Almost unbearable pain in legs while flying
February 7, 2016 3:39 PM Subscribe
When I flew to England and back in the last 2 weeks I had unbearable pain in my legs and I have to do the trip again some time in the next month and I'm worried/want to do what I can to prepare myself.
I have googled and frankly the results scared me so I thought I could get some more helpful calm advice here. I've seen compression socks suggested but the pain is almost entirely in my thighs. It feels like a lot of pressure and it gets worse and worse as the flight goes on. The pain wore off a few hours after we landed.
I absolutely have to fly. My mother is dying and I'm now waiting on word that she is nearing the end so I can go be with her when it happens.
I'd really appreciate hearing this isn't going to end in me having a blood clot and any tips that can help me.
I have googled and frankly the results scared me so I thought I could get some more helpful calm advice here. I've seen compression socks suggested but the pain is almost entirely in my thighs. It feels like a lot of pressure and it gets worse and worse as the flight goes on. The pain wore off a few hours after we landed.
I absolutely have to fly. My mother is dying and I'm now waiting on word that she is nearing the end so I can go be with her when it happens.
I'd really appreciate hearing this isn't going to end in me having a blood clot and any tips that can help me.
Can you clarify how long ago you had the pain? Did you have it during both the flights there and back? If so, did it go away in between?
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 3:59 PM on February 7, 2016
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 3:59 PM on February 7, 2016
I'm very sorry to hear about your mother. This sounds like a stressful situation, and I'm sure this is the last thing you want to worry about right now. However, you need to take care of yourself.
I think you need to go see a doctor to discuss this, ASAP. It may or may not be a blood clot, but isn't it better to know?
posted by pie ninja at 3:59 PM on February 7, 2016
I think you need to go see a doctor to discuss this, ASAP. It may or may not be a blood clot, but isn't it better to know?
posted by pie ninja at 3:59 PM on February 7, 2016
Call your doctor to set up an appointment and rule out DVT. Untreated DVT can lead to fatal pulmonary thrombosis. You probably don't want that.
posted by tallmiddleagedgeek at 4:05 PM on February 7, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by tallmiddleagedgeek at 4:05 PM on February 7, 2016 [4 favorites]
I have lower back problems and hip arthritis, and sitting upright for long periods of time, like on planes, is agonizing all up and down my thighs. If you have similar joint issues they could be the cause. DVT is nothing to fuck with though and it is definitely a concern.
posted by poffin boffin at 4:07 PM on February 7, 2016
posted by poffin boffin at 4:07 PM on February 7, 2016
Thirding/forthing that you should rule out a DVT. Trust me that you do not want one.
Ruling out is relatively straightforward and what they are likely to do is look you over, take a history for risk factors, and maybe do some blood work.
If they do blood work, they're likely going to look at levels of antithrombin III, protein c, protein s, activated protein c resistance, post thrombin time or INR. If you're lucky they'll also do a G20210A genetic test, but I wouldn't count on it.
If they're suspicious of your current state, they'll also send you in for an ultrasound to look at what's going on in your thighs.
But because doctors have a much broader view of what's going on than you or I, I'm betting that it falls into the category of "something else".
posted by plinth at 4:27 PM on February 7, 2016 [4 favorites]
Ruling out is relatively straightforward and what they are likely to do is look you over, take a history for risk factors, and maybe do some blood work.
If they do blood work, they're likely going to look at levels of antithrombin III, protein c, protein s, activated protein c resistance, post thrombin time or INR. If you're lucky they'll also do a G20210A genetic test, but I wouldn't count on it.
If they're suspicious of your current state, they'll also send you in for an ultrasound to look at what's going on in your thighs.
