Patient Tips

Mounting medical bills can cause great concern. If an insurance company says it won't cover treatment for lymphedema, talk with your hospital's social worker regarding how to file an insurance appeal. He or she should be familiar with federal laws that support lymphedema treatment, as well as how to file with insurance for such procedures.

Getting blood drawn and having your blood pressure taken

Whenever either of these is done, it should be done on your unaffected arm. If both arms have been affected (such as post-surgery for a double mastectomy), then request that your blood pressure be taken in a lower extremity OR in your nondominant arm. (If you're right-handed, then your left arm is your nondominant arm, and vice versa.)

Travel tips

• Make sure you wear your compression garment when you travel. This is especially important with air travel, as changes in cabin pressure can make lymphedema worse.
• Talk to your physician about taking prescription antibiotics with you, in case you develop an infection during the trip.

Support

Many support groups are available to provide encouragement, tips, and friendship. Ask your hospital social worker or oncology nurse to help you link up with one. In addition, check out books such as Living Well with Lymphedema by Ehrlich, Vinjé-Harrewijn, and McMahon, 2005.