Cruise swelling??? Anyone else???

[SeaSpray]

We've been cruising for over 10 years now, and my worst swelling experience was last year on the Magic. We were on the first NYC-Bahamas-WDW 8-night cruise. About halfway through the cruise my ankles swelled a LOT (yes, I had cankles! ), and because I have high blood pressure it worried me a little. I take my BP medication religiously, and I take ibuprophen several times a week with no swelling, so this was definitely a reaction to something on the cruise.

DH was sick on the cruise and we had to visit the medical area a few times; the doctor checked my BP for me so at least I knew it wasn't high.

At bedtime I put an extra pillow beneath my ankles, to reduce swelling, and I also would run cold water in the tub and soak my feet for a little while.

I think I'll ask my own doctor for advice, before our next cruise.

P.S. I don't remember swelling while on any other type of vacation; I think it has a lot to do with the sodium levels in the food on the ship.

 

[sippican]

It's the same thing. Salt is sodium chloride. Most people don't sit at the dinner table saying, "Please pass the sodium chloride."
When I first starting taking blood pressure meds, my dr. warned me to try to avoid ibuprofen when possible; it has sodium in it also. Not that I can't ever have it, but it shouldn't be the first thing for me to try for a headache.

A common misconception, but not completely accurate.
http://chemistry.about.com/od/moleculescompounds/a/Sodium-Versus-Salt.htm

 

[Beechparty]

This is an antioxidant found in the vitamin aisle. I used to get swollen ankles and rashes when traveling, during summers, and lots of walking like at WDW. Now i take this once a day during these times and never have any troubles at all. Recently just toured 2 weeks in Europe and it worked great. Forgot to take it one day well into the trip and that next morning swollen ankles. Remembered to take it and next day I was fine.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

This is an antioxidant found in the vitamin aisle. I used to get swollen ankles and rashes when traveling, during summers, and lots of walking like at WDW. Now i take this once a day during these times and never have any troubles at all. Recently just toured 2 weeks in Europe and it worked great. Forgot to take it one day well into the trip and that next morning swollen ankles. Remembered to take it and next day I was fine.

Twinkie had feet swollen like sausages day 3. Can you share specifics or PM? Thanks!

 

[SweetSpot]

This happens to me, on cruises and in the parks. My doctor said the "rash" is broken capillaries from the swelling. It sounds (and feels) scarier than it is.

After trying a ton of different things, the only thing I've found to keep it from happening in the first place is to take Ibuprofen, starting the day before travel, and throughout the whole vacation.

If you get this from swelling on cruises or especially when you are on your feet all day try compression stockings. I was really resistant but they are wonderful. They keep blood circulating in your legs and all the swelling our, which stops the broken capillaries. You will have so much more energy in your legs as the day goes on and at the end of the day no swelling.

 

[SweetSpot]

I found this all interesting. I start to swell as soon as we get on an airplane and it usually lasts the whole cruise or vacation. I try to sleep with my feet up at night. Glad I am not the only one.

I don't want to sound as if I'm promoting them but compression stockings are great for flying. I never heard of compression stockings until my friend's husband, who flies long distances weekly, had blood clots in his legs from flying. He now needs to wear compression stocking when he flies t prevent clots.

A couple weeks later I took my mom to the doctors because of swelling and she was told to wear compression stockings daily. In talking to all the doctors I take her to and their nurses compression stockings are widely used by nurses, frequent flyers, and doctors to aid circulation and swelling from being on your feet or sitting too long.

Also, Ibuprofen is not good for swelling. I have issues with swelling and my nephrologist told me to stay away from ibuprofen because it can cause swelling.

 

[tinkerone]

I only have this happen if I fly first. it really swells my feet and ankles. once i'm on the ship I'm fine (touch wood) but if i'm staying at the resorts it will last the entire stay. I have thought maybe its because I walk more at the resorts but have my feet up most of the cruise. not really sure.