But because doctors have a much broader view of what's going on than you or I, I'm betting that it falls into the category of "something else".
posted by plinth at 4:27 PM on February 7, 2016 [4 favorites]
IANAD, however, I have been evaluated for DVT a couple of times after pain during flying. My bet is that if this is symmetrical pain in both thighs that is not accompanied by swelling, temperature changes, pallor or redness and that dissipates after flying, it is not a DVT. It would be unlikely though not impossible that you would have DVT simultaneously in both legs with the presentation that you describe. Do you have other risk factors for DVT, such as being on birth control pills, a family history, etc?
I would suggest a visit to the doctor - they will be able to evaluate you and decide if further testing is needed. I would expect that they will check your leg temperature, circumference and circulation, and take a history, then decide if you need an ultrasound.
Also, are you tall or built in some nonstandard way?
Can you get an aisle seat? This might be the time to pay for some kind of upgrade.
When I fly, I try to get an aisle seat and stand up every hour or so. Failing that, I still make my seatmates move and stand up every couple of hours. (You sometimes see other people doing this.) I also do ankle exercises whenever I remember. I stay hydrated, starting before the flight, and try not to fall deeply asleep in on position for protracted periods. They say that taking an aspirin before you fly doesn't actually have any preventative (blood-thinning) effect, but I always take out out of superstition and just in case.
Do you get much exercise normally? Maybe try to do some gentle walking and stretching going forward (if you get leg pain immediately on walking or stretching, stop and go to the ER - that would suggest DVT, maybe). Also, I am sure you're carrying a LOT of tension due to sadness and stress - when I was visiting home to help in the care of a relative, I couldn't swallow and had a big lump in my throat, and I had a bad taste in my mouth. It was the weirdest thing, and it went away right after the care issue resolved. I got terrible hip pain while visiting my family at a stressful time. It could be that you are carrying stress, and due to some quirk of your physiognomy, it is causing tension and pain when you're sitting in a cramped position.
Oh, also, potassium for muscle cramps - bananas? Also people recommend the kind of tonic water with quinine.
posted by Frowner at 4:31 PM on February 7, 2016 [8 favorites]
I would suggest a visit to the doctor - they will be able to evaluate you and decide if further testing is needed. I would expect that they will check your leg temperature, circumference and circulation, and take a history, then decide if you need an ultrasound.
Also, are you tall or built in some nonstandard way?
Can you get an aisle seat? This might be the time to pay for some kind of upgrade.
When I fly, I try to get an aisle seat and stand up every hour or so. Failing that, I still make my seatmates move and stand up every couple of hours. (You sometimes see other people doing this.) I also do ankle exercises whenever I remember. I stay hydrated, starting before the flight, and try not to fall deeply asleep in on position for protracted periods. They say that taking an aspirin before you fly doesn't actually have any preventative (blood-thinning) effect, but I always take out out of superstition and just in case.
Do you get much exercise normally? Maybe try to do some gentle walking and stretching going forward (if you get leg pain immediately on walking or stretching, stop and go to the ER - that would suggest DVT, maybe). Also, I am sure you're carrying a LOT of tension due to sadness and stress - when I was visiting home to help in the care of a relative, I couldn't swallow and had a big lump in my throat, and I had a bad taste in my mouth. It was the weirdest thing, and it went away right after the care issue resolved. I got terrible hip pain while visiting my family at a stressful time. It could be that you are carrying stress, and due to some quirk of your physiognomy, it is causing tension and pain when you're sitting in a cramped position.
Oh, also, potassium for muscle cramps - bananas? Also people recommend the kind of tonic water with quinine.
posted by Frowner at 4:31 PM on February 7, 2016 [8 favorites]
Nthing talk to your doctor to rule out blood clots, and possibly take precautions to prevent them.
