DVT
Hi Guys - I've got a really long flight coming up shortly, 14 hours non-stop. I don't think I fall into a risk category of getting DVT but it's good to be prepared. Anyone got any good suggestions for prevention. It's difficult to get up too much - especially when the lights are dimmed and people are asleep. I will try to wiggle my legs and feet as much as possible and I have some support knee-high stockings - other than than I don't know what else to do.
Grateful for any advice.
Love
Answers:
Hi Lotus!
My g/f's family suffer from DVT, so far her nan, dad, uncle and older brother have all had a clot in various parts of their body!!
Her dad is quite a successful businessman and regularly flies twice a week, and often over to america every month or so.
All he does is wear the 'flight socks' your support ones are probably the same and he gets up to go to the loo a few times.
Having said that he does have to take 'warfarin' medication which thins out his blood so that might be why he doesn't have to do much!
As long as you try and keep moving every now and then, i.e go to the loo, raise your legs up and down like you are walking etc you should be fine, especially if there is no history of it in your family.
I know you might feel uncomfortable having to ask people to get up if you do not have an aisle seat, but personally I would rather irritate someone i'll probably never see again rather than end up with a clot as i've seen how serious they can be (especially if you end up with one in your lung or heart).
Please don't be worried though, chances of it are extremely remote! even less likely if you keep the circulation going!
hope this helps and have a lovely time whereever you are going!! :D
Answers:
Hey Lotus
Don't panic!
I was worried about DVT too, and Asprinwas advised to me to thin the blood, and I was suppsoed to take half an asprin a day for a week or so leading up to the flight? (but check this with a doctor though huh?)
I found two things really important on the flight:
1. getting up, moving around, doing leg exercises (you look silly but hey who cares), bending and stretching, not feeling embarrased to stand near the loos for 10 minutes to stretch the legs and wiggle them around!
2. having a footrest. not something i think airlines privide but i made my own so that my legs could be in varying positions in front of me. i think i used two blankets folded up with a magazine on top to make it flatter. the airline WILL provide these things so it's about you being creative with resources!
Hope this helps a bit!
Ax
Answers:
Thanks Steve and Alxpix
Sound advice, - I shall take it all on board (pun itended;)).
I'm off to Thailand and I have done thise journey loads of times - it's just that DVT hasn't raised it's ugly head before - but it's good to be aware of any potential problems.
Thanks again
Love
Answers:
You can find inflatable foot cushions, which you can use to exercise with while you are sitting. I've done a few long-haul flights in the last couple of years, and no-one seems to mind when people need to get up and move around, especially if they are sitting in the aisle seat - anyway, it is not as if you are all tucked up in bed at home - it is already a 'strange' environment. Do whatever you need to do - no one will remember the minor inconveniences once they get to their destination.
Grateful for any advice.
Love
Answers:
Hi Lotus!
My g/f's family suffer from DVT, so far her nan, dad, uncle and older brother have all had a clot in various parts of their body!!
Her dad is quite a successful businessman and regularly flies twice a week, and often over to america every month or so.
All he does is wear the 'flight socks' your support ones are probably the same and he gets up to go to the loo a few times.
Having said that he does have to take 'warfarin' medication which thins out his blood so that might be why he doesn't have to do much!
As long as you try and keep moving every now and then, i.e go to the loo, raise your legs up and down like you are walking etc you should be fine, especially if there is no history of it in your family.
I know you might feel uncomfortable having to ask people to get up if you do not have an aisle seat, but personally I would rather irritate someone i'll probably never see again rather than end up with a clot as i've seen how serious they can be (especially if you end up with one in your lung or heart).
Please don't be worried though, chances of it are extremely remote! even less likely if you keep the circulation going!
hope this helps and have a lovely time whereever you are going!! :D
Answers:
Hey Lotus
Don't panic!
I was worried about DVT too, and Asprinwas advised to me to thin the blood, and I was suppsoed to take half an asprin a day for a week or so leading up to the flight? (but check this with a doctor though huh?)
I found two things really important on the flight:
1. getting up, moving around, doing leg exercises (you look silly but hey who cares), bending and stretching, not feeling embarrased to stand near the loos for 10 minutes to stretch the legs and wiggle them around!
2. having a footrest. not something i think airlines privide but i made my own so that my legs could be in varying positions in front of me. i think i used two blankets folded up with a magazine on top to make it flatter. the airline WILL provide these things so it's about you being creative with resources!
Hope this helps a bit!
Ax
Answers:
Thanks Steve and Alxpix
Sound advice, - I shall take it all on board (pun itended;)).
I'm off to Thailand and I have done thise journey loads of times - it's just that DVT hasn't raised it's ugly head before - but it's good to be aware of any potential problems.
Thanks again
Love
Answers:
You can find inflatable foot cushions, which you can use to exercise with while you are sitting. I've done a few long-haul flights in the last couple of years, and no-one seems to mind when people need to get up and move around, especially if they are sitting in the aisle seat - anyway, it is not as if you are all tucked up in bed at home - it is already a 'strange' environment. Do whatever you need to do - no one will remember the minor inconveniences once they get to their destination.