, before cancer. I've never had a whole lot of swelling, but I used to drive and sit a lot during my job, and my legs just started aching. They would swell some after all that sitting, and then again in the heat of the warmer months. I just bought the 15-20 mhz? socks (Sockwell - on Amazon and not medical looking at all), and I've worn them ever since, even though I don't really work any more. My legs stopped aching right away after I started using the socks. I wore them on the one flight I took also. I never brought it up at all with any doctors, but now occasionally, I will mention in passing that I use these mild/moderate compression socks and they just say, "Oh, that's good." They never examine my legs or inquire about why I use them, so again, it must be a different thing with the leg socks, unless you have super swollen legs and a real serious medical condition where you have to get super tight custom socks.
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I’ve been flagged a few times for my breast prosthesis. I just tell them what it is and they wave me through.
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AJ, that doesn't sound too bad - you know ahead of time and then they don't grope you in front of everyone, and you don't have to be escorted away for another screening. That would be relatively doable. Just knowing of the possibility in advance is the big hurdle to me.
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