Assuming you get clearance to fly, some advice for the flight; If possible money wise, this may be a good trip to 'splurge' and upgrade your seating (extra legroom, bulkhead, premium economy, whatever your $$ circumstances allow). If you have to buy a last minute ticket, the price differential can vary from small to $$$$$...but it never hurts to ask when you book, and again at the gate. Try and get an aisle seat, to allow you to stand and stretch regularly. The airlines generally don't love people standing the whole flight, but it is entirely reasonable to get up and stretch once in a while. Try and remain well hydrated....if nothing else your bladder will enforce trips to the bathroom! (hence the aisle seat). Bringing a small cushion you can use under your back may helps shift pressure off your hips as well. Dressing so you are comfortable on the flight and bringing a light sweater/cardigan to keep warm if need be, can help you stay comfortable as well. Avoid excess alcohol/sleeping meds/etc on the flight; if you fall asleep and don't move around much, you're going to be sore when you land!
The advice about self care at this hard time is good; don't forget to take care of yourself, as best you can.
Safe travels.
posted by Northbysomewhatcrazy at 4:34 PM on February 7, 2016
Assuming you get clearance to fly, some advice for the flight; If possible money wise, this may be a good trip to 'splurge' and upgrade your seating (extra legroom, bulkhead, premium economy, whatever your $$ circumstances allow). If you have to buy a last minute ticket, the price differential can vary from small to $$$$$...but it never hurts to ask when you book, and again at the gate. Try and get an aisle seat, to allow you to stand and stretch regularly. The airlines generally don't love people standing the whole flight, but it is entirely reasonable to get up and stretch once in a while. Try and remain well hydrated....if nothing else your bladder will enforce trips to the bathroom! (hence the aisle seat). Bringing a small cushion you can use under your back may helps shift pressure off your hips as well. Dressing so you are comfortable on the flight and bringing a light sweater/cardigan to keep warm if need be, can help you stay comfortable as well. Avoid excess alcohol/sleeping meds/etc on the flight; if you fall asleep and don't move around much, you're going to be sore when you land!
The advice about self care at this hard time is good; don't forget to take care of yourself, as best you can.
Safe travels.
posted by Northbysomewhatcrazy at 4:34 PM on February 7, 2016
Please don't listen to anyone on this thread...except the ones who tell you to SEE A DOCTOR. Take good care of yourself!
posted by 8603 at 4:47 PM on February 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by 8603 at 4:47 PM on February 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
Nthing a doctor, ASAP.
Technically you can also sail there, but that's probably more expensive and less comfortable than medical treatment - it's also a six-day trip.
posted by SMPA at 5:01 PM on February 7, 2016
Technically you can also sail there, but that's probably more expensive and less comfortable than medical treatment - it's also a six-day trip.
posted by SMPA at 5:01 PM on February 7, 2016
You have to talk to a doctor. Pain in both legs could be indicative of swelling/nerve/vascular issues in your torso, like near your spine or aorta, and none of those options are a crisis you want to have escalate on an airplane over the Atlantic.
The best news that you could get is a) not a big deal b) here's some treatment so you won't have the pain next time. Either you will get that outcome, which is great, or you won't die/force the plane to turn around and go back, which is also great.
You're under a huge amount of stress anyway, which is a great time to see a doctor just to make sure that all that extra stress isn't causing health problems, or get treatment going if it is.
posted by Lyn Never at 5:25 PM on February 7, 2016 [3 favorites]
The best news that you could get is a) not a big deal b) here's some treatment so you won't have the pain next time. Either you will get that outcome, which is great, or you won't die/force the plane to turn around and go back, which is also great.
You're under a huge amount of stress anyway, which is a great time to see a doctor just to make sure that all that extra stress isn't causing health problems, or get treatment going if it is.
posted by Lyn Never at 5:25 PM on February 7, 2016 [3 favorites]
If you go to a doctor, you can also get a prescription for compression stockings that go up your entire legs to the groin region, which might help with the pain, even if it's not DVT-related. They're pretty uncomfortable to get on and squeeze a bit behind the knees, but it's better than the pain it sounds like you're dealing with.
