flight socks

[lucy_love_]

hi

me again. i bet you will all be glad when im in wdw.

my period is due on the day we fly out so i have opted to go on the pill just beforehand to prevent this. as im already worried about dvt the increased risk of being on the pill will make me highly paranoid that im might die (im always this dramatic). i was thinking of wearing flight socks (just to eliviate the paranoia). does anyone have any info on these. do they give them out at the airpost or do i need to buy some. if i need to buy some where are the cheepest and where are the best?

love

lucy

 

[feistyblue]

You have to buy them and they're not particularly cheap either. You can get them at Boots and similar places.There was a big research study done about them with results given on the most effective and from memory Scholl came out top. If you did a google seach you could probably find it easily.

Once you know which pair you want (they also come in sizes relevant to heigt/weight) eBay might be your best bet for a cheap-ish new pair.

I was really paranoid by DVT and bought some last year, but after reading the instructions about exactly how you have to put them on I didn't bother with the faff! You can't just put them on like a pair of socks.

So I consoled myself with trips around the plane every hour or so, into UC, and up the stairs too. I made ds join me too, as he just sits totally still on flights and is glued to his seat.

 

[RUSHBURY]

Hi

My DH won't fly without them - he has had several operations on his legs and was advised to wear them. Yes they have to be put on a particular way. He always puts them on in his bed before he puts his foot down on the floor - this is how he was told to put them on - to do with the circulation. I don't use them at all I tried to put one on and gave up.

 

[MizzPrincezz]

Hi again Lucy

I have the same problem as you mine is due half way through my holiday and I considered going on the pill too. However I dscussed this with my doctor and she definitely didnt recommend it So I got tablets from her that supress the blood flow and make the period less painful & heavy so hopefully this should help

I also have those special stockings for the flight (my sunt is a nurse and we got them off her.

Just my luck

Anyway NOTHING is going to spoil this holiday....Im determined


Karon

 

[Netty]

you can get flight socks for about 5 pound in asda.
Jeanette

 

[wendydis]

hi
i was one of those unfortunates to get a DVT from the pill!!!, 7 years ago, and we are going to Disney for the first time in April 05.

I have spoken to my doctor and as a precaution i have to have an injection of claxen( thinks thats the way you spell it???) 6 hours before flying both ways to thin my blood.

I was just wondering if anyone has had to carry needles on the plane?,( i will have my doctors note and also insurance company know.) just wondering what else will need to carry?

Iwish i could just wear the socks and not have the injections, but will have to suffering that couple of secs pain to go on holiday of a lifetime.

Wendy

 

[Miffy2003]

Hi Wendy,

I've sent you a PM

Cheers


Karen

 

[RachaelAitken]

Hi there,
As i work as an anticoagulation nurse consider myself something of an expert on this!! so thought i'd share the advice we give to our patients.
The risk of developing a DVT from long haul air travel is actually statistically quite low. I think media reports which have the benefit of raising awareness can also have the other effect of creating alarm.
The pill affects hormone levels which slightly increases your risk of DVT but only very slightly and it sounds as though you have no other risk factors such as prior DVT or family history of such. Also you will have only been on the pill for a very short time.
I obviously dont know your medical history but it may be worth talking to your GP about maybe taking a low dose aspirin before and after the flights. If they consider you a high risk as with the other poster who had a previous DVT they may put you on heparin injections although we do this vey rarely and i think in you case it would not be indicated.Your local hospital will have a DVT or anticoag nurse such as myself and i'm sure they would also be glad to help. Just ask the hospital switchboard to put you through.

General advice would be

Avoid alcohol during the flight but keep well hydrated with water or soft drinks

Get up and walk about at least hourly if you can. If not flex your feet up and down whilst seated to encourage venous blood flow.

Flight socks offer a little compression needed to keep good blood flow but they are not a replacement for mobilising. Don't waste your money on a cheap brand as they will be next to useless. Boots and scholl are probably your best bets and they cost about £15 but you will be able to use them again on future hols. Before you go to buy measure your calf around the widest point and around your ankle aspect as these are the measurements they normally go by to ensure a good fit. Avoid the ones that go on shoe size as you can imagine one person who takes a size 6 probably varies greatly in leg shape from another!

Remember to wear them on the way home as this is when most people forget. Remember to mobilise then too even if its the usual UK overnight flights.

I hope i've reassured or helped a little. We have loads of patients referred this time of year with ?DVT but the vast majority do not have one.

Have a great trip and don't worry! Rachael


PS... to the poster worried about taking sharps or needles on flights. Your GP or anticoag nuse can give you a headed hospital letter explaining what it is and why you're on it and you should have no probs taking them on. They should be able to go in your hand luggage.

 

[lucy_love_]

hi

thanks rachel this is great and very reasuring. the doc i saw for the pill (as i went to family planning as its easier than seeing my gp with an appointment) did say take an asprin.

i feel much better now and dont think i will worry. as im going on hol with 2 dd's i wont be drinking on the flight. (unlike when i went to paris alone lol)

thanks again

love

lucy

 

[disneyholic family]

wow.....and i thought i was a worrier....
i always have to fly 12 hours non-stop just to get to new york...
no problems thus far.....get up and walk around a bit...
easier said than done when there's turbulence (of which there tends to be quite a bit in hurricane season.....two weeks ago, out of 12 hours, there were exactly two times i could get up and race to the bathroom, while the plane settled enough for the seatbelt sign to be turned off......

have a nice flight...

 

[lucy_love_]

hi

im not worried about the actual flight. i love flying. it was the pill that was worrying me. saying that my dh who flew to and from america aprox 24 times in 2 years hates flying and has to have a swift drink to calm his nerves (i dont understand it myself). or maybe its an excuse to have a swift drink. lol

love

lucy

 

[T16GEM]

lucy i know how you feel, i am a worrier,especially about this type of thing!!
I tend to take a low dose soluable (SP) asprin once a day for 2-3 days before we fly, I am also on the pill. Doc usually just suggests that we walk and drink a lot of water.

You will be fine, just follow the advice!