Advice on Flight Socks for travel

[Gfern]

Maybe someone knows and can help with my decision, is there any advantage to Full Length over Knee High compression socks. If so does the advantage outweigh the discomfort of the full length socks. This is for a twelve hour flight and I have no particular leg problems just an Paroxysmal AF sufferer with all the usual meds and this is just a precaution against DVT. Hope someone can help.

[10gingercats]

I would definitely go for over the knee flight socks. I wore them to India a few years ago and then to China a year later .You will feel fine when you get there and also avoid deep vein thombosis . I out them on at home before leaving for the airport and took them off c 10 hours later in Delhi.I also wore them in India when i went up very high in the Himaylayas .I did not get Afib either .We went up to 15,000 feet .

[Desanthony in reply to 10gingercats]

Yes I always wear them and also make sure I walk around when I can on the air craft, and drink water- at my age that gives me some exercise as I have to visit the loo a lot 🤣

[Gfern in reply to Desanthony]

Good advice thanks, can I ask do you use the Knee High ones or the full length thigh ones?.

[Desanthony in reply to Gfern]

Full Length. My wife can’t stand them but does wear the knee high on long night journeys when she would sleep - so when we fly to USA it’s day time so she will be awake and would walk around the aircraft. For our return journey it’s night time so not much chance of walking around so she reluctantly wears the knee highs.

[Gfern in reply to 10gingercats]

Thanks for the input advice most welcome

[SJB1234]

Hi I always wear them ever since I had a TIA back in 2011. Also I leave them on for about a hour after I get off the aircraft.

[Gfern in reply to SJB1234]

Good advice thanks, can I ask do you use the Knee High ones or the full length thigh ones?.

[SJB1234 in reply to Gfern]

I wear the ones, toes to knee

[secondtry]

General warning on DVTs:I got a DVT in the leg 20 yrs ago after a 5 hr car journey without a break. As I was fit and active at 48, my GP didn't diagnose it and I went to see a specialist myself. For those who don't know, it presents like a deep muscle pain/cramp and doesn't go away with exercise or rest; easily spotted by the consultant then with a hand held monitor but also of course an ultra sound scan. As a result of my relative 'youth' tests were ran and I was found to have an inherited genetic disorder called Factor V Leiden nb quite common & most people don't know they have it.

Turning to your point:

I used Knee length Sigvaris compression stockings at any time when I had a drive over one hour or indeed when sat for a similar amount of time. I found they were good but drinking water, no alcohol, no heavy meals before or during, exercise with loo visits and particularly flexing the calf muscles when sat (Tip: I carefully push against the seat anchor bar in front of me). Now I find I no longer need to use the stockings but still take the other precautions.

Hope something there helps and enjoy your trip.

[Gfern in reply to secondtry]

Thanks good advice much appreciated

[Morzine]

Just make sure the knee length ones don’t cut into the leg at top by knee as that can be worse than wearing none, I was told if they leave a red line they are too tight there....

[Gfern in reply to Morzine]

Thanks will watch out for that when getting sized if I go with the knee high ones

[secondtry in reply to Gfern]

Good point Morzine ,mentions, which I forgot. I did find them on occasion quite tight at the top but are easy to adjust.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Yes you should wear.

I got mine in hospital.

They prevent blood clots forming and you should move your feet every 15 mins and boday 1/2 hour.

Keep safe. JOY

[Hampden]

I wear Jobst compression tights for long haul flights (eg Singapore to UK). I found the knee high ones cut in at the top which, as someone pointed out, is bad news. The tights are much more comfortable, just a bit of a struggle to put on. I do hourly leg exercises in my seat too. They’re from QANTASqantas.com/us/en/travel-inf...

[Gfern in reply to Hampden]

Thanks for recommendation on tights and link appreciated.

[healingharpist]

And this is a little off the travel topic, Gfern, but I think I read recently that someone with paroxysmal atrial fib recommended wearing compression knee socks or tights throughout the day and night, to help prevent afib episodes--even when not travelling. Has anyone else here been told this by a dr or nurse? Or tried it, and to what effect?