But please go to a doctor. This honestly doesn't sound like a DVT, but it's worth getting it checked out. I had a big clot that doctors initially missed (both my university medical center doc & ER docs), and ended up in the hospital for a week, in a wheelchair for three months, and with permanent leg damage that still bugs me over 10 years later. DVTs are no joke.
posted by Jaclyn at 5:54 PM on February 7, 2016
But please go to a doctor. This honestly doesn't sound like a DVT, but it's worth getting it checked out. I had a big clot that doctors initially missed (both my university medical center doc & ER docs), and ended up in the hospital for a week, in a wheelchair for three months, and with permanent leg damage that still bugs me over 10 years later. DVTs are no joke.
posted by Jaclyn at 5:54 PM on February 7, 2016
Response by poster: Wow, quite a consensus here!
I booked an appointment with a doctor for next Saturday.
Some clarifications:
- On the way there we had exit row seats. The pain wasn't so bad that time. I was able to stretch more easily. I had absolutely no pain in the two weeks between my flights. The flight back I had limited room, the person in front was fully reclined. I don't think I kept nearly hydrated enough. Flying and thinking about my mother was very stressful and I so I didn't think to drink enough water. My lower back also hurt a lot on the way back. I tried to use the crappy cushion provided to give me some lumber support but it didn't help too much.
- I do get minor back pain quite frequently when sitting down.
- I am not on birth control. No family history. I am 5'9" and I have long legs. There was no redness and very very slight swelling directly above my knees. My legs weren't painful to touch. Felt like cramps, that's the closest comparison I can make. Other than my work commute I don't exercise. And I did nothing but sit around with my mother the two weeks I was there.
posted by shesbenevolent at 6:00 PM on February 7, 2016
I booked an appointment with a doctor for next Saturday.
Some clarifications:
- On the way there we had exit row seats. The pain wasn't so bad that time. I was able to stretch more easily. I had absolutely no pain in the two weeks between my flights. The flight back I had limited room, the person in front was fully reclined. I don't think I kept nearly hydrated enough. Flying and thinking about my mother was very stressful and I so I didn't think to drink enough water. My lower back also hurt a lot on the way back. I tried to use the crappy cushion provided to give me some lumber support but it didn't help too much.
- I do get minor back pain quite frequently when sitting down.
- I am not on birth control. No family history. I am 5'9" and I have long legs. There was no redness and very very slight swelling directly above my knees. My legs weren't painful to touch. Felt like cramps, that's the closest comparison I can make. Other than my work commute I don't exercise. And I did nothing but sit around with my mother the two weeks I was there.
posted by shesbenevolent at 6:00 PM on February 7, 2016
For what it's worth, this doesn't sound like DVTs (the pain wouldn't go away and only come back on the next flight, it wouldn't be symmetric with symmetric swelling). Couldn't hurt to go to the doc, but it really just sounds like crampy legs from sitting in a cramped, uncomfortable seat for hours.
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 8:02 PM on February 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 8:02 PM on February 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
You should absolutely go see a doctor and I wouldn't wait until next Sunday, since as mentioned, if it is a blood clot it can dislodge and kill you rather suddenly.
