Hi 2 all

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coachkev

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Just found the site.
T2 for about a year (maybe longer).
Spent the first 2 months not knowing what the 6.5, 9.8, 11, 3.2, low readings meant.
Now got cellulitus in both legs.
Have any of you got any advice on taking a flight with these conditions???

I'm going on holiday soon and want to get a heads up.
Cheers

Kev
 
Evening Kev
A warm welcome to the forum from me, no experience with flying but I've seen the topic come up quite abit here so I'm sure you will get loads of good advice..

Have a good holiday btw
 
Welcome Kev. I used to suffer with cellulitis, particularly in the couple of years before diagnosis. Relatively high doses of Flucloxacillin worked fairly quickly. The underlying problem was water retention in my ankles (in my case due to having a BMI over 50).

Compression stockings worn on the flight might help stop it getting any worse. How long is the flight, and how long before you fly? You really need to get advice from your doctor.
 
Hi Kev,

Well I was advised to wear flight socks. You can get them from any chemist. They are a bit difficult to put on, but tend to stop the legs swelling up quite to badly. My legs swell up anyway, so if they get bad, I wear them for a couple of days, so worth having.

Welcome to the forum. Plenty of good help and info here.
 
Welcome to the forum Kev 🙂
 
Hi Kev, welcome. I didn't think diabetics were allowed to wear things like flight socks. I know my grandfather was never allowed to wear socks with seams or elastic around the top of the socks. Might be worth checking that with your GP or diabetic nurse.
 
It was my doc who prescribed them as my legs swell up. I was under the impression that everybody was advised to wear them, even diabetics, as they help blood circulation in the legs. I always wear them when flying.
 
Flight socks and compression stockings are equally tight all the way up, and don't have ribbing at the top that might impair blood flow. They don't allow fluid to collect in the soft tissues, so prevent swelling. They also improve the circulation by forcing blood into the larger deep veins rather than the small ones close to the surface.
 
Flight socks and compression stockings are equally tight all the way up, and don't have ribbing at the top that might impair blood flow. They don't allow fluid to collect in the soft tissues, so prevent swelling. They also improve the circulation by forcing blood into the larger deep veins rather than the small ones close to the surface.

Thanks for that explanation LeeLee 🙂 I think the thing I was told about diabetics and socks is that you are supposed to avoid ones with seams or tight tops - the tops as you suggest and no seams as these can possibly rub and cause abrasions which might not be noticed if you have neuropathy, and could become infected.

One solution that was suggested was to wear socks inside out to avoid this problem!

I spoke to my doctor, he’s a wily old fox,
And he gave me advice about how to wear socks.
Now, perhaps you’d expect that there’s only one way,
But apparently not, as he went on to say:
Since you’re diabetic – there’s a tick in the box –
Then you have to beware of all life’s little knocks,
So look after your feet, for they’re what help you stand,
And roam far and wide through this wonderful land!
It’s true that there’s nothing that’s so far from your mind,
For they’re much lower down than your chest or behind,
But follow my guidance and you’ll need both your boots
For perambulation and leisure pursuits!
Keep your feet warm, well-protected and clean,
And come in to see me if they swell or turn green!
Most important of all - and of this there’s no doubt –
Always remember, wear your socks inside out!

:D (c) Northerner 2009

Welcome to the forum Kev 🙂
 
To all

Thanks for all the replies.
Got a pair of those socks....I look like a Ballet Dancer with them on

Kev
 
Hi Kev, me again. You might want to check with doc whether a single dose of aspirin the day before you fly might be in order. I was advised to do that before a 6-hour flight, but there might be very good reasons why it's not a good idea for you. Worth asking the question though.
 
As well as wearing the socks, I also take Aspirin on the day of the flight. The 75mg dose would be enough for most people. However, it is always worth checking with your doc or diabetes nurse.
 
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