Hi,

Has anyone had any problems with lymphedema while travelling by plane? My Dad is concerned his neck/throat could swell or tighten.

Thanks
LisaB

i developed lymphedema of the neck and have been going to PT for lymphatic massage. I flew across the country a few months ago and it did not seem to get worse. It pretty much stays the same or lessens to some degree with the lymphatic massage.

Hubby had no neck dissection, just rads and chemo. His turkey neck did not get any worse during or after our latest air trip...four flights.

Deb

Hi - we flew to Australia from Canada about 2 months post treatment when the swelling was quite bad and the long flights didn't seem to make any difference at all.

Mary

My experience is that differences in pressure can affect the swelling and that compression garments and massage can help to control it.
In my case the swelling appeared right after a flight two months after radiation. A change of pressure can provoke the onset of lymphedema as you can see in the following link:
http://www.lymphnet.org/pdfDocs/nlnairtravel.pdf
With the help of a compression garment and some physical therapy (lymphatic drainage masage) I was able to reduce it, but it is still there 5 months after the end of radiation.
I have flown a few times since this first flight and have worn the mask in all cases. After the flights there was no increased swelling.
I am a ski freak and as part of my revalidation, I went skiing for a few days. I wore the compression mask at all times in the slopes, but nevertheless the swelling increased very significantly. Probably this was due to the fast changes of pressure going up in the cable-car. After one week back home, the swelling went back to what it was before the vacation.
If you need further information or details do not hesitate to send me a message.
Cheers,
Jos

Hi all and thanks for the info. My folks took a vacation about 7 months post treatment (before the ND) and my Dad had no problems (about 3.5hr flight). Since the bilaterla ND in March/07 they have not taken a vacation yet. He has been having MLD massages since Aug and they really help. His concern is his breathing. When he first had the surgery he had lots of swelling and it was cutting off his breathing; this plays on his mind and of course is a concern.

Thanks
LisaB