Window seats increase risk of deadly disease

[Simo]

I always prefer an Aisle seat over a window.

The only thing I hate is the person who wants to get up and go for a walk every 10 mins when i want to sleep.

 

[drron]

I always prefer an Aisle seat over a window.

The only thing I hate is the person who wants to get up and go for a walk every 10 mins when i want to sleep.

Even worse last night in 3C on VA when I was nodding off each time Mr 4C would get up tugging at 3C putting in to full recline each time awakening me with a start.Mr. 3A was grinning.:evil:

 

[Simo]

Even worse last night in 3C on VA when I was nodding off each time Mr 4C would get up tugging at 3C putting in to full recline each time awakening me with a start.Mr. 3A was grinning.:evil:

Real pet hate of mine the person who pulls them selves up by using your chair.

 

[missafternoondelight]

Suppose I'd better weigh in on this one...
Kind of a funny story - I got a DVT after I tore my calf muscle, from slipping on an oil slick at a petrol station (a few days after returning from Brisbane, but its probably not related to the flight). I couldn't walk very well on it, and the doctor said to stay off the leg so it could heal. Given that I was 23 at the time, I suppose he thought the risk of DVT was low. Trust me, you will know if you get one. It starts off as a dull ache which gets progressively more painful, so it is unbearable to stand on it,or use the muscles. I continued working, and by Friday, I started feeling short of breath, but didn't have any other respiratory / cold like symptoms. I even joked to a friend that I was dying of a DVT, and remember drawing a grave stone with my name on it on my whiteboard! haha..
Went to the doctor that night, and he said I should get to emergency, though he didn't call me an ambulance, mind you. I guess he wanted to save me the money and thought I'd make it. I made it to St Mary's Cathedral, opposite Royal Perth, before I collapsed. A hospital orderly came past, and I asked him if he could take me to emergency, but all he said was, 'It's right over there!' and walked off. I closed my eyes and was feeling quite relaxed, when a lady came past and called over some ambulance orderlies, who put me on a stretcher and got me in to emergency.

I woke up some hours later, still in emergency, with an ECG on and heparin drip in. There were 3 guys having heart attacks next to me, and they wheeled in a motorbike accident victim, with his limbs facing the wrong way (all broken) and I watched as they unsuccessfully tried to revive him and pronounced him dead. The doctor told me I was lucky to be alive, as I had PEs (pulmonary embolisms) in my lungs. The DVT had broken up and travelled through my blood stream, and eventually wound up in my lungs.
A few days later, when I was strong enough, they gave me a test (I can't remember the name of it) which involved injecting radioactive isotopes into my blood stream, while I inhaled radioactive gas, which enabled them to see the movement of the blood, and the air into my lungs at the same time, as the isotopes glowed. I watched my lungs work on the big screen. There were several dark spots, where neither air nor blood was reaching. The radiologist explained that I had several PEs throughout both lungs.
Meanwhile, I was still on the heparin drip, and had to wear TED compression stockings 24/7. I remember walking up and down the hospital hallways, several times a day, as I was encouraged to move to help it heal. Still, my breathing was terrible, so I could only manage one lap at a time.
After 10 days in hospital, the doctor said I could change to Clexane injections, which have to be injected twice daily, as they last for 12 hours. I was thoroughly sick of being in hospital by then, so said I could learn to inject if they would allow me to go home. A few days later, I was home.
This is only the beginning of a story which lasted two years. I had to be on warfarin, a blood thinning drug for two years, and was not allowed to drink alcohol. Warfarin is notoriously hard to control, as everyone reacts differently to it. I had to go for daily blood tests, every morning before work for two months, then twice a week, then finally weekly. One time I couldn't stop my arm bleeding for half an hour - that was a sign to reduce the dose.

Now it's over, but I still need to inject every time I fly for longer than three hours, wear compression stockings, and avoid alcohol 24 hours either side of a flight. It is believed that my risk of DVT was elevated due to the Pill I was taking, which I can never take again (any kind of Pill). Many women are completely unaware of this risk, as I was (isn't everyone on the Pill?!). Since then I have heard of 2 women I know on the Pill (both young and otherwise healthy) getting flight related DVT. One of my staff had a blood clot travel to her eye, and now she has a permanent blank spot on her vision, and will be on aspirin for the rest of her life. I also know one young guy who got a DVT from flying after a hockey injury to his leg. He is one of the fittest and healthiest guys I know, and it was only a domestic (5 hour) flight!

I've read many an article on the topic, and compression stockings (though they look lovely on) are one of the best defences. If you intend to sleep on the plane, wear them under your pjs - they stimulate the blood flow even when you're not moving. I have sourced some sexy black ones, that look almost cute with a skirt or shorts (think Japanese schoolgirl) but guys could easily hide them under pants. Also try not to get dehydrated etc.

