I mean really, if I have to wear compression stockings for life do they have to be ugly?
Tired, aching legs occur when the blood flow slows down in the legs. Nurses have worn white support hose, or compression stockings, for over 50 years. Athletes, long flight travelers and anyone on their feet or sitting for many hours at a time could benefit from wearing them. Compression stockings create significant pressure on the legs, ankles and feet compressing the surface veins, arteries and muscles so the circulating blood is forced 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.
Last summer, after the fire, I was sick and having trouble with my feet and ankles swelling. After a battery of tests that were all within ‘normal’ parameters the swelling went away. I was happy with that and forgot about it.
Other than when I fly overseas and always land with swollen feet even wearing compression stockings—known as Economy Class Syndrome—and trying to move around and exercise, not an easy thing to do when I choose a window seat so have to crawl over at least one person. So I only wore the compression stockings when needed.
Well about a month ago my feet and ankles swelled like balloons. Remember, I’m on my feet for 10 hours a day when working. I went to the Kanab Clinic 85 miles away in Utah, the closest option, and went through another battery of tests. Results say I have a strong heart, good blood pressure, no blood clots, and good arteries, but I have lousy veins thus poor circulation. I do have varicose veins which I’m sure to have inherited from my Dad. Mom had edema so there’s another factor for water retention. The PA I saw recommended I wear compression stockings every day, all day.
What size and how much compression?
I guessed at first and stupidly bought cheap low-to-no compression at Walgreens which were entirely useless. Compression is expressed in mmHg (millimeters of mercury). Whatever that means. The higher the mmHg, the stronger the gradient compression: 8-15 mmHg – Mild Compression, 15-20 mmHg – Moderate Compression, 20-30 mmHg – Firm Compression, 30-40 mmHg – Extra Firm Compression. I use firm compression pantyhose style when flying but find them too much otherwise so wear knee high moderate for every day wear.
I learned not to take them off immediately upon getting home, like my bra (another story), as then my feet and legs itched terribly with the change in blood flow. Elevating feet above the heart is a good idea. So I take them off just before going to bed.
I thought good hiking socks at $6-12/pair was expensive. These are not cheap at $25-65/pair. Good thing they’re sturdy so can be either hand-washed nightly or bagged and machine washed. Watch the material content if you have problems with latex.
How to measure yourself. For knee highs measure circumference of ankle and widest part of calf then height from floor to one finger width below back of knee. For thigh high add circumference of thigh and height from floor to bottom of buttocks. Then use charts provided at sites that sell compression stockings. I’m wearing women’s small.
Putting them on and off
If the directions say to roll the the socks down to the toes and insert foot don’t bother. Talked to a friend that wears them and thank goodness because after I bought two pairs of Jobst at a real medical store in Flagstaff the directions on the package for putting them on and taking them off caused a lot of pain. My friend instructed me to fold the top over the bottom with just the toes showing then slide foot into them and pull up the top. Much easier. And do the same thing in reverse to take them off. Rolling them down just put too much pressure on my swollen feet.
Why so ugly?
Being like a heavy nylon stocking in beige, white, taupe, navy and black they are rather ugly. Not bad to wear under pants and even with another pair of socks over if shoes are big enough. A long dress isn’t too bad. But what about with shorts? I found a few very colorful patterns online, but for $20/pair the reviews aren’t the best and one company’s pretty patterns have a very ugly seam that breaks up the pattern. Call me picky and blame my mother the seamstress. Besides, who wants seamed socks?
Standard ugly & colorful. Which would you choose?
Was really excited when I found the colorful choices offered by Sockwell and ordered two pairs through Amazon. They’re made with a blend of Merino wool, bamboo and spandex. And they are made in the USA.
So now I’m wearing compression stockings for life and no more swollen feet and legs. In fact they are quite comfortable except for a little warm on a hot day. Do you wear compression stockings or think maybe you need to?
I am not endorsing any specific company nor receiving any compensation. But I did figure I’m not the only person that needs to wear compression stockings for life. So why should they be ugly?
I have however been very happy with the Sockwell products which you can purchase at Amazon by clicking the link below.
