Support Hose?

[susanep]

My regular doctor wanted me to get some support hose after I told her that my feet especially my toes lose sensation. I have to wear socks at night to help with that feeling. She ran sharp things across my feet, and I can feel all that. She said maybe it could be vascular. The store that measures and carries those stockings told me that Medicare will not pay for them. I have seen places on line to buy them, but I don't know how to choose the right pressure for me.

I am sorry to go on so long, but thought maybe someone on here has dealt with this.
Susanep

[meirish]

I am rather confused about this Susan. It sounds like she is talking about Jobst stockings or the ones that are special measured and ordered for people with very swollen legs from vein or lymph node issues. These are very hard to put on are they are extremely tight. I am telling you this because sometimes older people with illness do not have the strength to put them on. There is a special way  to pull them on and they are very tight.

I am going to tell you something that I have done over the years. First of all it seems like you could feel the need on your feet which is good. Ii am wondering if the problems you complain of are like a tingling, funny numbness that occurs but you can still feel some sensation. A lot of these creepy, crawly symptoms that we get in our feet and hands are a neuropathy type thing that can really drive us crazy.

Years ago I went through several years of this type of issues and sleeping was really hard. MY lower legs and feet would burn, and have all these weird sensation and on top of that my feet and legs would ache so much. I finally got myself TED hose or those white surgical stockings that one wears in the hospital and I wore them at night. They kept my legs and feet warm and the pressure they gave seemed to sort of relieve the bad symptoms. I would have to take a tylenol or something at bedtime a lot of the time and that helped also. I would also use an electric blanket and that warmth when I first went to bed really helped ease my issues.

During the day I bought the knee high support hose that Pennys carried in those day and that made like of my feet much better. I was working at the time. You can buy those support and surgical hose on line. Maybe your son and daughter in law could help you. They are so much cheaper and you can buy a couple of pair after you find the right size so you can wash them often. Do a lot of searching on line as so many  places with different types of support knee his. Anyone have suggestions for Susan please leave the address.

This is not a medical diagnosis by any means but those Jobst stockings are so spendy and hard to put on that maybe it would be wise to try a cheaper way first. Right now I have miserable neuropathy in my hands that is all of the strange feeling that come and seem to increase until it drives me up a wall. I finally broke down and bought some of the black compression gloves that they sell at Walmart, They are up in the isle in front my one of the cash registers and cost 20.00 and have some copper in them. Low and behold these gloves helped. Did not cure the pain and discomfort but made life more livable and it kept me from needing pain medication. There are ways we can come up with that can help without spending an arm and a leg.

Hope you can come up with something. When I first started with some of my feet issues just wearing plain stockings to bed to keep my feet warm helped a lot. Good luck. meirish

[susanep]

irish you have helped a lot. I wasn't sure what you call them, but I would rather start with something like regular support hose.. I will look for those and then go from there. I have the aching legs too, and have to take something before going to sleep. I want an electric blanket before this next winter. We had used this warmer electric mattress warmer my mom had gave us before she died, but it finally quit working last year.

I eat really healthy now days and I am losing weight.

You have always encouraged me. Your name comes up a lot when I am talking to my husband. I can see how you help so many on this forum.
Everyone trying to help each other.  Imagine if our whole world lived like this.

Bless you.
susanep

[meirish]

Glad the info helped you out. If the electric blankets are too speedy...they have gone up....you might come across the smaller electric blankets that are like an afghan or lap pad around 40 inches by 40 etc. I had one years ago and it fit over my legs, feet and came about up to my waist and was very helpful. I don't know if they are being made anymore. Usually made out of a flannel material. Hopefully you can find one as that would help a lot at night. Good luck. Take care. meirish

[susanep]

I did finally get me some of the regular supportive hose on amazon.They help a lot. I think it is peripheral neuropathy. I did have an ultrasound of my legs, and they were ok. I have many things go on due to lupus, sjogrens, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia. Everyday is very interesting. I am getting ready next week to turn 70, and I am thrilled to know I have reached that age with all that goes on.
Susanep

[meirish]

Susan, I have not been on this site for a couple months at least. I came back today and found your post and could relate to it very quickly. Glad you found some supportive hose. I don't wear them now, but had a couple years where had a lot of pain and funny things going on and the knee high support hose helped me a lot during the day, especially when I worked. I would wear the white knee high sock we get in the hospital at night as they had the open areas on the feet that were less restrictive.
My legs are better now....have not clue what it was but glad it is better. Now the neuropathy that I have is in my hands and I wear the black support gloves you can buy at Walmart and they help a lot.

I get what you mean about age. I turned 80 in January and I can't believe I am still alive with all my ailments. I have outlived both my parents. Have a good summer. I hear it is to be very hot summer. Take care. meirish