Travelling abroad with lymphoedema

[Shelston]

I have had lymphoedema in my left leg for 4 years and wear compression every day. I’m going abroad for the first time since developing lymphoedema and wondered if I could go without compression for the week whilst there and whether it would make my lymphoedema worse

[morganite]

that’s not a good idea. I visit my family in Cyprus and still wear mine. Take off for swimming and put on once dry. If you don’t wear them your leg will swell

[Shelston in reply to morganite]

Thank you for your advice Morganite x

[On_porter]

I’ve had lymphoedema for 20 years in every limb and go away once or twice a year - including to v hit countries. Wear compression as much as you can (apart from at night), or it’ll just cause extra problems for you after leaving if for X days…

[Shelston in reply to On_porter]

Thanks you for your advice On_porter x

[Juliawoods]

why would you want to do that? If it’s to appease what others say, they have a problem. wear an old compression on the beach and in the sea, be comfortable rather than face the worse case scenario of skin damage or increased swelling. If anyone asks what’s wrong the educate them about lymphodema. Embrace your stockings and your condition- it ain’t going away!! Don’t make it worse for yourself. Enjoy your holiday xx

[Shelston in reply to Juliawoods]

Thanks so much Julia. Just feeling really self conscious but will take everyone’s advice xx

[Applekenke172]

Morning ShelstonI also have primary bilateral lymphedema in both my legs and feet.

To be honest I think you should wear your compression garment whilst away especially if you're on flight too.

I'm speaking from experience where I suffered with severe swelling of my feet and legs and the pain of stretched skin due to the swelling which made it impossible to have a great time whilst away.

[Shelston in reply to Applekenke172]

Thanks so much for your advice x

[Lynora]

Wear your compression to travel (if you look at the cabin crew legs, you may find that many of them wear compression!) - keep the garment on until you go to bed at your destination. If you have a fridge in your hotel room, put the garment in it (or if self catering, put in the fridge in the kitchen), ready to don next morning.

Keep a spray bottle of water handy when you are out and about, so that you can spray down the leg garment when it’s hot - a passing breeze will cool the skin surface.

If you are swimming, then yes, remove the garment - the water acts as a form of compression - then don it again within an hour, over a dry leg.

We can only ‘suggest’ - so if you want to stuff the garment in a drawer and go out dancing, do it - knowing you can don the garment later as a form of therapy!!!

Do some SLD while you apply your bed time moisturiser - including some breathwork.

Where are you going????

[Shelston in reply to Lynora]

Thanks so much for your advice Lynora. I’m going to Turkey, first time abroad for a few years and since developing Lymphedema. Just feeling self conscious about showing my compression xx

[PO74]

Hi, I have just been diagnosed lymphoedema in April this year and even in the North East of England we have some very warm weather. I have bought four dresses from Mountain Warehouse and I wear my compression stockings as leggings. It is so much more comfortable than trousers onto top of them. As I haven't worn dresses for 20 years people concentrate on the dress not the compression stockings and don't seem to notice them. Enjoy your holiday!

[Shelston in reply to PO74]

Thanks so much for your advice PO74 xx

[SmallBlueThing]

Please make sure you have medical insurance in place. I don't want to sound like a doom-monger, but the consequences of things like insect bites and scratches from kittens can quickly escalate -- and compression garments can provide valuable protection against the skin getting punctured in the first place. I hope you have a great time!

[Shelston in reply to SmallBlueThing]

Thanks so much xx

[AnneBury]

I have had a mixed approach over the years but as the years go by I do wear my compression just about all the time (apart from in bed). Not wearing them becomes very uncomfortable and to be honest you never quite know whether you are causing yourself extra on-going swelling. I am primary, below knee, both legs and feet. I don't wear shorts, always below knee clothing - apart from actually on the beach/ by the pool.

In recent years I have gone in the pool, and sea, wearing my compression . I usually take some older garments away. That way I don't have to keep taking them on and off all the time (which I particularly hate).

To be honest nobody really takes any notice.

Everyone is different and you learn what works for you. I have had lymphoedema since I was 11 in one leg and 30 in the other. I am retired now. For years I had no diagnosis and no garments anyway. When I did get garments I didn't wear them as I was supposed to and no harm was done. However, that was me and won't necessarily be you. As I say individuals are affected very differently. The big thing I have learned is nobody bothers and it is better to be safe than sorry.

