Going on Holiday with Lymphoedema

[paubow]

What advice can any one give when going on a long Haul holiday I am hoping to go to Cape Town in January to visit my Sister in Law but after a recent bout of Cellulitis I am a little reluctant to risk it

[norberte]

hi again paubow

other people'll be more help on this i'm sure cos i don't do long haul

be a shame not to go though - i know things like getting the weight down, wearing a well-fitting sleeve, not carrying heavy cases (you may need to get airport / plane staff to help), doing arm exercises regularly on the plane & the anti-dvd feet & legs stuff too to keep circulation going, taking a squeezy ball (lsn sell them!), taking 2 week supply of antibi's (& as you're allergic to penicillin you might want to consider something like a medic-alert bracelet) & making sure lymphoedema-related problems are included in your travel insurance (br ca care & macmillan have both got lists of insurers to try, i expect lsn helpline has as well) would be a start

& remember most sleeves don't have uva or uvb protection in them

loads of people on the br ca forums have done long haul with lymphoedema - it'll be fiiiiiiiiiiine! start planning all the nice things you're going to do, ass well as thinking about all this stuff

[paubow in reply to norberte]

Hi Norberte I think we are going to go. We have been to Cape Town a few time before and I have had insect bites but never got Cellulitis before everyone seem to say once you have had it you are more then likely to get it again. As far as insurance is concerned as soon as you say you have had breast cancer even though it was 15 years ago the price goes up I also have high blood pressure so that also puts the premiums up now I have had cellullitis it will go up again but you have tp pay it thanks so much for your advice and information

[anami]

Hello there!

I've been on a few long haul flights and I suffer from lymphoedema on both of my legs. I'm assuming that you suffer from lymphoedema on your legs because my advice is focussed on them. You'll need to wear your compression garments if you have any, if you don't then I suggest any sort of garment that give you some compression.

The other key exercise you can do is to move your toes constantly. This exercise alone will give your leg muscles a good workout.

The other tip will be to have elevated mattresses when you reach Cape Town.

Any build up of lymph could be remedied by keeping your legs elevated.

Please read my blog post (sorry for the plug)

livingwithlymphoedema.blogs...

Regarding cellulitis, according to my GP. The expanse of the skin means more space for infection to occur. So keeping your skin compressed helps minimise this. I used to get cellulitis almost every month to a point where my consultant told me to keep antibiotics in my pocket like you'd have paracetamol!!

Sorry about my answers and tips being non scientific but I had to live with my condition and think of ways to help myself and I'm sure you can live with it too..

Good luck!

[paubow in reply to anami]

Thanks for your reply My Lymphoedema is caused by breast cancer and is in my arm I have been lucky that I havnt had much problem with it except for the swelling but I will now be more carefull with my arm and do everything I am told to do. Good luck with your condition I am going to read your blog

[Andy13]

If you've had cellulitis recently (within the last year) you might want to ask your GP to

1) put you on a low dose of antibiotics for several months to help make sure it does not recurr (regardless of any long haul flights).

2) give you a course of antibiotics to take with you in case you get cellulitis when you've out there. That happened to me while I was in France and I ended up in hospital for several days. Fortunately I had some antibiotics so could start treatment before I got to the hospital. Now I always carry a weeks worth. Normally they just sit in the suitcase but they are there should I need them..

In addition to other comments on this thread it's best to avoid getting insect bites so check out where you going carefully and avoid mosquitoes etc by having plenty of repellent or just don't go to places where they are found. Also be careful on beeches, avoid cuts and grazes to you feet and limbs.

I do regular long haul flights ( just got back on Saturday after an 8 hour flight) and Personally I worry less about the flight than the destination. Oh and make sure you have good medical insurance cover. Best disclose the condition before taking out the insurance. It shouldn't be an issue but better safe than hugely out of pocket.

Enjoy.

[paubow in reply to Andy13]

Thanks for your reply I have had cellulitis 2 weeks ago for the first time. I have Lymphoedema in my arm after Breast cancer surgery 15 years ago I am one of those people that get mosquitoe bites so do use plenty of repellent but they always `get me but up to now I have had no problems when on holiday, the insurace I have is good but besides the breast cancer I have high blood pressure which pushes the cost up but now I have had the cellulitis it will go up again but never mind its better to be safe then sorry I will ask my GP about taking a course of antibiotics with me Good Luck

[clown]

Take a small spray bottle and fill it with water. _ When you sleeve gets hot and uncomfortable spray your sleeve - Your body heat and outside heat will soon dry the sleeve.

[paubow]

Thanks for this info will do this when I go away on holiday