Preparing for Jet Lag and fear of Deep Vein Thrombosis

In addition to getting up and walking around, you can do seated exercises like foot circles and stretches. Anything that gets your legs moving is good.

go to choices or a health food store they have this stuff called No Jet lag...I found it worked.
but that being said I also find the jet lag really bad coming back from Europe, not so much going over for some reason.

Drink water, be hydrated !
**Consult your physician for more information.

First step, stop worrying.

For blood clots just get up every couple of hours to increase the blood flow.

For jet lag, that is different for each person. I just try to get some sleep on the plane (very hard for me). Other than that, try and power through the first day until bedtime, usually I am ok after the first night.

Drink lots of water on the plane, avoid booze.

You might also have a heart attack. Or contact cancer. Or be killed in a terrotist attack. Or the pilot might decide to commit suicide and take the plane with him. Or some other passenger might. Or a fire might break out in your hotel. Or you might be mugged in the street at your destination. Busses kill folks every day. Do you smoke? Well, ..... The world is full of dangers but you must be a lucky person because you've made it this far. Shoot, take a chance!

Heather: Surely you jest ! Drink as much wine as they will give you (if you are flying Air Canada, just keep asking more) and stop being silly.

Norma....fears of others, however irrational they may seem to you, are still their fears. They are not "silly." They ask the question here in an attempt to find their way over that particular roadblock, not to be lectured on whether their phobias are legitimate or not. If you can't give advice, then withhold your post.
BTW, your idea of drinking lots of wine is NOT something I'd recommend to anyone wanting to avoid jet lag.

Lighten up Norm.

Jeff...tell me you're not in the same boat as Norma!!!

it's ok.....i appreciate your defending me....that takes integrity. i must say i laughed out loud when i read all those....what if's....so thank you for that comic relief as well. and especially thank you to you for acknowledging that fears are real to those of us who have them.

in the meantime, i'll check the health food store for whatever they might recommend....and i'll drink lots of water, no booze, and maybe even take a half of an ativan.....that way i'll be sure to sleep most of the way.

thanks to all.

Norma: deep vein thrombosis is a real medical threat
not something to be so cavalier about. Some airlines will even show a film of exercises to do.

Experts will tell you to move around as much as possible, avoid tight clothing, doing leg/foot exercises in your seat from time to time and avoid drinking much alcohol.

Why don't you do some research on this condition
instead of calling someone silly?

Very good Cynthia!!! A lecture about not lecturing others! Wow....that's perfect! I'm afraid that anytime someone belittles someone else on the Helpline, I'll feel free to respond. Otherwise, future posters might feel it's not worth it to ask their question, for fear of being ridiculed. That, to me, is the more important issue.

A fear of dvt isn't totally irrational and it's actually good you are aware of dvt and how flying in a confined space for many hours can increase one's risk. For most the odds are unlikely you'd have a clot, but those at higher risk may not even realize unless they are tested by doctor to see if they carry a mutated gene that increases the chance of a clot. I went many years not knowing about Factor V Lieden gene until my sister had a clot caused by plane travel. I got tested and I carry the same gene as my sister and mother. Now I take precautions. I get up every 90 Mins, do seat exercises, avoid caffeine and alcohol and know the warning signs if a clot has formed (it's usually 24 to 48 hrs after the flight, not likely to occur on the plane itself).

I've never had dvt and I travel regularly on long overseas flights including from northeast US to Melbourne Australia. As for jet lag, just don't plan anything too major your first day and realize it may take 2 or 3 days until you are sleeping and waking
on local time.

Heather, one more thing that can't hurt would be to take 1 aspirin a day for a few days before your flight, and the day of your flight. It works as a blood thinner which is why many people take it once a day. If aspirin upsets your stomach try an 81mg baby aspirin.
You actually don't even have to get up every 90 mins - you can just flex your leg muscles while in your seat.

I always recommend TED hose for my patients who travel which can be purchased in pharmacies. (They provide a layer of warmth on those planes.) In addition walking about the cabin should help considerably. A small amount of prevention will dramatically reduce one year of Coumadin and/or Lovenox therapy. Chances are you will have a great time in the 'Dam, smoke/eat some of their "heavenlies" for me!!

Are muscle cramps in the calf after a long flight a sign that you didn't get up or do inflight exercises enough?

Heather,

First, the question on DVT.

