Compression Socks
 

Does anyone have any experience using compressiong socks on long flights? Last year I wore compression knee highs (Nylon) for a flight from JFK to BKK and they did not work at all. They were not expensive, so I thought that maybe that was the reason they didn't work. My legs were so swollen and eating Thai food with all of the sodium didn't help.

This year I will be on a 17 hour flight from LAX - BKK - SGN and thinking of buying "better" socks hoping that my legs don't swell again. That was the first time it ever happened to me and I was in shock.

If anyone has any experience with this, I would appreciate your help.

Many thanks

Last year's discussion of this topic:
http://www.fodors.com/community/air-...air-travel.cfm

It seems to come up once a year.

Kay2,
Thanks for the link. After reading the link, I'm not sure whether to buy them or not. I'm not diabetic and do not want to be fitted, so I just may take an aspirin as suggested in one of the posts

I had foot surgery and was flying about a month or so after the surgery. My dr suggested wearing them while flying. I did and they worked great. I got them at a Drugstore, but they helped me pick the right size and compression. Possibly yours did not work due to improper sizing.

yestravel,

Maybe I'll go over to my local Walgreens and see if they carry them. Thanks for the info

Summary of previous discussion - unless well fitted and worn as directed, they are of little use and can actually cause harm. Good ones will not be cheap. Cheap ones will not be good.

Seamus,
I'm getting a headache from this. Now I'm thinking forget about them as they seem to be too much trouble. The only reason I was thinking of buying them is so my feet do not swell - that's it. I'm not sick or have any problems - it was just for swelling.

So why don't u just get them fitted properly? I had certain specs from my dr and the pharmacy people helped me, but u can go to a medical supply store and have them fitted. They made all the difference on my foot. Mine were not terribly expensive, maybe $25 or so.

Or skip the high sodium meals? Might help, along with getting up & walking around during the flight, also doing those in seat exercises.

Unless you have a medical reason to wear compression socks or stockings, don't bother. They are intended to prevent venous stasis and reduce the risk of things like DVT, but those are not issues for people in normal health, and they won't necessarily help with mere swelling of the feet, which occurs even in healthy people if they sit for extended periods.

Keep in mind that taking your shoes off allows your feet to swell, and it can be difficult to get the shoes back on after a long flight in some cases.

Getting up and walking around periodically helps. Keep your seat belt on while you are seated.

I have decided that since I don't have any health issues not to purchase them.

AnthonyGA - Last year I took off my shoes, so this I will keep them on and walk around more than I usually do. I also do stretch exercises by the galleys when the stewards are not around.

Thanks all for your advice