compession socks

[david0779]

hi does anybody have any advice.
my legs and feet was retaining
water so rather than take water
tablets i bought a few pairs of 20 to 30 mmhg compression socks and my legs have now gone back to normal size
so i have kept wearing them
is there any problems in wearing compression socks with diabetes 2
as it as been mentioned to me any advice grateful kind regards dave

 

[DCUKMod]

hi does anybody have any advice.
my legs and feet was retaining
water so rather than take water
tablets i bought a few pairs of 20 to 30 mmhg compression socks and my legs have now gone back to normal size
so i have kept wearing them
is there any problems in wearing compression socks with diabetes 2
as it as been mentioned to me any advice grateful kind regards dave

Frankly, that's not addressing the reason your legs are swollen. Best to go see your GP and have the matter investigated.

 

[archersuz]

Are you on any blood pressure medication? One type made my legs and ankles puffy with water so my GP changed the tablets.

 

[david0779]

oh i did went for heart check
and that was fine just given water tablets and sent on my way

 

[Deleted member 308541]

is there any problems in wearing compression socks with diabetes 2
as it as been mentioned to me

I wear Jobst UlcerCARE compression stockings which have a inner lining and a zip up outer stocking for the last four years.

I was given these as a ongoing outpatient at the Occupational Health department, as long as I have a Doppler arterial ultrasound done on both legs every year.

The Jobst stockings have helped me a great deal to help heal a hole in my right ankle that Tubegrips compression stockings had no show of doing.

The inner liners are cheap to buy from a medical supplier that I was given the address of here in Australia.

 

[Robbity]

Frankly, that's not addressing the reason your legs are swollen. Best to go see your GP and have the matter investigated.

I derfinitely agree - but all I got for my badly swollen legs was a diagnosis of oedema, a doppler test and rather expensive custom made stockings. Which work fine until taken off and then the fluid just drains back down again.

Robbity

 

[david0779]

yep same hear

 

[Deleted member 308541]

Which work fine until taken off and then the fluid just drains back down again.

yep same hear

I take the outer lining of just before I go to bed, but leave the inner lining which still has a lot of compression as well on, have had no problems doing it that way.

 

[Robbity]

I take the outer lining of just before I go to bed, but leave the inner lining which still has a lot of compression as well on, have had no problems doing it that way.

But I can't since I don't have an outer and an inner to play with...and no way can I leave them on longer than about 8-10 hours max.

Robbity

 

[Alexandra100]

hi does anybody have any advice.
my legs and feet was retaining
water so rather than take water
tablets i bought a few pairs of 20 to 30 mmhg compression socks and my legs have now gone back to normal size
so i have kept wearing them
is there any problems in wearing compression socks with diabetes 2
as it as been mentioned to me any advice grateful kind regards dave

I have never heard of a special reason for diabetics not to wear compression stockings. I have only recently realised I have a problem with my bg, but for many years I have been wearing compression stockings and I find them extremely comfortable and helpful. The only downside is the struggle to get them on in the morning. I have been advised always to take them off to sleep at night, and then put them on asap in the morning before any swelling can get the upper hand. Recently I have been struggling with a swollen ankle, cause as yet unknown, and it occurred to me to try wearing two stockings on that leg, one on top of the other. It is helping a lot.

There are several grades of compression stockings. The lightest are like flight socks, then the next up, class 2, are what I wear. I once tried the strongest, class 3, which are meant for people who have a very bad problem, and I just couldn't get them on!

I suppose there might be a problem for diabetics if the stockings were too tight at the tops and cut into the circulation. My legs did not fit any of the off the peg stockings so my doctor prescribes made to measure ones for me. I had to be measured at a chemist's. It might be worth discussing this with your GP, but be prepared for him/her to be uninformed on this topic.

Later - I have just found this relevant article: https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/right-socks-diabetes/

 

[Alexandra100]

But I can't since I don't have an outer and an inner to play with...and no way can I leave them on longer than about 8-10 hours max.

Robbity

If your compression stockings are not comfortable enough to wear all day, I think they may not fit correctly. The first time I put my made to measure ones on, I could feel my legs give a great sigh of relief and comfort. Since then, I have always wanted to wear them the maximum time possible.

 

[Brunneria]

I derfinitely agree - but all I got for my badly swollen legs was a diagnosis of oedema, a doppler test and rather expensive custom made stockings. Which work fine until taken off and then the fluid just drains back down again.

Robbity

Yep.
I got absolutely nil interest from Doc in the WHY, and was told to wear one compression stocking. lol.
Since it just rolled down with the first step, I gave up on that on day 2.

Nowadays I try various things which control the problem except on the hottest summer days:
- stay mobile
- keep hydrated
- avoid foods that cause water retention
- keep my electrolytes at the right levels
- sit on a chair with a tilted seat
- wear boots to keep my ankles compressed (far better looking than those stockings!)
- recognise that my doc thinks in terms of prescriptions rather than prevention! lol

 

[ickihun]

oh i did went for heart check
and that was fine just given water tablets and sent on my way

Me too about water balloon like tummy but it stretches my skin and pushes my lungs up and makes my asthma worse.

 

[Robbity]

If your compression stockings are not comfortable enough to wear all day, I think they may not fit correctly. The first time I put my made to measure ones on, I could feel my legs give a great sigh of relief and comfort. Since then, I have always wanted to wear them the maximum time possible.

The first set I had some years ago were measurend in our surgery disensary and I got proveided with what I assume were the closest fit. They were OK but I didn't need them much as my swollen ankes were gemerally just a hot summer weather thing. This time round I had much more serious long term issues with one leg in particulat neing hugely swollen. Someone actually came from the firm to the surgery while I had the doppler, and "supervised" the nurse who measured me up - each leg individually. The stockings were certainly comfortable to start with (though a real mnightmare to actually get on!) but didn't help all that much with the fluid so they got uncomfortable after several hours wear. Elevating my legs was actually much more helpful but again once I was upright gravity soon took over...

I've assumed that as diabetics we need to perhaps be more careful with compression stockings in case they interfere with circulation to our rather vulnerable feet - hence the doppler tests.

Robbity

 

[ickihun]

@Contralto you may be interested in this thread?

 

[ickihun]

The first set I had some years ago were measurend in our surgery disensary and I got proveided with what I assume were the closest fit. They were OK but I didn't need them much as my swollen ankes were gemerally just a hot summer weather thing. This time round I had much more serious long term issues with one leg in particulat neing hugely swollen. Someone actually came from the firm to the surgery while I had the doppler, and "supervised" the nurse who measured me up - each leg individually. The stockings were certainly comfortable to start with (though a real mnightmare to actually get on!) but didn't help all that much with the fluid so they got uncomfortable after several hours wear. Elevating my legs was actually much more helpful but again once I was upright gravity soon took over...

I've assumed that as diabetics we need to perhaps be more careful with compression stockings in case they interfere with circulation to our rather vulnerable feet - hence the doppler tests.

Robbity

I'm having to google doppler test as I don't know what it is.
What is your reversion Robbity?

Arh the ultrasound done at our yearly diabetes foot circulation test!

 

[Deleted member 308541]

I'm having to google doppler test as I don't know what it is.

Have a look here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/doppler-ultrasound/expert-answers/faq-20058452

The reason I have the ultrasound for the compression stockings is because I have a cardio vascular problem.

Arh the ultrasound done at our yearly diabetes foot circulation test!

The arterial ultra sound test starts up in the groin with a big dollop of cold gel, then they move from the groin area down the leg to the toes. Rinse and repeat on the other leg.