Sockwell
Geogypsy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Purchases cost you nothing additional but do put a few cents in my gas tank. Thank you.
With your audience some hiking gear company could easily sponsor you a couple of good pairs for some exposure.
I thought of that Jonker. Just don’t have much luck with pitching companies. Guess I should try again.
Very Interesting Gaelyn! Thanks for all the research! I will follow your lead! Can’t always respond to your articles but love love love reading them!! Missing you friend!
Worth checking into especially for your runs. Glad you like the articles and like to see you comment. Miss you too. When are you coming to the canyon?
Jobst only make skin colour and black here and I wear both but they are $50 a pair here and when worn daily, tend to wear out quickly. To give them longer life, I usually wear other socks over them. No matter how unpleasant they are to wear or how uncompromising visually, they do prevent legs ulcerating and swelling. I have worn them for a number of years now and will have to do so to the end of my days.
WOW, $50/pair. That’s ridiculous. They do make my legs feel good but I’m going to keep hunting for prettier ones.
One of my brothers has to wear them – so I am forwarding this post to him. Maybe he can get more stylish ones too!
There are options, but some don’t really seem to offer true compression.
Good for you. I wore compression stockings when I was pregnant, but not since. I do long hauls, and like window seats. I squeeze my calves and flex my legs constantly…. Looks like you made a good choice with those stockings.
Even with sit down exercise and stockings, on a long flight my feet still swell. Thank goodness I’m finding some pretty ones.
I do not wear compression socks although I like the feel of a firm sock up over the calf so maybe I should try them. But, as you said they are expensive. I did just a little looking on-line and found some patterned ones at RejuvaHealth. They even had some that were shear for those times that you are stepping out and want to show some leg.
You might like them. Sockwell is having a sale at $20/pair, at least some of the women’s styles. I looked at RejuvaHealth before but will check them out again. I really don’t do much ‘stepping out’ but do like to wear dresses with sandals once in a while.
I’ve not worn them, but it’s good to know there are more colorful options out there. That would certainly be my choice.
Nina
Yea, if I have to wear the dang things I want pretty.
I’ve seen lots of runners wearing them the past couple years. But then runners wear a lot of things like the so called “arm panties” popular amond trail runners. I can see where they might help. I don’t think that I have any problems (yet) that require them.
I hope you never do need to wear them but they sure are helping me. And I’m not a runner.
Leave it to us baby boomers to refuse to settle for the ugly sox. Good for you for looking around. Your poor feet look so sad in that picture. You could have a lot worse things you have to do for the rest of your life than compression sox. Can’t wait to see the really stylish ones you find. I don’t know how I’d ever get them to go over my huge calves. David wore them in the hospital
Yup, I like pretty. I know health could be worse and now that I have an answer to the swelling I am grateful.
Wow – those are some swollen feet, Gaelyn. I’ve had vein surgery and had to wear the compressions for awhile. I don’t find them comfortable. At this moment in time, I don’t seem to need them – thank goodness. (I do like the snazzy Sockwell ones.) I try to elevate my legs for a couple hours before bed – that really helps with swelling.
I’m OK with comfort if I don’t over compress. Elevation is good.
Sounds like a company needs to get on that and stop make ugly stockings. i do like the ones that you have in the last pic. Pretty nice. I’ve heard of them before but just never considered wearing them out in the field. It sounds really interesting…..but for here, way too hot!!! I was thinking maybe something with birds on them…..like Sandhill Cranes…..OR in your case, CA Condors!
Maybe I need to push a company into “compression stockings for birders” because you are on your feet a lot. But legs aren’t big enough for a condor. 😉
Next Saturday, public release at Vermilion Cliffs.
They are not nicer in Europe….
Thks for the tips.
Sorry to hear that.
They really are ugly! Someone could make a lot of money designing fashionable ones!
After much searching I have found some pretties from Sockwell, but they’re not cheap.
This is a super useful article and one tidbit I found most interesting was the itching you mentioned when you take the socks off. I’ve had that sort of thing before but not thought much about it.
I have also had on and off again badly swollen feet but haven’t yet tried compression stockings. Looks like it’s time to suck it up for the plane and count my blessings I don’t have to wear them all the time.
