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Long flight - to wear flight socks or not?

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
J

Jill Smith

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hello,
I have had type 1 diabetes for 32 years not without problems. I am flying to Los Angeles next week and am receiving mixed messages regarding flight socks. I have had Intermittant claudication and because it hurt to walk I didn't do much and so put on weight and I was in a very hot country.
Now I am back in the UK and exercise considerably more, have lost about 2 stone and the weather suits me therefore I can walk quite a distance.
I had a carotidarterectomy 6 months ago and was discharged from the vascular clinic following a 6 month check up. That dr said my blood supply to my feet seemed pretty good and that it was up to me whether I chose to wear them. He said that as there was no pulse in my left foot (evidently 12% of people are missing this pulse). My Gp doesn't like them(the socks).
Does anyone out there have experience of long flights and claudication?
Thank you,
J
 
Welcome Jill

You're right about decisions to wear / not wear flight socks being varied. I used to work in a travel clinic, so when asked, we used a decision making tool to make recommendations, but I no longer have access to that. Probably the best advice that the UK public can access online is at http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/advice-for-travellers/deep-vein-thrombosis.aspx

As you can see, there are more features to consider than just claudication and more potential solutions than just flight socks, so I think you need to consult your GP with the full print out.

Sorry, none of us on these boards can give definitive medical advice.
 
Hello Jill and Welcome to the group

Hope you have a good flight whatever you decide!
 
Thanks for your reply. I wasn't expecting medical advice as such just personal opinions. I will try and get an appointment with my GP not always that easy and I will have a look at the link you have given, thanks again,
J
Thanks for the welcome Sazzaroo
 
Hi Jill, welcome to the forum from me too 🙂 I'm afraid I have no experience of long haul flights - my longest flight ever was only 3 hours! I hope your GP can help you come to a decision.
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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