swollen feet and ankles

[newmexicoNita]

On board said about what I was going to say: Higher humidity, different foods, more alcohol, probably drinking less water; all lead to water retention. I think not having the problem is more unusual than having it. The lemon in the water is a great idea, drink as much as you can (I mean water) and cut back on the salt. I think about breakfast alone: at home we have eggs and bacon, sausage or whatever once or twice a week, most. On a ship it is almost daily plus all the cheese, sandwhiches with lunch meat and OMG I love the anchovies HAL has on the salad bar. I could go on and on. I look at it this way, as much as it is uncomforable it is a temporary thing. After being home 2 or 3 days I am back to normal. Someone did mention cruising the Mexican Riv is easier on the body. I don't know why. NMnita

[Guest BeckyThane]

I have to agree that it's probably the added salt in cruise food. I almost never have swollen fingers at home, but every time I cruise I have problems with my rings. I use very little salt at home, so I attribute the swollen fingers to the added salt.

[Cruise Lover Kathy]

You can get a natural water pill (Sundown.) It is an herbal supplement and it does help when I travel. A doctor on a ship also told me to put a life jacht under the food of the mattress to raise your feet when you sleep. Put the two together with some long walks around the deck will help the shoes fit.

[candelle]

Just a quickie to say that I don't drink alcohol (I know, I'm boring!) am pretty active on port days and drink lots of water, but this year I too had trouble with swollen ankles. In fact, I thought I may have a heart problem!

 

On returning home I saw my GP who told me that it is probably a combination of heat, age (late 50's) and poor leg muscles: put all of these together and you'll have swollen ankles. He said he couldn't comment on salt in food on board but that it was a possible problem.

 

I personally feel that the hidden salt in cruise ship food is a contributory factor, as I don't cook with salt and rarely add it to food and never swell up at home where temperatures were in the 90's this year. OK, the stomach and thighs have increased somewhat in recent years, but that's nothing to do with too much salt!

 

I thought that my swelling was a one-off, pertinent to me, so it is really interesting to see that others are affected too. I wonder what the scale of this problem really is, as it can't be doing any of us much good!

 

I can't think what was on the menus regarding low salt diets, as I didn't take much notice. Does any one remember if low-salt menus are the same as normal menus (but obviously without the salt), or are they a different menu completely?

 

Thanks for any answers or advice.

[cruzinnluvinit]

I talked to my cruise line and they said if I go to the doctor and he sends a note in, I can bring water or sodium free drinks onboard as long as I have that note when I show up. They also asked for me to call them before departure day and let them know I will be coming with the note. Sounds like I can bring my Diet Rite cola and not blow up like a blimp or have memory lapses from the sweetner.

[Cricket63]

Mine swell up terribly!!! I have a circulatory problem. Blood goes down, but doesn't go back up. :( I try and put my feet up as much as I can during the day. It also helps if you can put a towel under your heels to elevate your legs a little.

[sandy toes]

The water on board is fine. Reverse Osmosis make it so the sodium cannot cross over, so the water is "salt" free. The food on the other hand is highly salted. It makes you want to drink more and on ship most people go for another drink ($$$$) not another glass of water. Keep your feet up when you can. If you cannot put them up, flex your ankles while you ate sitting and move from foot to foot when standing (as in an excursion where someone is talking and showing you things). Be careful of those over the counter "water pills". Talk with your doc first. Some counter act your RX meds, some increase your heart rate, some play with your blood pressure. Limit the soda. (check out the labels the next time you shop. You will be surprised at the sodium levels in some brands).

[croozinsnoozin79]

Got this bit of advice on our last cruise.... a rubdown with rubbing alcohol and a nice massage. Worked really well for me, swelling subsided nicely and the cooling effect from the rubbing alcohol was so nice!

I agree with one of the above posters about the Mexican Riviera cruises too as I had no swelling on this route but boy oh boy I sure did on the Caribbean route!

[Mezzaluna]

I've had trouble while traveling in hot climates. We were on the Coral for the Panama Canal cruise and I had noticeable swelling only when in the really hot places (Panama, Costa Rica and Cozumel). I have cotton kneehigh support socks from Comfort Corner that I LOVE. I also have microfiber socks from them. You can find the cotton socks here: www.http://comfortcorner.com/product.asp?action=quick_order&pn=SK36

 

I always wear support socks when flying or riding long distances. If my ankles are swollen at bedtime I wear them to bed and have my ankles back by morning. The worst time I had was when we were in Italy and visited Pompeii in late June; it was 95 degrees. I wore the socks to bed and all was well in the morning.

[ggprincess2004]

I have a chronic problem with swelling in the feet and ankles when traveling. The suggestions to drink lots of water, watch the salt intake, keep feet elevated when possible - all excellent and they do help. In addition, I am a tea drinker, so I drink hot tea and iced tea whenever possible. Tea is a natural diuretic, and it helps. It was one of the things that I figured out changed in my routine at home vs. traveling. Now I just take tea bags with me to have the kind of tea I enjoy even on the plane.

I no longer sit still on the plane like a "good little girl". I get up and walk around before the first beverage service gets started, right after they finish, etc. I try to take a walk at least once every 45 min. on the plane. I stay away from the salty snacks they offer - even it is only 7 peanuts.