Glad you found this useful. Athletes frequently wear them and usually in neon colors. Thanks for coming by.
This was an interesting article. I don’t have to wear compression socks as yet, although have some I wear on long flights. Seems to me there would be a market for attractive compression socks.
Thanks Donna. Consider yourself lucky. If I was more of an artist and entrepreneur I’d design some attractive ones.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience and providing all this information. I’m going to make sure my husband reads it…he wears them during flights. As I recollect, his were prescribed by a physician and were partially reimbursed by insurance.
Thanks for that tip about the insurance. Never even thought to ask.
Nice piece, Gaelyn, and helpful. One thing I love about being part of the Baby Boomers generation: by our sheer numbers, we have driven the market since the day we were born. The world has catered to us. I imagine you would not have been able to find ANY pretty ones 10 years ago. And now that more and more of us will be needing them, I also imagine that in the next few years a lot more attractive designs will become available, and the price will also likely go down. They can’t ignore us. We are the elephant in the room! And we roar!
Glad you liked this Donna. Agree that in the past I wouldn’t have found anything more than Nurse’s white. I like being an elephant!
Isn’t it wonderful that compression stockings are available to solve this problem?
Oh yea, because otherwise I’d be miserable without them.
Your tip about putting on the compression stockings is very practical and much easier to do than my (old) way! I’ve worn compression socks several timeas on long flights and bus rides and they’ve been so difficult to put on! Now that you’ve suggested an easier way I’ll have to buy some more attractive ones for future travel.
So glad I had someone to show me this simple trick. Since this post I’ve bought a couple more pairs of “pretty” socks.
I’ve often wondered about compression socks for flying, thanks for the info.
I wore compression socks for flying long before I had to start wearing them all them time. They are great for long hauls.
Very educational and important message…plus you found colorful socks!!
Thanks Marilyn. And now I’ve bought more of them.
Hi Gaelyn,
I’m a male 54, I have been wearing compression pantyhose ( Ames Walker Style 33 Beige 20-30 compression ) for several years do to Chronic Venous Insufficiency. I later had a few episodes of weakness in my right arm. Then after several test it was decided I had a 2 TIA’s and I was diagnosed with Factor II Leiden Genetic Mutation, also known as Prothrombin 20210a ( a blood clotting disorder ). Previously I never wore them with shorts, but after I was diagnosed I decided I was going to be comfortable, and haven’t turned back since. In doing so I try to promote blood clot awareness. The hose I’m describing are the sheerest 20-30 compression pantyhose on the market, and are bearable during Summer time. I wear everyday from the time I shower in the morning till I go to bed a night. I just wanted to offer my experience to others that might be in the same situation that it’s ok to wear everywhere openly and not be ashamed.
Thanks for sharing Terry. At first I was more conscious about them but I’ve found some pretty ones now that are also very comfortable.
Gaelyn
Thank you for a well written piece. I was a runner in my younger days. Between all the mileage of running more than 35 years as well as a family history of osteoarthritis, I had both my knees replaced in 2012, 9 months apart.
It was after the 2ND replacement, my right knee where my entire leg swelled. My surgeon said I need to wear compression hose 15-20 mhg. And that I need to wear full leg hosiery, either stockings or waist high pantyhose to treat the edema or CVI. Also have varicose veins.
I have been wearing athletic compression socks or sleeves when working out and full leg hosiery at work under my trousers. Sometimes in the summer I wear compression shorts or underwear from Solidea under my regular shorts. But the shorts cost more than $80, and they dont reduce swelling as good as hose. Most of the time it’s thigh highs and pantyhose, usually sheer, but opaque too, since my job at work requires sitting at my desk. At first I tried regular hosiery , but that didn’t work well. I now have about 14 pairs of compression hosiery, and plan to get more. I’m 57 and my wife a medical professional says it’s likely I will have to wear compression the rest of my life. So I agree. Might as well make the best of it. It beats taking drugs or medications. I’m able to be active again cycling, swimming, walking and dancing with my wife. I have only worn hose with my shorts in public twice. Once on a trip out of town, and at night to get gas for my car. I will try and wear more in public as I build confidence. Seeing Terry’s comment helps. Thank you again.