topic Re: Compression socks.......do they help? in Among Friends

Compression socks.......do they help?

Nataliesgramma — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 09:13:00 GMT

I am thinking of getting a pair for our trip to Disney later this year.....by the end of the week, my legs hurt and my feet start to swell. Would they help?

I wear my Go Walks and alternate shoes....but we walk alot with my daughters family..... average was 7 miles a day.

Re: Compression socks.......do they help?

hookedonq — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 10:19:06 GMT

My ankles tend to swell on long, hot days after standing or sitting, and especially on long flights. I purchased medical grade (a higher compression number than the ones sold on the Q) several years ago for flights to the west coast from the east coast...no wselling at all. Really help me! They are tricky to put on. You may want to start with a lower compression number and test them out to see what level works best for you. Good luck!

Re: Compression socks.......do they help?

drizzellla — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 11:50:09 GMT

After surgery for breast cancer, I went for physical therapy. The physical therapist said I should always use compression sleeve whenever I fly. They said it would help with lymphodema.

I think using the compression socks would be a help. In fact I went to an Antique Car Show yesterday. I walked many many miles and wish I wore compression socks. I wore short nylon socks. What a mistake. A nylon thread got stuck on my toenail. And pulled everytime I walked. But I thought it was that my one shoe was tight. Sadly, I finally took my shoe off and found out the nylon thread stuck on the toenail, But it was toward the end of the day.

Re: Compression socks.......do they help?

chrystaltree — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 12:18:47 GMT

If your feet and legs hurt or swell, maybe the logical thing to do is not walk so much. You don't have to go everywhere and do everything your family does. Relax a bit. Plan your activities so you can rest and sit with your feet elevated. Yes, compression sox do help with swelling. My feet swell when I sit for extended periods of time and my doctor did suggest compression sox but only when I am inside or during cooler weather. She said compression sox in hot summer weather would be too uncomfortable. I can't imagine waling around Disney in tight sox and heavy closed leather shoes. I think that would be torture.

Re: Compression socks.......do they help?

bonnielu — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 12:19:15 GMT

Long flights I wear them. Short flights, less than 3 hours I don't. Ask me why and I cannot tell you. I guess someone said it would be a good idea. I do get up and walk in the plane every half hour if I can, just a few feet but enough to move my legs and my body with it.

There was a dancer (star) on Dancing With the Stars as I recall that got blood clots going back and forth on airplanes to practice. Not sure I heard it right but that is what I recall. Someone out there will be quick to correct me and hopefully someone will know the facts.

Re: Compression socks.......do they help?

chrystaltree — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 12:42:10 GMT

@bonnielu wrote:
Long flights I wear them. Short flights, less than 3 hours I don't. Ask me why and I cannot tell you. I guess someone said it would be a good idea. I do get up and walk in the plane every half hour if I can, just a few feet but enough to move my legs and my body with it.

There was a dancer (star) on Dancing With the Stars as I recall that got blood clots going back and forth on airplanes to practice. Not sure I heard it right but that is what I recall. Someone out there will be quick to correct me and hopefully someone will know the facts.

That is correct. It depends on the person but many people, especially older people, are advised to wear compression socks during long flights. I think the rule is 3 hours or longer. We are all suppsosed to get up and walk and stretch our llegs during long flights and stay hydrated. It's to prevent blood clots, it's rare but it can happen to anyone. I remember it happened to a collge classmate of mine after a 12 hr flight to Hawaii. She was in her teens.

Re: Compression socks.......do they help?

freakygirl — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 13:41:07 GMT

i was eager to read the replies here because when i go on long flights, my legs swell up. not my feet though. just from my knees to my ankles. i move around on the plane, i bend and wiggle my legs when i'm seated, and yet it always happens. i tried wearing compression socks before but it didn't do anything for me. no relief. i wish there was something else i could do. 😕

Re: Compression socks.......do they help?

SeaMaiden — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 13:57:27 GMT

I have been wearing these types of socks daily since 2013 when I had double knee replacement. I was getting pooling of blood in my ankles after surgery with swelling so my PT person suggested compression socks. It works so good. I like the way they feel and wear them every day since. I also have a lot of veins in my legs so these are good for circulation and helps my veins to work better. I buy mine off the internet as I like a nude or beige color sock and QVC only offers dark colors for some reason.

Re: Compression socks.......do they help?

GATORGIRL — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 14:15:39 GMT

@freakygirl wrote:
i was eager to read the replies here because when i go on long flights, my legs swell up. not my feet though. just from my knees to my ankles. i move around on the plane, i bend and wiggle my legs when i'm seated, and yet it always happens. i tried wearing compression socks before but it didn't do anything for me. no relief. i wish there was something else i could do. 😕

@freakygirl

I have seen compression calf sleeves advertised. I wonder if that might work for you?

Re: Compression socks.......do they help?

