Compression stockings

[AireScottie]

How long do your compression stockings work?  Most brands state they should last 6 months.  Mine always start to stretch out after 2 weeks, and by 5-6 weeks, the tops of the thigh-highs are around my calves.  My doctor says this is common, but the medical supply fitter says he's never heard of this.  If you all have trouble too, I think we should let the companies know.  It just really steams my rice for something to cost that much and perform so poorly.

[halbashes]

I've been hesitant to even try the waist-high ones myself because of my digestive problems.  Are they as incredibly uncomfortable as they seem?

[Heiferly]

There isn't much compression at the waist level, really; although some people say it helps them with abdominal pooling, mine seem pretty loose up top relative to the rest of the hose.  The downside that I've found is that if I'm wearing pants over them it's a major production to use the restroom and get them pulled back up properly so they're not binding at my knees and constricting my circulation from the knee down ... you almost need to completely undress and redress every time.  Which if you're fluid-loading and using the restroom a corresponding amount is a REAL pain.  

I think the main reason I don't wear them is that I have so much trouble getting them on and off.  Am I the only one who struggles with this?

[halbashes]

I have trouble with the thigh-high ones.  They can take me several minutes to put on.  My biggest problem with them though is probably that they tend to keep me a little too warm.  I'm so extremely heat sensitive.

[AireScottie]

I too would say the waist high are a real pain in the bathroom.  There doesn't seem to be much compression past the leg anyway, and the waist high made me feel much more overheated than the thigh high.  I'm dreading the hot weather and compression stockings, but hot weather is always when you need compression most :P  Anything over 73 degrees and I start to melt.  I haven't tried the cooling gel yet; maybe this summer...

[chames]

Hi,
New to the world of compression stockings/garments -- my husband has been stricken with a very sudden onset 'autonomic insufficiency' which is still in testing and diagnostic stage. No specific label/name yet. Scary times.
While he/we wait, he was put on the 'do it yourself/at home' prescription: compression stockings and hydration program.
Wears thigh high Mediven(sp?) all day, from getting up to going to bed. First few days, struggled with the tops falling more to knee level -- defeating the purpose of thigh-high and a real annoyance. (Hubbie has very toned and trim legs from 6 days per week workouts prior to this mystery illness attacking him.)
Found product called "Stays On" and it does! It's a roll-on gel, safe to use every day (says our local home health care center RN), he puts it on his legs around where the band tops will sit, and they remain in place all day. No matter how many times goes from sitting to standing to laying down. As he has regained some strength and balance thanks to compression stockings, he has resumed some light exercise at home -- treadmill walking and recumbent bike, plus stretching. With the gel product, stockings don't move even through that.
In the new, bewildering world of autonomic problems, without a real diagnosis yet, and absorbing these life changes and alterations, the "Stays On" product was a bit of a thrill -- one less hassle to contend with.  Hope this is helpful to others.
Also, I wash his stockings nightly, in the special soap (Jolastic) and sure hope stockings last longer than 1 month. His are not covered by any insurance, and yes, they sure are expensive, that will really add up if they become worn out so quickly.

[halbashes]

I just ordered some new waist-high compression stockings, (30-40 mmHg), this afternoon.  I usually go with the thigh-high stockings, but decided to take a chance on the waist-high ones.  Thank you for letting me know that they don't squash the stomach.  I was quite concerned about that.  :)