Last day at sea my calfs and ankles swelled and became hard and painful

[S.E.]

I took my first cruise and we got back on the 13th. It was awesome! We had a blast. Only problem is the last full day at sea my lower legs and ankles swelled and my calfs became hard and painful. Each step I took hurt. The swelling has subsided a lot, but I am still having pain at night and if I move a lot in the day. My legs have never felt so weird.

 

Anyone else have this problem and how long does it last?

[jenms2000]

here's a thread about that very subject http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1166435. the same thing happened to me a couple of times and i started taking my own bottled water and it seems to help alot. hope this helps.

[H82seaUgo]

Always happens to me at the beginning of the cruise, not the end.

[big_duck]

Too much Alcohol and rich food. The swelling should subside rather quickly.

[Crusin Hogs]

are you walking and standing more than you normally

do? or different surface than you are normally on?

[big_duck]

Are you sure it isn't a blood clot? Perhaps you should see a doctor? How can you be sure it is related to the cruise?

 

Both calves?

[spleenstomper]

Are you sure it isn't a blood clot? Perhaps you should see a doctor? How can you be sure it is related to the cruise?

[Marie51]

My feet and ankles swell on every cruise. It doesn't make any difference if I drink bottled or tap water or how much alcohol I consume. I think it is all that walking in the heat.

[kujobie]

Are you sure it isn't a blood clot? Perhaps you should see a doctor? How can you be sure it is related to the cruise?

 

A blood clot in both ankles? That would be a stroke of bad luck..

[kujobie]

It's probably a combination of lots of food/salt, and lots of walking. Also, if you do any snorkelling/diving, and are not used to these activities, that could cause some soreness. Also, being overweight, having high blood pressure, sun exposure/dehydration, and smoking, etc. could contribute..

[cb at sea]

I've never had a swelling problem....generally, flights will have something to do with it...or you simply are prone to it, but don't stand enough during your normal life to notice....

[spleenstomper]

DVT can cause both legs to swell even if the clot is in only one leg: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/seniors/common-older/800.html

 

Plus, yes, there is such a thing as bilateral DVT. (both legs)

 

Also, from post #8 of the linked thread: "Mine swell because I have had DVT in both legs.. "

 

I think OP needs to see a doctor. We can't see OPs legs and I feel it could be harmful for us to speculate on a medical condition....

 

(DVT runs in my family: my grandmother and great grandmother both died from blood clots, and my aunt had one last year after knee surgery...)

[big_duck]

I think OP needs to see a doctor. We can't see OPs legs and I feel it could be harmful for us to speculate on a medical condition....

 

Whilst one can never argue with such advice, cruise cankles is a relatively common phenomenon. No need to see zebras where there are horses.

[chickie_mite]

A blood clot in both ankles? That would be a stroke of bad luck..

 

No pun intended, right?! :eek:

 

j/k :)

[spleenstomper]

Whilst one can never argue with such advice, cruise cankles is a relatively common phenomenon. No need to see zebras where there are horses.

 

I understand, but OP is still complaining about pain. My cankles have never hurt. OP also said his legs still feel "weird".

[spleenstomper]

No pun intended, right?! :eek:

 

j/k :)

 

I thought the same thing.

[halos]

I swell up on every cruise.

I blamed it on alcohol...humidity, anything I could think of.

 

I just took an 8 day land vacation in Mexico.

Same alcohol

Same humidity

 

NO swelling.

 

I think the ships use way too much salt in the food, or MSG, or something because it isn't the heat, humidity or the booze.

I have a cruise booked for January and I requested low sodium diet. We'll see if that makes a difference.....

I understand, but OP is still complaining about pain. My cankles have never hurt. OP also said his legs still feel "weird".

 

 

 

although it's always best to see a Dr., I can tell you that if you swell enough, it IS painful.

BUT DVT is scary. My Dad died from it at age 53......it's best to seek medical attention.

[Tbay-eh]

Drink lots of water - there is sooooooo much added salt and MSG in the food. Also, alcohol can add to it. If you are still really concerned then I would definitely see a doctor but like one poster said "no need to see Zebras when there are just horses"

[lillian marie]

I'd see a doctor. Swollen ankles can occur from a lot of health issues.

[spleenstomper]

Halos, how do I request a low sodium diet? DH has high blood pressure and MSG causes it to spike. We always request no MSG... but I suppose requesting low sodium would do.

[big_duck]

I swell up on every cruise.

I blamed it on alcohol...humidity, anything I could think of.

 

I just took an 8 day land vacation in Mexico.

Same alcohol

Same humidity

 

NO swelling.

 

I think the ships use way too much salt in the food, or MSG, or something because it isn't the heat, humidity or the booze.

I have a cruise booked for January and I requested low sodium diet. We'll see if that makes a difference.....

 

I've suffered from bad cruise cankles on 2 cruises. Both were solos with a large group of "professional" drinkers.

 

I blame the booze.

[lsw9658]

I took my first cruise and we got back on the 13th. It was awesome! We had a blast. Only problem is the last full day at sea my lower legs and ankles swelled and my calfs became hard and painful. Each step I took hurt. The swelling has subsided a lot, but I am still having pain at night and if I move a lot in the day. My legs have never felt so weird.

 

Anyone else have this problem and how long does it last?

 

Please keep us updated on how you are!

[halos]

I've suffered from bad cruise cankles on 2 cruises. Both were solos with a large group of "professional" drinkers.

 

I blame the booze.

 

 

salty booze???? :p

 

For me it has to be the food....being with 'professional drinkers' doesn't ever affect my intake. I'm always moderate.

I don't like to get sick and I look really gross if I have too much to drink :p

[big_duck]

salty booze???? :p

 

For me it has to be the food....being with 'professional drinkers' doesn't ever affect my intake. I'm always moderate.

I don't like to get sick and I look really gross if I have too much to drink :p

 

But I look better the more you drink. ;):D

[Buffettfan 225]

Halos, how do I request a low sodium diet? DH has high blood pressure and MSG causes it to spike. We always request no MSG... but I suppose requesting low sodium would do.

Just curious on MSG-does waiter tell you what does not have MSG?

Just wondering as sensitive to it.