I’m really sorry you are having such a struggle, and I think you have done the right thing taking the compression stockings off, it sounds as if they were causing damage, not to say pain.
There are two types (Or more) of oedema, lymphoedema which is accumulation of fluid, and lipodoema, which is accumulation of fat, but can’t be shifted by diet and exercise. Lipodoema has been around for ages, but not recognised by most health care professionals. (Blank looks and/or that doesn’t exist ) Their usual response is go away and loose weight. But that is changing and there was NICE report in early 2022 about it,recognising it’s existence.
Lymphoedema is fluid swelling and has lots of causes.
There are a lot of nurse led NHS clinics which deal with both, so one would think that they would be able to tell the difference. Googling lymphoedema lipodoema together will bring them up .There are quite a few in Scotland, but I’m not sure whereabouts you are.
If there is one near you it might help if you could get referred, or possibly self refer.
.thinking of you.
Margaret