• Some people believe that taking Aspirin might help, however I haven't seen any conclusive medical evidence on whether that has any effect. To begin with, make sure you stay well hydrated during the flight. After you go through security, buy a bottle of water. Although they will provide water on the plane, sometimes the flight crew are busy so it's nice to have a "backup" supply.

• Make sure you get up and walk around a bit during the flight to keep the circulation moving. If you do a search on the net, you might find a diagram of suggested leg exercises. Of course while you're seated, be sure to leave your seat belt fastened at all times (even loosely for comfort).

• I don't mind a wee 'nip' of Wine during a flight, but usually only at the beginning. I'm not sure if it helps DVT, but sometimes helps me to sleep a bit.

About Jet Lag....

• There was a recent post here with lots of suggestions on how to deal with jet lag. Everyone seems to have their own favourite method. Rick suggests sunshine and exercise, and staying awake (if possible) until a somewhat "normal" bedtime for that time zone (perhaps about 21:00). BTW, don't forget to set your watch to the new time zone, 9 hours ahead.

• There's a product available called No Jet Lag that is supposed to help. It's usually available in Health food stores as it uses all natural ingredients. I've used it a couple of times in the past, but I'm still not really sure how well it works. In my case it may have "taken the edge" off the jet lag but didn't eliminate it entirely.

• Sometimes it helps to take a short nap when you arrive, but most "experts" recommend against that. You'll have to decide how you feel at the time. I've found that a nap sometimes helps but it's going to take you a couple of days to feel "normal".

One other point, I usually have more trouble with jet lag on the return home.

Cheers!

I too have this fear as I have extremely bad varicose veins in my calves as well as very low blood pressure. The last time I flew, when I expressed my concerns to my Dr. she offered me thrombosis shots, like you get in the hospital when you are bedridden after an operation. This worked out well for me. Just did my shot right before leaving the house for the airport and took another one with me to for the return flight. They are easy to do, small needles, not quite so small as for insulin, but not much bigger.

You should ask your Dr. though about whether you should be concerned. If you don't have symptoms that preclude DVT, then it may be something that you don't need to worry about much.

For the jet lag, once you get to Amsterdam, walk outside as much as you can. Being in the sunshine will help your body readjust. This is a good time to do a walking tour, you get orientated to the city, plus help yourself to stay awake being out in the fresh air. Go to bed a bit earlier and then you should be fine.

many thanks.....

I was worried about those same 2 things before I went abroad for the first time last December.

RE: No Jet Lag as mentioned by Ken.
I have used it for both trips to London and I have to say, after the first day and a good nights rest, I am usually on target the next morning. Up and out the door by 9 am to sightsee. I havent tried travelling without it so I am not sure if it is a placebo effect or not, but since one package gives you enough for a few flights (i dont use it on the way home), its worth the $10 to give it a shot. I doubt it can cause much harm. They sell it at Magellans, some Whole Foods and most Travel or Luggage stores.

I was also worried about the Deep Vein Thrombosis after reading some of the stuff here. I am a "larger" woman and after 2 international trips, I have yet to have any issues with that. Just move your legs alot and stand up every chance you get.

Though after my last trip home, my feet did swell for 2 days, which is unusual or me, but that went away after I elevated them. I believe that was because on my first trip I took connecting flights, so I walked in the airport. The second trip were non stop flights, so I was sat for almost 10 hours!!

DVT's- Here's what it comes down to... do you have any risk factors (congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, advanced age, use of contraceptives together with smoking, personal history of a DVT, heart attack or stroke, or family history of DVT, pulmonary embolism, heart attack or stroke before the age of 40)? If not... enjoy your trip and don't worry. If yes, consult your doctor for ways to modify your risk factors. Without knowing more about you, it would be irresponsible to recommend for or against taking a daily aspirin in an on-line forum. Tet hose are only useful for people with peripheral edema. If you don't have this, then they would only be an uncomfortable nuisance with no benefit.

I have been mightily told off for telling Heather to stop being silly. Of course, I am aware that deep vein thrombosis is a genuine possibility for some people, and so is the possibility of heart attack or stroke or choking to death on an airline pretzel. I hope all the support she has received from the kinder responses on this thread have allayed her fears and quieted her phobia (her word, not mine). By the way, I take long haul flights at least once a year, usually twice, and always drink as much wine as I can wangle. Works for me !