I do plan some time to keep the feet elevated after the flight, and during the trip. I take an ace bandage along and sometimes use the compression in it to remove some of the excess fluid.

One of the most pleasant ways to help deal with the problem is a foot and ankle massage the day you board the ship. A good massage helps get all the fluid moving again.

Also, floating the pools helps. I avoid the hot tubs, but use the regular pools for half an hour at a time, and that really helps as well.

finally, I do take prescription diuretics along just in case I can't have my tea, elevate my feet, etc. and need a boost. Even so, if I go to entertainment after dinner in the evening, I will have some swelling in the feet before the night is over. Thankfully, getting a good night's sleep seems to help that.

All this being said, check with the doctor first, and make sure there isn't any serious underlying pathology. If not, experimenting with all these suggestions to find a combination that works for your loved one is worth it, and makes the cruises that much more enjoyable.

[bububr]

After my horseback injury last March, I was forced to be inactive for quite a while. The lack of exercise along with comfort eating, and increased alcohol consumption did something to my veins. In January I went on a 2 nighter and my feet and ankles swelled SO MUCH I couldn't even get my flip flops on, of course my fingers swelled as they usually do also but not as significantlyas my legs. It got to be quite painful. When I returned home and saw my MD he saw nothing wrong. The next cruise (end of January )...it happened again, so when I got back I saw a leg specialist who ultra sounded and examined my legs only to find that the large interior veins were SEVERLY vericose. Who would have thought? I alway thought old people had Vericose veins and the popped out of the side of your legs.

 

Needless to say, I had laser surgery to close off the veins. I was also prescribed compression stockings for when I fly or sit for long periods of time, which I do use.

 

I just returned from a 10 night Caribbean cruise on Celebrity Zenith. I ate, drank, and played. I indulged fuzzy colorful drinks, ate salty food, and drank plenty of the ships water.

 

Very slight to NO swelling at all. No pain. nothing. My shoes actually felt bigger.

 

So for me, it wasn't the water, not necessarily the food or booze. It was bad circulation in my legs that caused a back up of fluids.

 

You bet I'm happy this is resolved. I enjoyed my escargot at dinner almost everynight, I just hope my cholesteral isn't wacked out now:D

 

Dave:eek:

[KruznKel]

After my horseback injury last March, I was forced to be inactive for quite a while. The lack of exercise along with comfort eating, and increased alcohol consumption did something to my veins. In January I went on a 2 nighter and my feet and ankles swelled SO MUCH I couldn't even get my flip flops on, of course my fingers swelled as they usually do also but not as significantlyas my legs. It got to be quite painful. When I returned home and saw my MD he saw nothing wrong. The next cruise (end of January )...it happened again, so when I got back I saw a leg specialist who ultra sounded and examined my legs only to find that the large interior veins were SEVERLY vericose. Who would have thought? I alway thought old people had Vericose veins and the popped out of the side of your legs.

 

Needless to say, I had laser surgery to close off the veins. I was also prescribed compression stockings for when I fly or sit for long periods of time, which I do use.

 

I just returned from a 10 night Caribbean cruise on Celebrity Zenith. I ate, drank, and played. I indulged fuzzy colorful drinks, ate salty food, and drank plenty of the ships water.

 

Very slight to NO swelling at all. No pain. nothing. My shoes actually felt bigger.

 

So for me, it wasn't the water, not necessarily the food or booze. It was bad circulation in my legs that caused a back up of fluids.

 

You bet I'm happy this is resolved. I enjoyed my escargot at dinner almost everynight, I just hope my cholesteral isn't wacked out now:D

 

Dave:eek:

 

 

Finally someone else whom has the swelling not related to food water this or that.. it is MEDICAL.. (VV and DVT)

 

I have posted before about having DVT in the lower calf.. again it has since gotten more light on the news as famous people have died from it..:( but I have had it since 1987-88.. I only have swelling in one leg and that is the whole leg from upper to toes.. I will say humidity kills that leg for some reason and it will swell to unbelieable sizes.. but on my last cruise in March.. I had very little swelling .. and I say that is because the humidity was lower than the 2 previous!! I eat drink everything and I love salt.. no other part of my body swells but my left leg!!

[POOHISME2]

every time we cruise my wife's ankles and feet swell up,

were wondering if any one else has experienced this?

Very common.;)

[jcook]

Funny, it happened to my husband and I just recently 4/17/07 on our cruise. As soon as we got home, though it went away. Sometimes its the salt and maybe the sun, too.:D

[Guest dukejr97]

I agree with the earlier poster use the compression socks. I have cruised several times with this problem. My last cruise I wore compression socks at night from dinner until the following morning. This measure really helped the problem with very noticeable results.

[shawilson]

I don't belive any of these reasons for foot swelling. It must be something else. Within minutes of getting off the ship, my ankles are back to normal. Someone mentioned the metal on ships that may be leaching into our bodies? Sounds creepy. Don't know the answer, but I'm really pissed that my ankle bracelets wouldnt fit. There must be a scientific answer to this. Anyone know a doc that could answer this question, or could steer us in the right direction?

