swollen ankles
 

I would like some advice towards my mother's next trip.

We just returned from a convention in Las Vegas. While we were there, my mother's ankles got swollen something terrible. The swelling was not so much during flight (except the last leg DFW-YUL and they were swollen before boarding) but in the hotel (Rio Suites). On the last convention day, she spent most of it in her room with her feet up and iced -- the floor ran out of ice and the machine stayed empty for 12+ hours! The very last event, she attended in slippers.

Mom is a senior citizen and the walk between our room and the convention center was 10 minutes for me and 20 minutes for her: indoors, carpeting, no stairs, one not-steep incline.

My ankles held up much better, I can only remember one day of swelling after a lot of racing around. And I was on my feet more than Mom was.

Is there anything that can be done to prevent this happening next year? Does plane altitude play a factor? (we flew AA first class) Any and all replies appreciated.

When flying and working (I work on my feet for long hours), I wear knee high support stockings with ~30mm of compression. I would suggest stockings with a similar level of compression for anyone on any flights over 90 minutes.

For long haul flights, I suggest wearing this type of stockings during the flight and for 12-24 hours after arrival (including while asleep).

From your description of your mother's problem, I would strongly suggest she be evaluated by her physician.

Ok, mom evaluated by physician. That's good advice!

Other advice. On plane - drink a gallon of water (well, not quite but you get the picture). Take 2 capsules of horse chestnut (Prevention magazine reported on a Harvard study that proved it helps w/ reduced swelling on flights; I take 2 each time I fly). HC available at drugstores, Target, etc - over the counter.

I don't know what it is about Vegas, but I & my biz colleagues call it 'fat finger syndrome' - same could be applied to ankles. Drink as much water as you can; that helps.

This also helps - she may or may not want to do it. When she's back in the room, sit on the edge of the tub & run ice cold water over her feet.

The next requires some flexibility, but it works - I've tried this too. Lay on the floor w/ your legs going up the wall (back on the floor); scrunch up as close to the wall as you can get w/ your butt, w/ your legs straight up; stay there for 10minutes; blood/energy goes back down (helps to listen to tv while you're doing this to avoid boredom). Ok, it's not a great description but try it.

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Sharon

This happens to me quite often. I've talked with my doc about it. I try to avoid foods with salt, etc. At least part of my problem is that I am short. Airline seats often leave me with my feet not touching the floor; so I have learned to put a bag under my feet and also an airline pillow under my legs to avoid the pressure of the edge of the seat. Also I find that most chairs used for meetings are horrible. For me that adds to the problem.

I hope this helps your mom. I know how nasty this problem can be.

Tsk, tsk. Our manners!

Welcome to FlyerTalk, rwarren!

This happened to me in Jamaica and I was scared to death. Perhaps the water thing is correct because as I remember, I hardly drank any water. As soon as I got home my ankles went down. I remember the pain was horrible. Even the FA's on the flight home made me put my feet up with ice.

Great Advice, I too wear the compression socks after a podiatrist asked if my family had a history of vericose viens. We did, he suggested some support socks. I laughed and said no way at my age (30 then) I'm not wearing support socks. On a whim I did try them and they are terrific! Highly recommended. The brand I wear is Jobst.

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