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Compression stockings
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.
Hi, I am new to the group...:)
I recently got compression stockings, knee highs, sigvaris 20-30. I was told to put them on wearing vinyl gloves. The first time I tried taking them off I almost strangled my legs!
They rolled down and compressed and I was in a panic to get them off. Now I have the hang of it.
My problem is I have both low and high blood pressure. I have to be careful when and how long I wear the stockings to get the right effect. If I wear them too long my blood pressure goes too high. If I don't wear them long enough it goes too low. Of course fluid balance, activity, temperature, body position and how long I have been standing or sitting all come into account. I feel sometimes like I need a computer to sort if all out.
My insurance company will cover their portion of two pairs per six months. The place I got them said normally they last only 3-4 months. Maybe mine will last longer as I wear them only part of the day.
I raise my blood pressure also with water. Two glasses can raise it within 30 minutes.
It has been a challenge to keep it in the right range where it is low enough I won't have a stroke and it is high enough I won't faint. Going off two medications that caused skipped heartbeats helped a lot. Before that my head felt like it was being constantly inflated and deflated because of falling and raising blood pressure.
I recently got compression stockings, knee highs, sigvaris 20-30. I was told to put them on wearing vinyl gloves. The first time I tried taking them off I almost strangled my legs!
They rolled down and compressed and I was in a panic to get them off. Now I have the hang of it.
My problem is I have both low and high blood pressure. I have to be careful when and how long I wear the stockings to get the right effect. If I wear them too long my blood pressure goes too high. If I don't wear them long enough it goes too low. Of course fluid balance, activity, temperature, body position and how long I have been standing or sitting all come into account. I feel sometimes like I need a computer to sort if all out.
My insurance company will cover their portion of two pairs per six months. The place I got them said normally they last only 3-4 months. Maybe mine will last longer as I wear them only part of the day.
I raise my blood pressure also with water. Two glasses can raise it within 30 minutes.
It has been a challenge to keep it in the right range where it is low enough I won't have a stroke and it is high enough I won't faint. Going off two medications that caused skipped heartbeats helped a lot. Before that my head felt like it was being constantly inflated and deflated because of falling and raising blood pressure.
After Heiferly's comment, I went looking for higher compression, and it turns out you can get 40-50 or 50-60 mm from Sigvaris and Juzo. I should have mine on right now, but the company sent me knee-high instead of thigh-high. One of them makes pantyhose that compress all the way to the waist. I'll let you all know if the 40-50 are impossible to get on!
Thank you for the tip on the "Stays On" product. I think I saw something like that today at the store. I may try it sometime.
Also, if you live in the USA, Medicaid usually covers prescription compression stockings for Orthostatic Intolerance.
Also, if you live in the USA, Medicaid usually covers prescription compression stockings for Orthostatic Intolerance.
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. :)
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.
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.
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...
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