[dforeigner]

I don't belive any of these reasons for foot swelling. It must be something else. Within minutes of getting off the ship, my ankles are back to normal. Someone mentioned the metal on ships that may be leaching into our bodies? Sounds creepy. Don't know the answer, but I'm really pissed that my ankle bracelets wouldnt fit. There must be a scientific answer to this. Anyone know a doc that could answer this question, or could steer us in the right direction?

 

Did you hear this from Rossie Odonnell? If this were true, the personnel that spend years on boar ships would suffer from some sort of metal poisoning or toxicity.

[WELSH WIZARDS]

I agree with the earlier poster use the compression socks. I have cruised several times with this problem. My last cruise I wore compression socks at night from dinner until the following morning. This measure really helped the problem with very noticeable results.

Firstly, I agree with you, compression stockings are marveluos, and anyone who experiences swelling should look into wearing them. However, I would like to add a word of caution about NOT wearing them at night. My doctor advised me to only wear them in the day, and the instructions with the stockings also state NOT TO BE WORN AT NIGHT. :eek:

[ohioNCLcruiser]

every time we cruise my wife's ankles and feet swell up,

were wondering if any one else has experienced this?

 

After my first week as a waiter, my feet sure as heck swelled up!:eek:

[grgsuch]

I have had a DVT in my left leg since I was 15. Dislocated hip from diving for a football. In 1977, they believed in leaving you flat on your back after surgery. Guess what, they have found that this causes bloodclots. I have managed my whole life very well. Played basketball, farm and also a firefighter for twenty years. I feel better being active than I do sitting. I do know my leg is not going to get any better. That is why we are going to Hawaii in September. My doctor is worried about the long flight. I am on bloodthinner but he is going to give me a shot of lovenox(it is a thinner also) before I fly and when I return. ( 9 hour flight) The biggest thing about dvt or swollen legs is prevention. Walk, put your legs up, stay active. Really anything that makes that leg feel better you should do. I wear a compression sock and have a full length one for travel. I do not where my sock at night. If I am not on my leg, it does not swell. I listen to my body, when my leg feels more swelled I get off my feet for awhile. Prevention is my strongest suit for battling my problem. Good luck to all.

[Caribbean-Ria]

Well, Well.. this happened to me too and I thought something had bitten me on the beach it got so bad I couldn't stand very long,I'am cruising again in sept. so I guess I'll drink lots of water, it really hurt though...:(

[BJAMINGIRL]

I have been on 32 cruises. The last 7 years I started having the problem with my ankles & feet. I talked to my doctor who prescribed water pills. I have been on 4 cruises since then and have had no problem since then.

 

It has made my trips soooo much nicer:)

[Caribbean-Ria]

I have been on 32 cruises. The last 7 years I started having the problem with my ankles & feet. I talked to my doctor who prescribed water pills. I have been on 4 cruises since then and have had no problem since then.

 

It has made my trips soooo much nicer:)

 

Thank you for the tip , I'll be talking to my Doctor before I go.

[sstephy]

My feet, ankles and even calves swell during every cruise. After the first when I was in my 20's my dr told me it was caused by the desalinazation of drinking water and ice on the ships. I now try to watch my intake, but it doesn't always work. I take diuretics on a daily basis so taking them on the ship doesn't help with the feet swelling. The only thing I've found that helps is to wear compression stockings during the day and putting my legs/feet up during the night.

If you're taking diuretics for the first time during the cruise be sure to drink plenty of bottled water and eat lots of fresh vegetables and fruit because diuretics will deplete your potassium levels which can be dangerous.

[love2relax]

I just found this thread when I did a search today. I never had a problem with swelling unitil my last two cruises. Both of them were out of ports that are less than an hour's drive from my house, so long travel wasn't a problem. I drink a LOT of water. It's just about the ONLY thing I drink. On the cruise in June, it was so bad by the second day that I couldn't put shoes on. I drank more and more water trying to flush it out, and it got worse. It was so painful that I began having difficulty walking. I tried massages and elevating my feet, but nothing helped. The morning after I got off the ship, my feet and ankles were back to normal. On my next cruise, the same thing happened! We took an excursion where drinks were free for the entire day. It was very hot, and they had bottled water. I think I had about 7 bottles of water during the trip. The next morning, my ankles were a little smaller. I cosumed about 6 glasses of water during dinner that evening too. It was hot, and I drink a lot. So for the rest of the cruise, I only drank bottled water. The swelling went down immediately. So from now on, I'm taking bottled water on cruises. I drink regular water from the Colorado River at home, but as I have aged, there must be SOMETHING in the water after the ship's processing that does not agree with me. I'll carry as much as they'll let me take on. You all complain about your bar bill. I'll be complaining about my water bill if I take a long cruise. Someone said it didn't make a difference to her husband when he used bottled water. All I'm saying is that for me it did. We're all different. I hope that this helps someone else. I live in a hot climate that runs from the 90's to 100's all summer. While the humidity on the second cruise was higher that I am used to, the first one was to ports with climates even cooler than my own; so I don't think the weather had any bearing on it (for me).