Wellness

[jubilant]

 Has anyone else had this problem? A few years ago I had to start wearing a compression sock on one of my legs. I now have arthritis in both shoulders and possibly rotator cuff tendonitis.  I can no longer pull up the weight of the compression sock they want me to wear like I used to. Even though I got a steroid shot in one of my shoulders yesterday,  I don't want to push my luck and bring any pain back or injure myself further. Any suggestions would be appreciated.     

[Kachina624]

@jubilant    Have you seen the compression socks that zip up?  They may not be prescription quality though. 

[jubilant]

@Kachina624 I just went to Amazon and saw one for the first time.  Do you know anyone who has tried them?  I haven't been to a medical store yet as the one close to us is so darned expensive.

[gaga]

Re: compression stockings.  There is a device you can buy on Amazon called a Sock Aid.  My hubby has to wear Comression socks & it works great.   You feed the socks on to the device & there are  straps on each side to help pull them on .  I also have a torn rotator cuff & I use it to put on my Compression Stockings.   Also using Latex Kitchen gloves helps too.

[Kachina624]

@jubilant    No I just saw them advertised somewhere.  If a doctor prescribed them, they should be covered by insurance/Medicare.  If not, ask him for a prescription and take it to a medical supply store. 

[jubilant]

@gaga  @Kachina624   Thanks for the suggestions. I need to get something pretty quick as the leg swells if I let it go without something. 

[msgb]

I was diagnosed with a large DVT when I was 34. I was on blood thinners for over 2+ yrs. It never has fully gone away but it is now considered to be chronic vein insufficiency. I wear a thigh high open toe compression stocking on one leg every day and will have to every day. That is fine with me--I am alive. I was originally told that I might not walk. Well I proved them wrong-- walk, ride a bike, do yoga. But in order to do them --must wear the stocking. It is not easy to put on esepecially when it is the stronger strengths of the stocking. I used to fold them in a certain manner with the heel the first thing I saw. Not easy to put on when it is hot and humid (summer) and when just out of the shower--so I wait some time to make sure leg has cooled down.

I do not know about the ones that zipper  but depending upon the strength that you need they do not go to my strength. As someone stated there are items that do help in assisting them to be put on. You can order them from the medical sites that carry the stockings. There are medical shops in the area around my home that carry them as well.

I have fibromyalgia so I understand that it is not easy to put these on. 
If you have open toe what might be an easier way to put on might be to put foot into a plastic bag and then start from the toe and pull the stocking up and when the stocking is on then pull the bag out via the open toe. (just a suggestion).

[jubilant]

@msgb   Good for you in proving the doctors wrong!  Determination can go a long way, I think.  That, with God's help has gotten me through a lot.

I have something funny to tell you:

   I just tried the plastic bag method with an old open toe compression sock. It went on easier (like you said).  I could not, however, get the bag out of the stocking.  So, lucky me, hubby was close by (trying to take a nap).  I asked him if he would pull on the plastic while I held onto the desk.  He  graciously agreed to do it.   I held on to the desk nearby.  Well, he pulled and pulled and flipped back into a chair with only a small piece of the bag in his hand that had torn off.  I somehow  managed to get some of the bag down on my toes again for him to pull again and same thing happened again!  He had a few choice words (which I dare not mention here) and said to me...."The things I do for you"  and went back to his nap.  Best to let sleeping bears lie!!!  

[Kachina624]

@jubilant   @msgb    Have you ever tried a thin coat of a body powder on your leg before pulling on your hose?  I've seen people do that to get on tight rubber gloves.  It also might make you more comfortable in hot weather. 

[Jes16]

When I had some vein work done in the office of the specialist about 5 years ago, I had to wear the medical grade compression socks for a while. I thought I was going to have a heart attack trying to put them on. I just couldn't do it. I purchased what is called a 'donner' at their office for $25. Specialists office may carry them. It was about a foot tall, but I see they all different types available at Amazon, etc. I recently purchased some Tommie Copper compression socks from QVC which are easier to put on. Have some Legacy ones, too. I have others with with open toes so you can wear with flip-flops. My legs feel SO GOOD when wearing them; I'll have to start wearing them more often. Good for every day but especially when traveling long distance, etc for circulation. Good luck!