 

[BethA]

Anyone take anything nonprescription?

 

[PinGirl]

Anyone take anything nonprescription?

There are a few things that have helped me:

1) On the flight to the cruise wear compression socks. Keep them on for two hours after arrival at your destination. Also purchase Compression socks available at Target and Walmart. They look like simple white socks, no one knows you have them on and If you have a long days of walking - they are a life saver!

2) Drink lots of water with Lemon. Lemons are high in potassium and are natural electrolytes.

3) Check any medication you take. Make sure it does not carry a Side Effect of pedal edema, or high blood calcium.

4) Eat lots of Avocados and Apricots. They are great natural sources of potassium.

5) Drink bottled water - less sodas. If you are salt sensitive the desalinated water on the ship can add to your discomfort. Order your own or carry it on with you.

 

[tinkerone]

I know this is an old thread however I just wanted to let you all know I tried pingirls and sweetspots idea of using compression socks and it worked wonderfully! no swelling at all. I had googled it first to see if others had tried this and there were several positive reports.
so, thanks for the suggestion, I will continue to use them when traveling.

 

[slzer0]

That was an interesting point about the desalinated water. Maybe it does have residual salt in it?

 

[DaymanX]

I'm convinced it's the residual sodium in the desalinated water.

We actually ate pretty well on both of our Disney cruises, alcohol consumption was at a normal level for us, and we did drink a lot of water on the ship.

When we got home, we actually weighed slightly less than before leaving on the cruise, yet we both felt incredibly bloated.

We both blame the water.

 

[cruisecrasher]

I'm convinced it's the residual sodium in the desalinated water. We actually ate pretty well on both of our Disney cruises, alcohol consumption was at a normal level for us, and we did drink a lot of water on the ship. When we got home, we actually weighed slightly less than before leaving on the cruise, yet we both felt incredibly bloated. We both blame the water.

I think it's the salt too.
But the salt in the air not the water.
I have to drink a ton of water at sea to keep from feeling dehydrated and bottled v. ship water makes no difference.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I think it's the high amounts of salt in the food they serve. I rarely add salt to anything at home and all the food tastes incredibly salty onboard. We drink lots of water, even buy a case of bottled water for 7 nt cruises (no tap water except to brush teeth), and yet I still get puffy hands, feet & ankles.

After around 2 days of being home, it goes away.

 

[alagille]

I think it's the high amounts of salt in the food they serve. I rarely add salt to anything at home and all the food tastes incredibly salty onboard. We drink lots of water, even buy a case of bottled water for 7 nt cruises (no tap water except to brush teeth), and yet I still get puffy hands, feet & ankles. After around 2 days of being home, it goes away.

BINGO! All you have to do to get an idea just HOW much salt is in restaurant foods is to google your favorite restaurant online (ie TGIFridays.com) and HUNT on their website- (they don't want you to see this, really!) for the nutritional guide.

An average person's salt (sodium) intake should be around 2000-2500mg per day. Most of the entrees have AT LEAST one day's worth of salt in just that one plate. Many have more and some, up to 3 DAYs worth in one plate. Then, you have to add in your appetizers, extras.

Do the math and just think about eating 3-4 meals at restaurants per day for 3-7 days in a row and see how much salt you'll be consuming.

FYI, it's the salt/sodium excess that makes your ankles, legs and hands swell. And, sometimes, your face is even puffy in the mornings, too.

 

[DenLo]

This happens to me, on cruises and in the parks. My doctor said the "rash" is broken capillaries from the swelling. It sounds (and feels) scarier than it is.

After trying a ton of different things, the only thing I've found to keep it from happening in the first place is to take Ibuprofen, starting the day before travel, and throughout the whole vacation.

If you get this from swelling on cruises or especially when you are on your feet all day try compression stockings. I was really resistant but they are wonderful. They keep blood circulating in your legs and all the swelling our, which stops the broken capillaries. You will have so much more energy in your legs as the day goes on and at the end of the day no swelling.

