V-Flyer

Just watched the BBC consumer program "Should I worry" this week it was about flying, i found it intersting, if a little sensational, but the thing that struck me was the DVT tests.

I have never really worried about this, my dad always takes an asprin before he flies, as says it is better to be safe.

I just wondered what you views were, and what if any precautions your take.

Cheers
Bluefish

Walk to the bar and back several times - that'll keep the circulation going

Actually, I don't worry about it that much - I do like to have a little walk around the cabin every few hours (but then I have restless feet anyway). I do try some "in-seat" e%£#(!$£ - ankle rotation, leg stretches and the like, but not a lot else

Cheers

Michael

Yes I just watched that too and no I dont worry about DVT that much. I have always had the belief that DVT is not just a flying thing, as the program demonstarted there's an equal risk when on a long coach journey, for example. I think it's the sitting down in the same position for hours that causes the problem.

When flying I too like a wander around a few times (mostly to explore the A/C ) and do some of the foot exercises etc when sat down. My shoes always come off as soon as I sit down.

Regards

I hadn't personally worried about it until this year when I had to undergo a major surgery only 7 weeks before a planned holiday.

I checked with my consultant on my 6 week check up and he agreed that I was fine to travel on the understanding that I took 1 aspirin a day for 4 days before and after the flight and wore the DVT stockings I had while I was in hospital and made sure I kept moving around every hour or so. No alcohol for me during those flights either.

I missed the TV program so I don't know what the DVT tests involved, but I think I would rather be safe and well and I intend to continue to use the aspirin and stockings, though I can't say I won't have the alcohol but I do try to drink a glass water for every 2 glasses of champagne

Cheers

Shaz

quote:Originally posted by shazam
I do try to drink a glass water for every 2 glasses of champagne

Interesting formula - I usually go with 1 glass water per bottle of red (wouldn't want to overdo it now )

Cheers

Michael

FWIW Mrs D and I have the same ritual...

Get on

Request water
Dissolve Airborn Tablets in water
In meantime change into Scholl DVT socks
Drink Airborn with Aspirin

That's it...

Airborn being a multivit/mineral etc etc designed to avoid getting ill on planes...

HI Decker

Just out of interest can you shed some more light on the vitamins?

I have been using some of the "No JetLag" tablets but always interested nin other options.

Cheers
Bluefish

I always usw drugstore.com BUT http://www.letravelstore.com/HHAB1.htm comes up on google

quote:Originally posted by mcuth

quote:Originally posted by shazam
I do try to drink a glass water for every 2 glasses of champagne

Interesting formula - I usually go with 1 glass water per bottle of red (wouldn't want to overdo it now )

Has there been a confusion? Don't you mean 2 glasses of champagne per bottle of red (the glass of water somehow cancelling in a mathematical formula way....)? [?]:D[8D]

quote:Originally posted by onionz
Has there been a confusion? Don't you mean 2 glasses of champagne per bottle of red (the glass of water somehow cancelling in a mathematical formula way....)? [?]:D[8D]

Actually, sometimes I can be a little sensible
I do get a bit dehydrated when drinking red wine, but champagne would do just as well as a water substitute

Cheers

Michael

I've never really thought about it too much. As soon as I am in my seat shoes come off, during the flight like to walk about every few hours, always give my legs a shift around and move around in my seat.

I think about the millions of people that fly everyday and the number of cases of DVT. Its one of those things probably more like to be hit by a bus etc.

Foz xxx

A couple of times now I have drank merrily, slept blissfully, then woke up with a headache with a few hours still to go. Now getting a hangover on a flight is not big nor clever...

The champagne on board is pretty dire. My own regime is to try as much of the wine selection as possible and then make informed, Michael Winner-esque recommendations to your seatmate....actually no scrap that for an idea....[8D]

By the way, i just remembered the thread topic. I think if you've ever travelled longhaul in economy, drunk like a trooper and not moved about and you're still reading this....

quote:Originally posted by onionz
A couple of times now I have drank merrily, slept blissfully, then woke up with a headache with a few hours still to go. Now getting a hangover on a flight is not big nor clever...

The champagne on board is pretty dire. My own regime is to try as much of the wine selection as possible and then make informed, Michael Winner-esque recommendations to your seatmate....actually no scrap that for an idea....[8D]

By the way, i just remembered the thread topic. I think if you've ever travelled longhaul in economy, drunk like a trooper and not moved about and you're still reading this....

