HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

My experience with compression socks

Support Forums
>
Fibromyalgia
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/13/2016 11:59 AM (GMT 0)
A few years ago, I wanted to try compression socks to see if they'd help my feet and legs feel better.

Unfortunately, the only thing they did was to make my feet cramp up painfully! But for some reason, I still kept a pair around.

After dealing with tired, achy legs this Spring and Summer and having a not-so-great year of walking, I decided to give the compression socks a second look---with a slight twist. I cut off the foot part, and only put the "sleeve" of the socks on my legs.

I didn't notice much change at all at first--they just felt tight! But after a few weeks of wearing them during the day, I noticed I no longer got the achiness in my legs! And I wouldn't wake up at night with sore legs.

I've been wearing them a couple of months now, and not only do my legs feel better in general; they also seem to be helping prevent leg cramps. My feet are still not fantastic, though they do feel better, and I can actually move fairly fast around the house for the first time in a long, long time. I've found I'm accomplishing more, as far as housecleaning and related. That sure feels good!

Will this go on? I don't know. I'm curious as to how the cold winter months will play out. But I'm going to definitely keep wearing those sock 'sleeves'! I'm now on the lookout for compression socks with open toes. I just got a Dream Products catalog yesterday, and they have 'tons' of compression socks of various kinds, so I'll have to check for open-toed ones.

I know this isn't for everyone; just my experience, and for certain medical conditions you'd have to check with your doctor (diabetes, I believe, for one), but so far, those compression 'sleeves' are doing a super job. My legs actually feel GOOD.

Just wanted to share. :-) yeah
Posted 10/13/2016 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
This is great! I'm glad you found something to help. It's also good to massage your legs. It gets blood flowing and oxygen to the muscles which helps with the pain and possibly cramping. I have varicose veins on one leg due to pressure from a large, inoperable hernia, and massaging brings the veins down and stops the pain.

Sherrine
Posted 10/14/2016 4:29 AM (GMT 0)
They do sell open toe socks. I used to own a pair.
Posted 10/22/2016 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
My doctor just recommended compression socks yesterday due to swelling in my feet and ankles. I found some at Walmart (only thing open by the time I got around to it) and they had some open toe ones.
Posted 10/22/2016 4:43 AM (GMT 0)
when ya can, try with no socks on. just as good, if not better than compression. former TED user.
Posted 10/24/2016 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
Luvz,

I'm so glad you found something to help! Have you got your hands on any open-toed ones yet?

After my lumbar disc rupture 4 1/2 years ago, I had some swelling in my ankles, so I tried compression socks and couldn't handle them at all (anything tight sends me into fits.)

But reading your story got me wondering...my legs get so tingly and so WEAK-feeling by afternoon. It's an awful feeling, in some ways worse than the pain. As though my legs could give out any minute.

So maybe I'll give them another try. Thanks for the idea! :)

Debbie
Posted 10/24/2016 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
Debbie, I'd try massaging the legs. Your circulation migh not be getting plenty of oxygen to the legs.

Sherrine
Posted 10/24/2016 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
That's a good idea, Sherrine. I'll have to try it!

Debbie
Posted 10/24/2016 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
When you massage your lower legs, massage then rub the legs up toward your heart. A lot of people push down. Then massage the area behind your knee since there are "valves" there that help keep the blood flowing. Repeat several times and then move on to the other leg. Also, when sitting, keep your legs up so the blood does t "pool around your ankles and feet.

This was taught to me by my massage therapist and it works. I do this for bulging varicose veins and they flatten out and don't hurt, too.

And the compression stockings can't hurt. I have a friend who wears them every day and she is 75 years old and has beautiful legs...no varicose veins! But I can't stand to wear them. I had to wear them in the hospital and do have a pair of open toed ones that they sent me home with but I don't wear them. Never liked nylons either. 😬

Sherrine
Posted 10/25/2016 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, everyone. Good suggestions!

Debbie: I haven't yet bought any open-toed socks yet, but thanks to posters on this thread, I'll be finding some soon. :)

The compression socks do take a little time to get used to them, but now I wear them all day, and they're pretty comfy. It may sound funny, but they seem to give my legs a little more support, as in helping them to feel a little stronger, because of them clinging to my legs (warmer, too!). A little hard to describe what I mean, but if you start to wear them for a few days, I think you'll see what I mean.

Thanks for the massage advice, too, Sherrine. Good to know! I appreciate all the posts here.

