If you have a medical condition such that inactivity might cause blood clots, OK. But I would not say that for the vast majority f people sleeping on a plane will cause clots.

If worried, take an aspirin on boarding.

I've found I can use a cheap, inflatable beach ball as a head/upper body rest to get comfortable. (Esp. useful for those in a middle seat w/nothing to lean against. For most of us, the tray tables are not high enough to support our heads/upper bodies.) Just blow it up (who cares if you look like a dork while doing it?)as much as you need. Place it in your lap and lean your head and arms onto it for support. I usually like to lay part of a blanket or anything made of fabric over it to avoid having my skin next to the plastic. It's easy to bring along when it's deflated. While you may not need or want to stay in that position for hours, it's a nice change of position for a while.

Also, since we are on the comfort subject, I'd like to make an appeal. My husband is 6'3". Paying the price for a business class or first class seat is out of the question for us, and it's not easy to get the exit rows or bulkhead seats, esp. on long flts. So people, PLEASE be considerate when you want to recline your seat and don't just suddenly SLAM it back. You could be crashing into someone's knees who is already having enough trouble angling their legs to fit behind your seat. Then if you recline and realize you have someone's knees digging into the back of your seat, please move forward just a tad. This will eliminate the pressure on your seat and make it easier for the person behind you as well. Thanks. (I hope!)

People do not automatically develop blood clots from sleeping on an overnight flight. Something else was going on with your health for that to happen. Please don't scare people needlessly.

I have spent some time at a sleep clinic in recent months and have been told that drinking alcohol close to the time you want to sleep (within 3 hours) is not a good idea. It can get you to sleep initially but interrupts sleep later.

<<<People do not automatically develop blood clots from sleeping on an overnight flight. Something else was going on with your health for that to happen.>>>

The first part of the statement is true. DVTs are not automatic when sleeping on an overnight flight. The second part - well, would that it were so, but it is not - although things going on with your health can multiply the risk. The cause of DVTs is being in a cramped position where movement is difficult for an extended period of time. An important function of muscle is to move venous blood along. When the leg muscles are not used the circulation is slowed and it is the slowdown of circulation that is the cause of DVT. Under those conditions, the risk of DVT is increased and can happen to anyone - even to the healthiest person. The less the movement, the greater the risk. There are other physical and other factors that multiply this risk. Tall stature or obesity further restrict movement. Certain hormone therapies such as contraceptive pills or replacement therapies also multiply risk as of course does certain diseases or other clotting disorder. One person can have several of these multipliers and in that case the DVT incidence shoots way up, but to reiterate, none of these other factors need be present. It is the lack of movement itself that is the culprit. This is not confined to flights, but any venue where movement is restricted or otherwise is significantly reduced.

No, people will not automatically develop blood cloths, but taking something strong to sleep, during a long flight, may increase the risk of those in danger of developing them. Because they are not moving at all during several hours.

Also, as a flight attendant on longhaul flights, I have seen people being sick because of sleeping pills, people walking around drowsy and hurting themself (and guess who they blame afterwards ?),people not waking up at arrival !
And people having serious medical problems. But because they are out of it, how can we now what they've taken, if they need medication,if this is something that has happened to them before ?
And taking alcohol with medication ? Wow, how bad can it get ?

Please don't scare people needlessly ?
Please don't scare your travelcompanions, the other passengers and your flight attendants !

I do understand it's hard for some people to get some sleep in an airplane.
But if you really have to take something, please only do so if you are absolutely sure you, and your body, can handle it.

"denisea on Apr 11, 11 at 2:40pm

Depends on how good of a sleeper you are.

I have taken Ambien and our flight did not take off and I was able to get up without a problem.

So, I recommend it and outside of the package insert, with a glass of red wine.

I don't recommend Xanax, it's not meant for sleep but for anxiety."

my doctor prescribes Xanax to help me sleep....it maybe able to reduce anxiety also but many MDs prescribe it specifically
to aid in falling to sleep as the primary DX...

I was in the hospital three weeks on my back..the MD charted me three options to help me sleep..Ambien...Xanax...or Ativan 1mg IV push.....in the hospital i chose the Ativan IV and was out in 2 minutes..LOL......bliss....after i was released, I chose the Xanax...0.5....

I have taken Ambien for international flights for years and it has generally worked well. Two caviats:
1. I tried it once on a flight from Rome - NYC that left in the morning. I just wanted to sleep to pass the time, but I wasn't tired. Well, I never fell asleep, just spent the flight in a groggy fog that was worse than being awake.
2. I took one before bed after arriving home from Egypt to try and get my body back on California time. I slept well. In the morning, while driving to the gym, I noticed that I seemed to be taking longer to step on the brake at the first two stoplights. At the third stoplight, I rear-ended the car in front of me. First accident of my life.

maybe they can offer us Ativan IV on the plane???? :-)

With the mention of blood clots, just wondering if taking an aspirin before a long flight might help prevent blood clots?

It is very hard to move around on our usual flight which is a 757 to Lisbon...one aisle and very cramped cabin...not conducive to getting up.

Aspirin inhibits clotting, so yes it can be helpful for those who do not already have a health problem or take a different medication that interferes with clotting too.

There are excercises that can be done in place that will be helpful. The idea is to keep the muscles working to help circulation. http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airl...ight/global/en

Support socks can also help.