If we cruise or go to WDW in the warmer months, I have lots of problems with swelling in my feet and fingers. And I am prone to Disney rash! which is what the Celebration Hospital calls the vasculitis outbreaks many Disney guests get and end up in the emergency room with severe burning and pain. It starts out as a slight rash the elevation of the legs can help the swelling and rash to go away. The ER doctor and my own physician as well research on the internet confirm that wearing compression stockings will help. But even more important is to use 50 SPF or higher on your legs and reapply hourly. The sun reflects off the surface of the pavement at the parks and decks onboard ship and it increases tenfold the amount of sun your legs are getting and if you are prone to poor circulation you will have swelling and rashes.

Someone mentioned potassium, cantaloupe, broccoli and salmon are good sources too. I have found that drinking Smartwater also helps.

 

[justmestace]

If we cruise or go to WDW in the warmer months, I have lots of problems with swelling in my feet and fingers. And I am prone to Disney rash! which is what the Celebration Hospital calls the vasculitis outbreaks many Disney guests get and end up in the emergency room with severe burning and pain. It starts out as a slight rash the elevation of the legs can help the swelling and rash to go away. The ER doctor and my own physician as well research on the internet confirm that wearing compression stockings will help. But even more important is to use 50 SPF or higher on your legs and reapply hourly. The sun reflects off the surface of the pavement at the parks and decks onboard ship and it increases tenfold the amount of sun your legs are getting and if you are prone to poor circulation you will have swelling and rashes.

Someone mentioned potassium, cantaloupe, broccoli and salmon are good sources too. I have found that drinking Smartwater also helps.

Thanks for the tip about the sunscreen. I'll definitely do that next time....and I'll still take the Ibuprofen, I don't seem to have any side effects from it.

But I just can't see myself wearing compression stockings around Disney in the summer. And it doesn't happen when I go in the winter.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Thanks for the tip about the sunscreen. I'll definitely do that next time....and I'll still take the Ibuprofen, I don't seem to have any side effects from it.

But I just can't see myself wearing compression stockings around Disney in the summer. And it doesn't happen when I go in the winter.

Oh my gosh, I don't wear them in WDW. I wear them to bed at night and basically while walking around in our room when I know we're in for the night. It still helps a lot.
I wear them to work also because I'm on my feet all day. A coworker just tried them and loves how her legs feel so much better by the end of the day. I joke that you have to be > 80 yrs old to walk around with them with shorts in public.

 

[justmestace]

Oh my gosh, I don't wear them in WDW. I wear them to bed at night and basically while walking around in our room when I know we're in for the night. It still helps a lot.
I wear them to work also because I'm on my feet all day. A coworker just tried them and loves how her legs feel so much better by the end of the day. I joke that you have to be > 80 yrs old to walk around with them with shorts in public.

Ahhh....okay....sorry for being dense. I had found a cool-pack wrap that was intended for travel, at CVS, but I can't find them anymore. They were really helpful. I'd wrap my legs at night after a long day in the parks.
I have found similar ones, but these were reusable and didn't have to be frozen or refrigerated.

 

[Love2Cruz]

Glad I found this thread. I just got back from a 3 day on the Dream and I experienced this foot and ankle swelling for the first time. I was in Europe this summer on a 7 day and did not experience it, so not sure what the culprit is as I drank lots of water on both cruises. It was very uncomfortable and it even radiated up into my lower legs and and I normally have very thin ankles, but they looked liked wooden stacked blocks. I did notice the food, while tasty was salty, especially at Cabanas...I found the MDR dinners to be fine. I only had one alcoholic drink per day and mainly drank water and sugar free iced tea.

I didn't fly and I noticed it on Day 2 of the cruise, we didn't do any excursions other than spending a beach day on CC on the 3rd day. Even my face and eyes were retaining fluid...it was so bizarre. I hope it goes away fast.