Swollen ankles post flight

[Jonathan_C]

Hi - I am on Xarelto (Rivaroxaban). This week i flew from Marshall Islands to Honolulu - i was there for 14 hours and spent a good deal of it walking, and lay on my bed for less than an hour, then flew to New York (9.5 hours) and walked around New York for the better part of 10 hours, maybe more (45 000 steps) and then 14 hours flight to Johannesburg and then 2 hours later flew another 2 hours to Cape Town - I landed at Midnight on Wednesday. On Thursday my ankles and feet were ridiculously swollen, and sore from the walking. Today (Friday) they are little better - but not normal.

Is this just age and the walking (I am only 48 - so that doesn't make sense as the walking should have helped circulation and prevented the swelling) or is it the anti-coags?

or something else?

As i said, its slowly going back to normal and the swelling is around the feet and ankles only - my GP sister in law says she would be concerned if my calve muscles were swollen, which they aren't.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi Jonathan

I was told to get up and walk on thplane 1/2 hourly or move your feet.

There is usually a feet up item under the seat in front.

Do not drink alcohol or fruit juice. WATER only.

When you get to your accommodation put your feet up - higher than your heart or asleep put in a pillow or two between the sheets.

My ankles do come up after long hot drive, bus travel.

Try all that. Best of British!

cheri. JOY. 73. (NZ)

[secondtry]

Likely reasons: A combination of not putting feet up (as Joy says) and over exercise.

I had a dvt 20 years ago from a 5 hour car drive, which was not diagnosed by my GP, hence late treatment all valves in leg compromised. Warned of resultant ulcers. However moderate brisk walking exercise ( x2 1 mile/day), hot baths and raising the leg vertical (in hot water & out improves circulation and raising drains the leg), resting the leg horizontal at my office desk on a stool and small cushion under leg when in bed all bought time for the body to mend and now I have virtually no swelling , pain or ulcer issues.

Hopefully you can pick something useful out of that.

[Jajarunner]

You could try support socks and lymph drainage massage to help.

[LaceyLady]

we have a Revitive tens machine that Ypu put your feet on, the one I have also has leg pad to stimulate. BUT you need to make sure you have NO clots in shins.

[DawnTX in reply to LaceyLady]

I am glad you just mentioned shins because I did not know you could get blood clots there and I tend to injure them a lot and I am on a blood thinner. This week I started getting very strange feelings from my shins to my toes. I have a doctor appointment Monday I am going to make sure I tell him. I also have a huge dog that loves to lay across my legs whether I want him to or not and it often hurts yes I am trying to get him to stop lol. Thank you

[LaceyLady in reply to DawnTX]

😵‍💫 Don’t x shins or legs either.

[LaceyLady]

some of the medications can cause muscle pains, statins! I will not take them. My diabetes nurse knows I’ve been a Complementary Therapist of 25 years and my views on statins. I take issue when I’m offered them and I DON’T need them 😳

[DawnTX in reply to LaceyLady]

I am right there with you about statins. I have had to go off of them at times and see such a difference in lack of pain. Unfortunately I have yet to find a cardiologist who will let me stay off of them. When I meet my new EP I will talk to him about it

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to DawnTX]

Hi Dawn

I read - to keep dosage low. 10mg best but 20mg OK. No more.

It was also mentioned not to give patients over 75 years them.

Can anyone back me up of this?

Yes, I forgot the stockings. I've kept mine from surgery. They are white and great because I can unhook the toes!

cheri JOY

It is a side effect to Diltiazem but on 120mg am the ankles dont come u.

I'm using 10s macine for something else. I will ask physiotherapist about swllen ankles.

[LaceyLady in reply to DawnTX]

my sister lost 2 stone and weaned herself off. They’re ok with that as she lost weight.

I’ve lots lot of weight as last year diagnosed as T2 diabetic, gave no idea why but it might be that I have an underlying condition. I need blood tests to see.

[DawnTX in reply to LaceyLady]

I am a type 2.

[LaceyLady in reply to DawnTX]

🥲 I’m finding it hard with everything else

[Elsie1955]

I have been on Xarelto for years, traveled as well, and never an issue with swelling. That said, am also on a very low-dose water pill to stop water retention (1.25 mg). You may want to run this past your cardiologist.