However, I wanted to add that if it got better when you stood up, that should put your mind at ease, a little bit (but not so much that you don't see a doctor). I'm increased risk for DVT. When I had my leg falling asleep and hurting during a long flight, despite the fact that I was wearing the cursed socks, I spent pretty much the whole 20 hour flight standing up near the bathrooms, which was the only thing that made it feel better, and of course one of the things you do to avoid DVT. Anyway, when I got back and told my doc this, she said that DVT wouldn't have felt better standing up. So if it felt better standing up, take heart...But see a doctor anyway, and soon.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 9:24 PM on February 7, 2016
However, I wanted to add that if it got better when you stood up, that should put your mind at ease, a little bit (but not so much that you don't see a doctor). I'm increased risk for DVT. When I had my leg falling asleep and hurting during a long flight, despite the fact that I was wearing the cursed socks, I spent pretty much the whole 20 hour flight standing up near the bathrooms, which was the only thing that made it feel better, and of course one of the things you do to avoid DVT. Anyway, when I got back and told my doc this, she said that DVT wouldn't have felt better standing up. So if it felt better standing up, take heart...But see a doctor anyway, and soon.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 9:24 PM on February 7, 2016
Go and see your doctor. I will say that I can be in absolute agony in plane seating even short haul and I do suffer from lower back pain that absolutely gets significantly worse when I spend a lot of time flying (both frequent short trips and long ones) and that extends into various parts of my legs. Assuming your doc clears you of more serious conditions I'd recommend stretching regularly before, during and after the flight as well as massages, back massage helps a ton but whole body really fixes me up for a while. And hydration and sleep. You may also ask your doc for recommendations for pain relief if they conclude that's all there is to it.
posted by koahiatamadl at 11:16 PM on February 7, 2016
posted by koahiatamadl at 11:16 PM on February 7, 2016
Yay for seeing a doc!!! if they rule out all the things that are serious maybe this is just a circulation/sittingcrampedsucks issue?
totally agree with the wiggling, stretching, getting up etc. i also suffer from lower back pain, so working them core muscles usually help with that (planks, bridges etc.) i'd also start doing some stretching daily - just to get out kinks out - which could probably be there due to the stress...so sorry to hear about your mom.
hugs!!!
ohh and maybe flying in either sweatpants/joggers so nothings tight? or then compression leggings (underarmour is the bomb for those)?
posted by speakeasy at 2:42 AM on February 8, 2016
totally agree with the wiggling, stretching, getting up etc. i also suffer from lower back pain, so working them core muscles usually help with that (planks, bridges etc.) i'd also start doing some stretching daily - just to get out kinks out - which could probably be there due to the stress...so sorry to hear about your mom.
hugs!!!
ohh and maybe flying in either sweatpants/joggers so nothings tight? or then compression leggings (underarmour is the bomb for those)?
posted by speakeasy at 2:42 AM on February 8, 2016
Assuming you get cleared by your doctor, you might consider wearing compression pants like you'd wear for exercising. Basically leggings that act a lot like compression socks, since you have the pain in your thighs. Amazon has a bunch of them. Many will be thin enough to wear under real pants or you can wear them like just, leggings, with a sweater dress / tunic thing over them.
posted by Medieval Maven at 8:28 AM on February 8, 2016
posted by Medieval Maven at 8:28 AM on February 8, 2016
Just in case this is a contributing factor: do make sure you are wearing completely non-binding clothing when you fly. I was surprised to find out in a recent AskMe that I am not the only woman who mostly doesn't wear dresses except on airplanes because trousers are so painfully binding.
Leggings and a tunic-, shirt, skater-, sweater-, or maxi-dress plus some kind of sock (either compression or warm/comfortable, or the former under the latter) and slip-on shoes that are good for walking on hard slick airport floors. If you don't feel like you're wearing jammies plus shoes when you close your eyes, you're not comfortable enough. Leggings should be ankle-length rather than capri, so you're not running the risk of the hems biting into your calves if your legs swell, and err to the side of a little loose - your loose-fitting dress should hide any slight baggyness around the hips.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:42 AM on February 8, 2016 [3 favorites]
Leggings and a tunic-, shirt, skater-, sweater-, or maxi-dress plus some kind of sock (either compression or warm/comfortable, or the former under the latter) and slip-on shoes that are good for walking on hard slick airport floors. If you don't feel like you're wearing jammies plus shoes when you close your eyes, you're not comfortable enough. Leggings should be ankle-length rather than capri, so you're not running the risk of the hems biting into your calves if your legs swell, and err to the side of a little loose - your loose-fitting dress should hide any slight baggyness around the hips.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:42 AM on February 8, 2016 [3 favorites]
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