Also, welcome to the forum, dmb124. I see you're a newbie. This is a great forum and I think you'll enjoy it here! :-)
Posted 11/2/2016 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
I prefer the thigh high compression stockings, open toe is nice, but I like the closed toe too. 20-30 compression works well for me. summers are a little warm for a couple months, but tolerable. Honestly, I love the feeling my legs have wearing them. I have more energy and they comfort me.
Posted 11/2/2016 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome, Afriendinme! I think you'll like this forum. :) Did you check out the very first thread listed on this forum---Fibro 101? Lots of good, helpful advice.

Thanks for posting here. I appreciate the info about the thigh high compression stockings--something I have wanted to check out. I also appreciate any advice on 'the number' of compression, as that part is new to me! I'm not at all familiar with how the numbers affect the compression.

Somewhere, maybe in the Dream Products catalog(??), I saw some compression socks that they said worked well for the warmer months. If I come across it again, I'll post on it.

I think I'll try the closed toe again. When I first tried them, I'd just get foot cramping, but maybe after having worn the compression socks (or 'sleeves') a few months, that will hopefully improve.

I agree--I, too, have more energy when I wear them, and then seem to make my legs feel more sturdy and not so wimpy. I can actually move around in the house fairly quickly again! And so far, they also seem to keep the achiness at bay. Definitely going to keep wearing them, and I think I'll try some new kinds and continue to experiment.

Thanks again and best wishes. :-)
Posted 11/3/2016 11:26 AM (GMT 0)
I did find the 'cooler' compression socks in the Dream Products catalog. I'm sure you could find them online, too. They're called "Cooling Compression Socks" and are $16.99. It says they are made of nylon, Lycra, cooling yarn and cotton.
Posted 11/9/2016 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi , I wear the tommie copper compression socks. They help alot with night so I don't wake up earlier with achy feet and ankles. I do wear them during the day too. Just depends on the pain that day. I'm glad it's helping you too!
Posted 11/8/2017 7:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I bought compression stockings from dynamic techno medicals, Aluva, Kerala. I used Comprezon Varicose Vein Stockings after the doctor's prescription due varicose vein. It was very helpful for me. It is available in cotton-rich and keeps us comfortable in hot weather.

Hi, and welcome! I took the link out because links selling products is not allowed on healing well.

Sherrine

Post Edited By Moderator (Sherrine) : 11/8/2017 10:14:57 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/8/2017 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi when i was having an ankle issue, i needed more support and had my daughter get me the ones called the foot angel..

They are black , and have the open toe..

Recently hubby had some ankle swelling and the masseuse had him doing the foot pumping exercise , you do it sitting..and it improved his circulation, so no more swelling

Just some thought,

Not on as much this week cause wow..i have painters all over the house! It ran late! Its like a mini move but was over due.
Posted 11/8/2017 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies!

I'm still using the compression sock "sleeves" and they do help. I've yet to buy a pair of open-toed compression socks, though I believe Dream Products do carry them now (yes, I know--I'm very pokey about getting things done at times....).

I appreciate the source info, Santhi. Always good to know there are other places to look.

Good luck with the painting, Lj. I bet it'll feel great once the work is done. Very worth it! smile
Posted 6/25/2019 12:33 PM (GMT 0)
I found this about compression stockings.

Unlike traditional dress or athletic stockings and socks, compression stockings use stronger elastics to create significant pressure on the legs, ankles and feet. Compression stockings are tightest at the ankles and gradually become less constrictive toward the knees and thighs. By compressing the surface veins, arteries and muscles, they force circulating blood through narrower channels. As a result, the arterial pressure is increased, which causes more blood to return to the heart and less blood to pool in the feet.

Sherrine
Posted 6/26/2019 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
Several years ago I ended up in TEDS, the leg swelling was horrible & painful. I was sent to a medical supply with a script to be fitted. It was winter & I had no problem except taking them on & off, lol. Worse than any girdle in my mind. When summer came around I had to stop wearing them, the summer temps here in Tx can be brutal. I have to get outside, I cannot be cooped up in a house.

The following winter by accident I found some knee high compression type socks at the drug store and wore them all winter. If I remember right these were mens & I bought small which worked fine. I had a friend that was making a long trip on a plane & I suggested he check them out. He bought some & wore them with great results.

There are so many kinds available now, it's a matter of finding which works the best for a person.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply