Anyone experience deep vein thrombosis?

[cove]

So I hear quite a few people get DVT and recently one of my colleagues got it from long haul flights.
How do you know and what should you do?

 

[legroom]

So I hear quite a few people get DVT and recently one of my colleagues got it from long haul flights.
How do you know and what should you do?

Aching pain and swelling in the calf with or without an identifiable risk factor (long distance travel, pregnancy, bed bound, cancer or one of the uncommon (inherited) hyper-coagulable conditions)

Prevention is the best medicine: hydration and frequent ankle movement to promote blood flow.

If in doubt, have it checked ASAP as the blood clot could break off and travel to the lungs with potentially fatal consequences.

Diagnosis is relatively quick and simple.

Treatment is anti coagulation for some months.

Could recur if given half a chance.

 

[cove]

So could that start as a cramp in a calf muscle on a long haul flight?
I had to walk up and down the stairs on a long haul flight and wondered if that could have been something bad that was starting.
I now wear compression socks and run a Resmed sleep apnea machine on board.

 

[legroom]

I forgot about the compression socks (1:30am !). You are right.

Most people complains of a mild / moderate calf aching rather than a cramp.

If the calves are asymmetrical , you have an issue right there.

See a Dr on arrival if that is the case.

For a fuller discussion, see here (http://www.bupa.com.au/health-and-w...on/az-health-information/deep-vein-thrombosis)

I always remind myself to move my feet up & down every 15-20 min for 2-3 min simulating the act of walking - when I am awake, of course.

 

[Pushka]

Last month a friend of ours in good health traveled to New York (at least in J, probably F) and arrived home in good health. A week later she died in her sleep. She was in her late 50's. There were no suspicious circumstances.

Clearly as there were no other reasons at the time, it was discussed that cause of death was either pulmonary thrombosis, cerebral thrombosis (both from flying) or unexpected asthma attack.

I'm still unsure as to cause as tests take several weeks to complete.

 

[Cynicor]

Probably not, was most likely just a cramp.

Also pain in thigh or thigh swelling- below knee DVT is not a huge issue.

It's one of those things that would start on the plane but would increase in size after, so you might come in 1-5+ days post flight, rather than straight off the plane and realise something is wrong.

As mentioned before, it's partly just bad luck, but hydration and movement will help.

 

[legroom]

.... Also pain in thigh or thigh swelling....

That would be a suite-class problem right there, Master Cove.

 

[under the radar]

As mentioned before, it's partly just bad luck, but hydration and movement will help.[/QUOTE]

DVT can present itself because of a PRE EXISITING conditions due to genetics or lifestyle.... of that person...DVT DOESNT JUST HAPPEN .. there are many factors involved ...flying in a pressurized aircraft is just another 'factor' .... it's certainly not the cause of DVT... at least airlines provide info!!

 

[Princess Fiona]

As mentioned before, it's partly just bad luck, but hydration and movement will help.

DVT can present itself because of a PRE EXISITING conditions due to genetics or lifestyle.... of that person...DVT DOESNT JUST HAPPEN .. there are many factors involved ...flying in a pressurized aircraft is just another 'factor' .... it's certainly not the cause of DVT... at least airlines provide info!![/QUOTE]

Travelling for a long time in an aircraft (or car, bus) for that matter certainly is a risk factor for DVT. I think it's great that airlines provide info for passengers who may be unaware of the risk and ways to minimise the chances of it happening to them.

 

[Globetrotter]

Does popping an Aspirin help? I always take one before a flight. I think it does me good mentally

 

[Princess Fiona]

Does popping an Aspirin help? I always take one before a flight. I think it does me good mentally

Not really, but never underestimate the power of the mind

 

[legroom]

Does popping an Aspirin help? I always take one before a flight. I think it does me good mentally

There is some data on this subject where patients were given placebo, aspirin or anti-coagulant.

In summary, there is no benefit for Aspirin but there is (benefit) from one single dose of anticoagulant.

This is for high risk patients e.g. past history of DVT / pulmonary blood clots, cancer patients, immobility etc... so for an average person, this is not required.

Note that 85% of DVT cases occured in non-aisle seats: a strong argument against window seats (in Y at least where getting out is a hassle).

See here and here

 

[Quickstatus]

No personal experience, but lose weight, stop smoking, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate and move.

Most recent flight LAX-SYD: I drank 12 tall glasses of water, soft drinks in J lounge, and I did not have to do a pee until after the supper service. Was not even busting.

It is easy to fall behind in the water dept.

I use compression stockings, and give myself a single dose clexane injection for flights further than Aust/NZ whether flying Y or J. Only one injection will get you to final destination as it lasts 24 hours.

I dont drink alcohol-I always tell the J/Y CSM/FA this at the first offer of drink on airplane.

 

[AngieP]

No personal experience, but lose weight, stop smoking, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate and move.

Most recent flight LAX-SYD: I drank 12 tall glasses of water, soft drinks in J lounge, and I did not have to do a pee until after the supper service. Was not even busting.

It is easy to fall behind in the water dept.

I use compression stockings, and give myself a single dose clexane injection for flights further than Aust/NZ whether flying Y or J. Only one injection will get you to final destination as it lasts 24 hours.

I dont drink alcohol-I always tell the J/Y CSM/FA this at the first offer of drink on airplane.

Now I know what to do with my leftover clexane! Thanks for the tip!

 

[cove]

Not to miss out I will go the placebo.

 

[legroom]

Not to miss out I will go the placebo.

So do I.

(AFF told me my message is less than 10 words, so there it is)

 

[cove]

Joking aside, I read the BUPA document that covered pulmonary embolism and that is the number five killer.
We tend to go to the pool once we get to Los Angeles as it feels like it does you some good off a long haul plane ride.

 

[JohnK]

Some interesting thoughts.

I have been suffering from venous insufficiency for many years. My legs swell and my calves ache most times mainly at the end of the day or after golf.

There have been times where I have take off my shoes mid flight and i have not been able to get shoes back on again. I am not sure if I am at risk of deep vein thrombosis but I try not to overdo the hydration.

 

[legroom]

Some interesting thoughts.

I have been suffering from venous insufficiency for many years. My legs swell and my calves ache most times mainly at the end of the day or after golf.

There have been times where I have take off my shoes mid flight and i have not been able to get shoes back on again. I am not sure if I am at risk of deep vein thrombosis but I try not to overdo the hydration.

Chronic venous insufficiency leads to venous blood pooling and stasis - factors which predispose to DVT.

It's a risk i.e. a higher than an average person risk.

See here (http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1085412-overview#6)

Not personal advice, but I'd read post #12 again.

 

[cove]

Legroom i think walking and bike riding looks like a good plan. The only thing I worry about on a bike is running into a dog in the half light and going A over K with a loud crunch on the landing.
i still remember going down some stairs in Circular Quay on my bike and was really happy I wasn't going the other way.
Thanks for your medscape post.