Compression and trousers help.

[Robinhood71]

Hi all,

Ive just found this site, great to find somewhere with real world advice from people who get it.

I have lymphoedema in both legs which then began to affect my abdominal and gential regions, I have a great therapist and between us we have worked through a few compression solutions eventually finding tights to be the answer.

I’m male so though clearly not overly impressed with the requirement to wear tights every day, but if you pardon the pun, the juice is worth the squeeze and they have been transformative with regards managing my condition. Initially we trialled off the shelf garments but given my height and requirement for full compression to the waist opted for M2M which I get on prescription through my GP.

In terms of fit and efficacy they are brilliant but all that ends as soon as I put trousers on. The fabric of the tights grab against my trousers, at best uncomfortable but I find as the day wears on they move bunching behind the knee or around the ankle which leaves red marks or causes a tourniquet effect, at home I can easily nip off and adjust but at work this is more difficult.

I’ve tried jeans/trousers with stretch and also stocking glue to hold them in place which has improved things slightly but I’m at a bit of a loss as to how to solve this. Does anyone have any top tips or suggestions on how to improve things further, or any suggestions for garments they had that seemed to work well under trousers?

Thanks all.

[DeborahS32]

no solutions just empathy. I’m female, just my right leg is symptomatic. I wear a full length made-to-measure Jobst class 3 firm stocking with a foot glove. I wear trousers a lot and have never had a problem with that. So maybe it’s worth trying out a different make/fabric? Good luck, hope you find a better option. Worth persevering. Best wishes Deborah

[Robinhood71 in reply to DeborahS32]

Thanks Deborah, I think you are right with a different make, initially I wore a thigh high garment which though it did grab seemed to stay in place that particular garment was not available in tights version. The current garments feel smooth and you would think they would be fine but act like Velcro once under my trousers.

[On_porter]

skins could be an alternative to tights for the genital area. And wear normal compression alongside. Afraid I’m at a loss on abdomen as I just hope for the best here!

Try Cos, Bound and P+Co for looser trousers that look good

[Robinhood71 in reply to On_porter]

Hi,

Thanks for the tip ref sourcing trousers I will take a look, though not Skins initially I tried sports compression shorts which was certainly my prefrence, really comfortable but just didn’t have enough squeeze in the right area.

Thanks again.

[On_porter in reply to Robinhood71]

They’re really good! also skin glue is a lifesaver to stop compression falling down!

[Hopeful100]

Hi,

I have exactly the same problem, my lymphoedema is in both thighs, genital and abdomen and find the compression pants I’ve been given so far do the same - jeans don’t work for me as they chafe my surgery and radiotherapy scars so I’m mainly wearing a wide leg trouser but am super conscious picking at myself to pull the compression pants down in public. They seem to ride up more when walking or doing any exercise which considering we’re supposed to do more of that to help is quite annoying.

Sorry I’m not more helpful apart from letting you know you’re not alone!

[Robinhood71 in reply to Hopeful100]

Thanks and whilst I don’t wish discomfort on anyone it is nice to hear that I’m not alone, I was starting to feel like Goldie locks as nothing is quite right.

I empathise and fortunately I don’t have scars to content with as well but I do get what you mean, the compression seems to defy gravity in the hip area when active and bunches, I find myself putting my hands in my pockets subtly trying to pluck them down to stop the pinching, that is of course when I’m not on the way to gents with bright pink marigold gloves to sort them out.😂

[Perido]

I wear a a second pair trousers, made of a fine silky/smooth fabric, under my 'outer' trousers to prevent the 'grabbing' effect. The second pair of trousers are actually pyjamas but no one can see them lol.

Also I often wear a looser style of trouser compared to my pre lymphoedema days.

[Robinhood71 in reply to Perido]

Hi Perido,

That’s not a bad idea to explore, years ago I worked outside and in winter found loose pyjama bottoms as an additional layer much better than the traditional mens long johns as a way of keeping warm.

Certainly looking at looser fitting trousers, I bought some loose fit cargo trousers a while ago, fitted well but the material was worse than jeans for grabbing. I haven’t got the courage yet to go shopping and try on trousers in a shop whilst wearing the compression so at the moment it’s home shopping only.

Regards

[Aitch58]

I wear M2M class 3 stockings and they give me the same problem. It drives me nuts constant pulling my trouser legs down. I would like to think there are some garments out there that have a bit less friction, but I haven’t found them. Haddenham did send me samples of their fabrics but there weren’t any in the class 3 range that were any more ‘slippy’.

Sorry not to have any answers, but boatloads of sympathy!

[Robinhood71 in reply to Aitch58]

Thanks Aitch, and I you, CCL3? That I can’t imagine. My therapist has been looking into garments with a more slippy fabric which in CCL2 there may well be more options. She has samples as well what I find tricky though is only way of really knowing is to actually wear them with your regular clothing.

I have read several articles that talk about layering compression to build up the required level, the context is usually when people have difficulty in donning the heavier compression classes. Clearly one to discuss with a therapist but given your requirement for CCL3, perhaps an option? That way you might get access to other fabrics?

[Aitch58 in reply to Robinhood71]

Ah, an interesting idea thank you. Until a month ago I couldn’t have considered that as all my footwear was already way too tight, but I now have a wonderful pair of (NHS) made-to-measure shoes so I will look into that!