Heather,, anitvan... works for me. Keep in mind they only last about 4-6 hours,, so you may redose. I do not find them knock me right out,, so its not like you couldn't still get up and flex legs.

If you use any prescription medication (ativan, lunesta, ambien, valium, etc) or over-the-counter sleep aid (most contain either diphenhydramine or doxylamine), test it on yourself before flying. The flip-side of taking enough to knock yourself out for the entire flight is that you could be too drowsy after you arrive, making jet lag worse. You want to find the right dosage and timing to balance your two needs.

Heather, too late for this trip, but before your next go to Magellan's online store, They have some compression/dvt stockings just for women that work great. I have worn them for several years on my flights across the pond and for the next trip in Sept. have ordered a pair of their women's black trouser socks which look attractive enough to wear during the trip too when I know I will be doing a lot of walking and my legs may get tired. Have a great trip, follow everyone's well meant advice and know that we all have some kind of phobia-mine is fear of flying, but I do it anyway!

Heather,

Given that your time to departure is fast approaching, I'd suggest giving your Doctor a call if you're really concerned with DVT, as he/she may have some suggestions.

As I mentioned previously, keep well hydrated and get up periodically to exercise your legs (and perhaps a bit of wine?) and you likely won't have any more problems than the majority of us here.

Cheers!

Give yourself shots?! That's a thousand times more scary than DVT! At least to me. I don't mind getting shots, but the thought of giving myself a shot makes my skin crawl. It seems so much easier to just wiggle your legs on the plane.

One other thing -- it's interesting to hear that other people have more trouble with jet lag coming back from Europe. I have great difficulty with the trip over (at least until I've had my first night's sleep), but I think coming back is a breeze.

Carroll,

"it's interesting to hear that other people have more trouble with jet lag coming back from Europe.

I think that's a good illustration of the fact that jet lag affects everyone differently to some extent. I know from other posts here that some of the other HelpLine members also have more trouble with jet lag on the return home.

I always pack along No Jet Lag, but I usually forget to take it. That's one of the reasons I can't say definitively that it works.

Cheers!

I have always had more trouble with Jet Lag coming back to the USA. Karin

I think jet lag has as much (or more) to do with the timing of the flights than the direction.

We always depart the west coast in late afternoon or early evening, on a non-stop flight that arrives in Europe (London or Copenhagen) in the morning. We experience a very short night on the flight, and are a little rummy the first day in Europe. We stay up that day and go to bed at the usual time local time, and the next day we are fine.

On the return, the flights depart Europe in mid-afternoon and travel non-stop back to Seattle, arriving here a few hours after we left (using local time). So instead of a short night, we have a very long day. We stay up til normal bedtime that day, and usually the next day we are fine.

I assume if we were to fly on a different schedule, things could be quite different. The only time I have every experience bad jet lag was on a return flight from Japan. I assumed it was the long flight coupled with the unfamiliar timing.

Lots of great advise re DVT prevention... I always feel better if I keep hydrated, walk around every few hours (during my trips to the plane loo I usually do lots of great stretches while waiting), and try to sleep. I also try to have a fairly good walk before a flight, even if I'm just wandering around the departure area.

Jet lag is another issue. I tried the No Jet Lag pills on my way to London from Vancouver and they worked really well on our overnight flight. I could feel the effects (mellow, slightly sleepy, warm, peaceful) which made dozing off quite easy. I may have actually slept for a few hours... When we got to London we were soooo excited that we checked in, freshened up, and went for a huge walk along the Thames. Went to sleep about 11pm and woke up completely awake at 4am so watched some bizarre British telly. Had a fairly easy day and felt fine.

Coming back was a different issue. Did not sleep at all on the plane because we were flying during the day and arriving at dinner time. Managed to stay awake until 10pm (which was really 6am London time) and fell into a deep sleep, only to wake up four hours later completely awake. Spent the next three days feeling like I had the worst hangover in the world minus the party. Friends of mine have taken sleeping pills on their first night back to help them stay asleep and swear by it. I think it is so exciting to travel and always a let down to come home. I am not sure it is the direction of travel or the fact that the holiday is over...