On occasion I have had far too much to drink (we're not talking about the regular event known as 'weekend' here) [}:)] and you are right it's certainly not big or clever! Fortunately I didn't used to get hangovers Hubby still refuses to wear the flight socks, has "never taken a tablet in his life" and refuses to start now and thank goodness has a constitution of steel and never really get's drunk no matter how much he drinks and believe me he tries! (don't you just hate people like that??)

My cautiousness now is only because I have been very ill and must be down to my (finally) growing up?! (though some would disagree here)

I agree with mitchja though, that these problems can arise sitting anywhere in the same position for long periods.

I checked out a lot of websites before I went away after my surgery because I knew I was at high risk and I take the precautions that were recommended. I don't think you can do much more than that and as Fozzyo says it could as easily be the number 14 bus that gets ya!

Shaz

Birkin and I always take our Aspirins (75mg) for three days before and after our flights, tried the socks too but they were uncomfortable, made my feet hot and kept falling down so after a couple of attempts they were abandoned.

I usually drink more than I should (not just on aircraft ) but do try to take plenty of water on board too.

Just sensible and widely accepted precautions, didn't see the prog BTW.

Being a Diabetic, I take the soluble asprin anyway, but whilst not suffering from DVT, I do get cracked skin on my feet after an 8 hour flight. Short of getting my socks off on the plane (Not a good idea! ) and rubbing cream on, there is little I can do, so DVT comes low on my personal list of priorites when flying.
If you take sensible precautions, asprin, flight socks, you should be OK. It was first called "Economy Class Syndrome" but it has been shown to effect all plane classes of flight

quote:kept falling down

Bazz, it is the socks that keep falling down I assume.

Foz )

I often do the long haul at once to NZ- i normally go thru asia as you have a longer connecting time (3hrs on SQ) so i feel its better for the old legs- i try to get up and walkabout as often as posisble and do some stretches as well as drink water, so i guess at the back of my mind i do worry about it. But a word of warning its not only flying that can cause dvt- i know of someone who sadly passed away last month from DVT which he got from lying in bed in a strange position.

quote:Originally posted by fozzyo

quote:kept falling down

Bazz, it is the socks that keep falling down I assume.

Foz )

LOL Foz, the socks fall down more regularly

My Dad had a DVT about five years ago after a couple of flights and a holiday that involved lots of driving (Essex to Scotland in a day at his speed is not to be recommended). Subsequent tests showed a genetic component, which I have inherited. I have to do the flight socks, aspirin and water thing. I usually lay off the booze as well, though a couple of beers on a night flight and a champagne on boarding help me to relax.

Further investigation around our broader family (Uncles and cousins of my Dad) have shown a handful of DVT related deaths. If you have one in your family, ber careful.

Must admit, this thread has made me think about it a bit more for next time.

Foz )

I tend to take one aspirin daily for a week before flying. I also tend to drink freely on the 'plane (alcohol and water)

Gin & tonic helps (and fights off malaria too;))

Oh, and since flying UC for the first time. I can add exercise between seat and bar:D

I remember seeming some consumer programme where a bloke was complaining about the airline's liability for him getting a DVT, despite the fact he'd spent the 12hours before the flight sitting on an Indian bus, taken a sleeping tablet once on board and hadn't moved at all whilst in the air.

I'm in the process of being tested for a genetic condition which, if I have it, will mean I'm more than averagedly susceptible to clots. I tend to be a bit careful anyway beacuse of other risk factors (weigh more than I should, contraceptive pill etc), so I have a very fetching pair of DVT socks and keep myself mobile while in flight. I don't tend to drink whilst in the air, but only becasue I can't appreciate the taste properly, and drink lots of water, so my skin isn't too dreadful when I arrive. In general I have a very pragmatic approach to risk - do what you can within reason to manage it, but don't get overly concerned about something that is unlikley to happen.

The doctor in the flat upstaris from me subscribes to the fittingly titled 'Thrombus' magazine, which is entirely devoted to DVT . . .

I'm so nervous that from the moment I sit down until we're about 2 hours into the journey my heartrate is doing the fandango and my leg tends to jiggle continously. I'm sure this helps the circulation by which time there's usually 3 or 4 hours left of the journey and with a visit to the loo and a couple of times into the overhead bins and I'm sure that I'm OK.

I've never had an alcoholic drink on an aeroplane, usually because I'm always concerned that when I land I immediately jump into a car and drive.

JC.

quote:with a visit to the loo and a couple of times into the overhead bins

That is not a pretty image to think about...