MalteseMomma — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 15:23:59 GMT

I prefer the compression calf sleeves (Amazon) Ones with feet get holes in them and then you have to discard them. Calf sleeves last so much longer and are easier to wash daily

BTW ,they help emensly with all my leg /feet problems

Re: Compression socks.......do they help?

hckynut — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 15:59:27 GMT

(thread title)

I have found them to meet all purposes for which they are made. I have worn them because I have had deadly PE, twice, in the few times I have flown. They also met their purpose of helping reduce the swelling in my feet and legs when on long term fluid IV.

I have never had "what I consider real pain", so that I cannot answer. What I can say is wearing TED Hose have always made my legs feel better when I need to wear them.

hckynut(john)

Re: Compression socks.......do they help?

Moonchilde — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 16:28:34 GMT

Yes, they do help, as far as aching and swelling. As someone else said, jumping right into the tightest medical compression might not be comfortable or necessary, and they require a fair amount of strength to put on.

Until you know what's comfortable for you and before you spend the money on the "wrong" (if it is) compression for you, either of these products can be purchased in the drugstore as a single pair. They are both medium compression. For me they are not too light compression (useless IMO) and they're not so tight you have to seriously struggle to get them on. They're unisex and S/M fits most women.

Re: Compression socks.......do they help?

GCR18 — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 16:44:38 GMT

I wear them from time to time. I only need compression around my ankle. I bought short compression socks at Amazon. They come in many colors or at least they did when I bought mine.

Re: Compression socks.......do they help?

freakygirl — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 17:14:52 GMT

GATORGIRL, thanx! i'm going to check that out right now 😊 have a good weekend!

Re: Compression socks.......do they help?

RedTop — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 18:25:32 GMT

Yes, compression hosiery works, and will make a difference with circulation issues. I urge you to buy quality hosiery; even if you have to buy them from a medical supply company.

Please do yourself a favor and wear the hosiery a lot before you make the trip to Disney. Wear them with all the shoes you intend to wear on the trip. The best shoes for me to walk in are Nike tennis shoes. Skechers do not work well for me beyond a quick trip to the drive thru at the bank, or post office; all Skechers make my feet swell.

Re: Compression socks.......do they help?

Lapdog — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 19:01:43 GMT

@Nataliesgramma

I began a job when I was 35 that was well beyond my physical capabilities. I survived. One of the best tips I was given was to buy support panty hose. They made my legs and by extension my job, much much better. I was very hot natured and I was not bothered wearing them. They seemed to energize my legs.

Have a wonderful trip!!!

Re: Compression socks.......do they help?

deedledeedeedle — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 20:22:54 GMT

Yes, @Nataliesgramma, compression stockings really do help with edema & lower extremity circulation.

The challenge is getting them on. Think of an old fashioned girdle (if you are aged enough to remember those things). It is like inching up a girdle or support hose only 10 X as tight. Once they are on the legs they feel wonderful, other than being hot. If you get the open toe style they are much cooler than the closed toe style. Medical Supply stores sell a device that looks like a 2 liter coke bottle sliced in half longways with straps on it to stretch the stocking over, and then step into. Once they are on you pull the contraption out. Make sure the compression is evenly distributed and the length is good, as you don't want circulation at the knees cut off by them rolling down.

Good luck if you try them. The Legacy brand sold on the Q are pretty good starter socks. You can work up to Jobst stockings (the Cadillac or medical grade socks). Ask your doctor to write a prescription because even if your insurance does not cover them, you can use them as a tax deduction WITH an Rx.

dee

Re: Compression socks.......do they help?

coco14 — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 21:22:38 GMT

Gator Girl and Maltese Momma-

Thank you both so much for your suggestion of calf sleeves - I had not heard of them before but will look for them now -

Compression socks are so uncomfortable for me but I do need something to combat the swelling. I think the calf sleeves may be the answer for me.

Re: Compression socks.......do they help?

Kachina624 — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 22:07:35 GMT

I have no trouble with leg or foot swelling until I get on an airplane. Then I tend to swell like a balloon and, although the flight ends, the swelling remains and causes discomfort for several days. My doctor says it's caused by poor quality air on airliners.

I've got several pairs of compression socks I put on the morning of a flight and I then have no swelling. If you swell with these socks, you may not be getting enough compression. My socks are a very snug fit.

Re: Compression socks.......do they help?

Kachina624 — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 22:10:51 GMT

@Nataliesgramma wrote:
I am thinking of getting a pair for our trip to Disney later this year.....by the end of the week, my legs hurt and my feet start to swell. Would they help?
I wear my Go Walks and alternate shoes....but we walk alot with my daughters family..... average was 7 miles a day.

@Nataliesgramma Although Sketches may feel soft and squishy, they offer no support for the foot. I'd leave them at home and wear something more substantial. I imagine you would get some benefit from compression socks.