Long distance flying: foot pain/discomfort?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 5,651
Long distance flying: foot pain/discomfort?
Have you had this problem and what solutions are there for it?
The last two long distance flights(over 13 hours in 2 segments), toward the end of the flight my feet, paticularly the bottom and outside) started aching and cramping. After arrival it started to be even more painful and cramped several times. After abput two days it subsided.
I had two different comments from fiends:
1-it sounded like gout symptoms-but this does not sound right because of only lasting for couple of days.
2-lack of water consumption.
The last two long distance flights(over 13 hours in 2 segments), toward the end of the flight my feet, paticularly the bottom and outside) started aching and cramping. After arrival it started to be even more painful and cramped several times. After abput two days it subsided.
I had two different comments from fiends:
1-it sounded like gout symptoms-but this does not sound right because of only lasting for couple of days.
2-lack of water consumption.
#2
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: LAX
Programs: Ex-CO Silver
Posts: 733
Sounds like DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) to me. This is a VERY serious disorder that kills many people each year:
http://www.dvt.net
http://www.dvt.net
#3
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Santa Cruz, CA USA
Programs: AA, UA, WN, HH, Marriott
Posts: 7,290
There was another thread on this subject recently.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=406047
You should check with your doctor but this is much more likely to be fluid retention than DVT.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=406047
You should check with your doctor but this is much more likely to be fluid retention than DVT.
#4
In Memoriam
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Switzerland/Atlanta,GA
Programs: Executive Club Gold/Frequence Plus Red
Posts: 1,756
Everybody is different, of course, but I had the same symptoms on different flights.
I am notorious for not drinking. I seldom manage more than one glass of water a day but I drink at least twenty to thirty coffees....
The cramps might be a result of drinking little but also of not moving sufficiently during the flight. No matter what the FA's tell you, walk about on long flights.
If the cramps persist, just take a magnesium tablet or two. Cramps are often the result of lack of magnesium. But this would be the case only if you were having the cramps from time to time at home, like when stretching or after a night's sleep.
Everybody's feet swell on long flights... Did I tell you my story about a flight from SYD to ATL where I was not able to get into my shoes upon landing in ATL? I had to walk all the way from the plane into the parking lot in my socks
I am notorious for not drinking. I seldom manage more than one glass of water a day but I drink at least twenty to thirty coffees....
The cramps might be a result of drinking little but also of not moving sufficiently during the flight. No matter what the FA's tell you, walk about on long flights.
If the cramps persist, just take a magnesium tablet or two. Cramps are often the result of lack of magnesium. But this would be the case only if you were having the cramps from time to time at home, like when stretching or after a night's sleep.
Everybody's feet swell on long flights... Did I tell you my story about a flight from SYD to ATL where I was not able to get into my shoes upon landing in ATL? I had to walk all the way from the plane into the parking lot in my socks
#5
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX AA EXP-3MM, HYT PLAT, SPG PLAT,HLT GLD,LEADERS CLUB
Posts: 1,183
I would say you need to drink more water and you may want to look at purchasing compression socks for long flights. They will help keep your feet from swelling. Try this site www.jobst.com
#6
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Santa Cruz, CA USA
Programs: AA, UA, WN, HH, Marriott
Posts: 7,290
Originally Posted by magexpect
If the cramps persist, just take a magnesium tablet or two. Cramps are often the result of lack of magnesium.
#7
Moderator: Mileage Run, United Airlines; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: The City/Honolulu
Programs: UA 3MM; Hyatt Glob*****; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,473
Add tonic water to the list. It helps alleviate foot and leg cramps.
But really the best advice is to drink plenty of water and get up and stroll the aisles as often as possible. If you drink plenty of water, you will be getting up frequently anyway to go to the lav.
But really the best advice is to drink plenty of water and get up and stroll the aisles as often as possible. If you drink plenty of water, you will be getting up frequently anyway to go to the lav.
#8
formerly PrePress420
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: SFO, Seat 2J
Posts: 423
I use a "footsie roller" for the bottoms of my feet. A wooden rolling-pin looking device, 8 inches long. Roll my feet over it. Gets rid of tiredness, cramps, for circulation.
Sold at college town health food and body lotion stores.
Do you take your shoes off ? I do.
Another DVT site: http://www.bugbog.com/travel_health/...hrombosis.html
Sold at college town health food and body lotion stores.
Do you take your shoes off ? I do.
Another DVT site: http://www.bugbog.com/travel_health/...hrombosis.html
#9
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Programs: DL Silver, AA, UA, B6, WN
Posts: 430
Originally Posted by magexpect
Everybody is different, of course, but I had the same symptoms on different flights.
<snip>
Everybody's feet swell on long flights... Did I tell you my story about a flight from SYD to ATL where I was not able to get into my shoes upon landing in ATL? I had to walk all the way from the plane into the parking lot in my socks
<snip>
Everybody's feet swell on long flights... Did I tell you my story about a flight from SYD to ATL where I was not able to get into my shoes upon landing in ATL? I had to walk all the way from the plane into the parking lot in my socks