As for holidays I have been all over the world, including Australia several times.

Have a lovely time x

[Shelston in reply to AnneBury]

Thank you Anne, have kept a lot of old compression stockings so will use them when going in the pool xx

[Ernie2608]

Hi As everyone says wear your compression as much as you can. I know how you feel about feeling embarrassed but we’ve got to flaunt it and raise awareness! I am getting there but do completely understand your sentiments xx

[Shelston in reply to Ernie2608]

Thanks so much xx

[211044]

Shelton I agree with everyone when they tell you to wear your compressions as much as you can on holiday. It not only controls the swelling whilst flying and in a hot country but they obviously protect your legs from any damage that might cause cellulitis. And on that point, I don’t know whether you have heard, but the lymphoedema society advises that you always keep an emergency pack of Flucloxacillin (an anti biotic that is used to treat cellulitis) at home or on holiday in case of cellulitis, as it is best to start taking it immediately if it happens and sometimes you might not be able to get it immediately. My doctor is always willing to prescribe it for me to keep just in case. Have a great holiday.

[Shelston in reply to 211044]

Thank you for the advice. I have emergency antibiotics from doctors though had a bit of a fight to get them, had to provide a letter from Lymphoedema clinic first xx

[GabbiD44 in reply to 211044]

Antibiotic is a good idea! I will start asking for it.

[GabbiD44]

I have never traveled abroad, but I have gone on vacations to the coasts (I live in the Midwest of US). I always wear compression on the flight. If there is a day when I would prefer no compression- a beach day or something where I am bareing my legs, I will go without compression, but then I do wrap my legs and sleep with the wrapped. This is not ideal. @morganite is right, your legs will swell without compression. When my lymphedema was more controlled, I used to go without compression. And would wrap every night, and it worked pretty well. My left leg is more uncontrolled, so now I try to wear my compression as much as possible. I still do my SLD in the morning, but I don't travel with my pump.One thing I did this year to increase my summer compliance was ordered a flesh colored (I usually order black) toeless, made to measure flat knit sock. This has helped immensely. I can wear sandals, and it is obvious I am wearing it but it doesn't stand out like it would if I wore my black socks. It is still hot. But my compliance this summer is much better.

Good luck and have a great trip!

[Shelston in reply to GabbiD44]

Thank you for your advice Gabbi. I do wear light coloured compression so might be brave and wear a pair of shorts 😊 I have never used a pump and never wrapped my leg but do have MLD massage once a month which seems to help.

Michelle xx

[BedfordBoy]

Hi Shelston,There's some very good advice on here. I wish I'd not been so blasé when I travelled abroad because I really suffered afterwards. Recently I went to Ireland and didn't wear any compression, thinking that getting up and walking around frequently would be enough. I was wrong, my legs ached like mad for days and swelled up like balloons. The worst time was when I went to Barbados, again I got up frequently to walk around but upon return I developed a blood clot and ended up in hospital. So now I'm wiser and realise that it was vanity stopping me from wearing the stockings. I wear them as much as possible now and especially when on the plane. Enjoy Turkey!

[Shelston in reply to BedfordBoy]

Thank you for the advice Bedfordboy. I’ve just been away for a few days to Madrid, was really hot but my leg didn’t swell as much as I thought it would. Did wear my comiwave at night as well though. Looking forward to Turkey in a few weeks now.

Thanks, Michelle xx

[Shaz09]

Hello

I am just seeing this. I just wanted to know how your holiday went. Hope you have a fab time. 😀

I have been diagnosed about 20 years ago with Primary Lymphoedema and enjoyed many holidays. In the past when education was not that great I had compression free days to my detriment. Swelling, cellulitis etc… awful. I learnt the hard way. I know what you mean though. It’s very individual and how we feel at that very moment.

You had many wonderful responses, this community is fabulous.

All the best

S x

[Shelston in reply to Shaz09]

Hi Shaz

Just back from a short trip to Madrid and was surprised my leg only swelled slightly with the heat. Was fine on the plane so was a good test for my holiday to Turkey.

Yes, this community is wonderful. So nice to get the support from everyone going through similar situation.

Thank you for your advice

Michelle xx