Thank you for asking this, I am concerned about the same thing! I am seeing my physician in a few weeks (about a month and half before my trip)-- to see what I should do. I am worried about the dvt, as I have never flown longer than 4 hours, and am scared of getting up once i get on the plane, unless it is to get off-- (it literally gives me panic attacks!) I have a congenital heart defect and a pacemaker-- which have never been an issue before-- aside from being practically strip searched going through security. (I am much younger than the "typical" person stating they have a pacer!! So I think the personel aren't expecting it-- whch is also why i usually wear a top that shows my scar.) So... I usually just wiggle my legs alot... not sure this method will work for the 8hr flight though. :P

The other thing i am afraid of is the pressure at descent after such a long trip. The last time I flew, I had no problems with my ears-- but the pressure in the sinus cavity between my nose and behind my right eye, was so bad I was in tears by the end of it, and had horrible migraine the next two days. I want to avoid this at all cost!!! and I am pretty sure i can't just take a benadryl shortly before descent. :( (its on my dr ?? list!) Anyone here ever have this? how did you alleviate it?? I mean i honestly thought my eye was going to pop out, the pressure was really that bad.

Once when I had a sinus infection, the pressure change on descent drove me ballistic, so I sympathize. It should only be a problem if you have active sinus congestion. Antihistamines, like benadry, won't be effective unless the cause of your congestion is allergic sinusitis. A better option would be to take a decongestant (ask your doctor about which one and realize that because most of these are stimulants, you probably won't sleep on the flight). Some physical techinques you can try include the Valsalva maneuver (pinch your nose and strain like you're having a bowel movement) and massaging the area of your temple immediately in front of the ear canal. The absolute most effective technique, which I DO NOT RECOMMEND, is puncturing your ear drum with a pen or pencil.

Ironic you mention the ear drum popping. My left ear drum has had a small puncture in it for a long time, but my right ear- on the side where I had all the sinus pain, is not. Don’t worry , I don’t plan on making the right even with the left!! The decongestant is a good idea- I will have to ask my Dr. Because, as you pointed out, it is a stimulate—I may not be able to take one, especially when flying. (they can sometimes give you the “flutters” in the heart—and I am already prone to those! : ) ) But maybe, I could take one the day before, and possibly the morning of the day we are flying? I don’t know.

As for the jet lag, I am hoping if I sleep on the plane, it will trick my body into feeling like it really is 8am when we land. But, I am afraid I will be too excited/ nervous to sleep.

Also, I am hoping to avoid a cold caused by being in a plane cabin for so long, so I am thinking of taking vitamin c supliments with me to take—any other suggestions for avoiding that? ( I think that might have been what happened last time I flew, I caught a cold on our initial flight that didn’t manifest itself right away- and therefore made landing on the flight home absolutely awful.)

Vitamin C supplements only prevent infections if you have a clinical deficiency- ie, scurvy, which is extremely rare these days. Supplements won't hurt, but they don't help either. The single most effective strategy for preventing an infection is frequent handwashing. Many people use a small bottle of hand sanitizer. It's not 100%, but it's the most you can do on a flight.

"As for the jet lag, I am hoping if I sleep on the plane, it will trick my body into feeling like it really is 8am when we land. But, I am afraid I will be too excited/ nervous to sleep." Your sleep/wake cycle takes it's cues from the sunlight, both it's duration and angle from the horizon. You can't "trick" it, but maxmizing your sun exposure (while protecting your skin from burning, of course) over the first couple of days of your trip can help re-adjust your cycle.

If you drink enough water on the flight, the getting up to move about will take care of itself because you'll need to go to the restroom.

One remedy for jet lag I've posted elsewhere on this forum is to fast. Sunlight is the normal way the body sets its internal clock, but hunger is apparently a backup mechanism. Do a google search for fasting, jet lag, and rats to learn more.

As for the sinus pressure issue, this used to plague me flying, but I'd also get horrible sinus headaches with some frequency even when not flying. But then I found a good allergist who helped me control my condition and I haven't really had troubles since. I did the allergy shot routine, use two nose sprays (an antihistamine and a nasal steroid), and I spray saline solution in my nose every morning. If you do nothing else, I recommend the last. It is amazing how much it helps.

Gwen, I had a really bad time with my ears on one of my flights on my last trip. It is really painful. Normally, when I feel my ears getting clogged up, I hold my nose and swallow, and if that doesn't work, I hold my breath and try to force the air out of my ears. It usually makes my ears pop and it relieves the pressure. But this one time it didn't. Try not to worry about it ahead of time, because the fact that it happened to you once doesn't mean it will happen every time. However, talking about it with your doctor is a good idea. Good luck.