I used to think DVT was a big joke, and what are the chances? As if it would ever happen to me! Only old fogies get that, right?! Admittedly I didn't get mine while flying, but now I have had one (and more importantly the more serious flow on effects) I always take measures to prevent it. Take extra care of your SWMBO, especially if she's on the Pill. Get her some travel socks as a gift. =D Sure, it's a slim chance, but it does happen... sorry for long post!

 

[QF WP]

Sobering reading missafternoondelight, thanks for sharing your experiences.

 

[medhead]

Sounds like a lung ventilation/perfusion test. The radionuclide doesn't really glow, they just made it look like that

Real pet hate of mine the person who pulls them selves up by using your chair.

You can get these people with a bit of luck and timing. I had someone who was using my chair to get up and sit down. After the 3 get up, I waited for them to return I simply held up my body and pushed in the recline button. They didn't touch my seat for the rest of the flight.


Sent from the Throne (80% chance) using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[Allan R]

I fly from Sydney to Shanghai several times a year and always choose an aisle seat. It gives you the freedom to get up, stretch, and move around whenever you want without disturbing anyone. A window seat is good only when taking off and landing, but during the other times, the shades are drawn and you can't see anything.
I bought a pair of compression socks and they are great at reducing swollen ankles and feet on long flights. I would recommend them to anyone who travels regularly.
I like to have a few glasses of wine with the meals, but in between, I normally drink water, just to keeps me hydrated. I have never had any problems with DVT.

 

[Turbo-g]

I've had 2 DVT's neither caused by flying, ironic as i am flying more times than anything. First occured on a bus in India where if anyone has travelled over there it is much safer to sit than stand, of course the metal bar running under my knee didnt help me at all!. I only found out about the DVT on returning to Perth and again identified as an ache that didnt go away, i thought i had tweaked a muscle. 2nd was associated with a torn calf, just the 'right' location for the DVT, this time i knew what i was looking for. I usually take the window seats on the short haul flights as i can sleep, I still have room to move and unless i'm up to the toilet and queing or 'dodging the food/beverage trolley i'm exercising on the spot. Futher tests revealed I have a genetic disposition (Factor V Leiden) so check it out if you think you may fall into these areas. It was a surprising find for myself but can be managed Happy flying

 

[missafternoondelight]

I've had 2 DVT's neither caused by flying, ironic as i am flying more times than anything. First occured on a bus in India where if anyone has travelled over there it is much safer to sit than stand, of course the metal bar running under my knee didnt help me at all!. I only found out about the DVT on returning to Perth and again identified as an ache that didnt go away, i thought i had tweaked a muscle. 2nd was associated with a torn calf, just the 'right' location for the DVT, this time i knew what i was looking for. I usually take the window seats on the short haul flights as i can sleep, I still have room to move and unless i'm up to the toilet and queing or 'dodging the food/beverage trolley i'm exercising on the spot. Futher tests revealed I have a genetic disposition (Factor V Leiden) so check it out if you think you may fall into these areas. It was a surprising find for myself but can be managed Happy flying

Interesting - Factor V Leiden. It sounds like a European high fashion label
Glad you're okay now - Turbo-g. Happy flying yourself!

Thanks for well wishes, guys. What a caring bunch we are

 

[Allan R]

Thanks for sharing your fascinating story missafternoondelight. You went through a tough time. Hope you're OK now.

I bought 2 pair of sports compression socks ("name brand" to my daughters approval) on a UK website for the same price as 1 pair in Australia (incl. freight cost). I wore them for the first time a fortnight ago on a 10 hour flight to China. They were incredibly comfortable an on arrival my legs and ankles felt good with no swelling or aches.

 

[missafternoondelight]

Thanks Allan R
I bet you make those compression socks look good. Hehe.
Happy flying!!!

Thanks for sharing your fascinating story missafternoondelight. You went through a tough time. Hope you're OK now.

I bought 2 pair of sports compression socks ("name brand" to my daughters approval) on a UK website for the same price as 1 pair in Australia (incl. freight cost). I wore them for the first time a fortnight ago on a 10 hour flight to China. They were incredibly comfortable an on arrival my legs and ankles felt good with no swelling or aches.

 

[maomaocat]

missafternoondelight, thanks for that post!

ma mere had DVT some years ago and like you, had warfarin. not sure about what stage she's at now. I'm hoping that she can fly to LHR mid-next year but she's set against it, in part because of this, in part because general dislike of crowded spaces. I really want to help her to get there - aside from the medical advice, are aisle seats, compression stockings, water and regular walks the best way around it?

Another option seems to be breaking up the journey a bit (xSYD HNL/LAX/LGA/LHR? xSYD HKG / GNT / LHR? xADL / SIN / ...?) but that then runs the risk of a very long transit time, something I'd also like to avoid. something that isn't prohibitively expensive would also be good!