Compression socks

[JCZW]

I have lupus sle and am suffering with swollen ankles and legs, which is making it difficult for me to walk.Last week the community nurse came to my house to carry out a doppler test on my feet and legs. The outcome of this was that I have to wear compression socks all the time to help with circulation.

She issued a prescription for these. When I picked them up there are 3 socks in the pack apparently on the NHS you are only allowed 6 socks. I have to wait 6 more weeks to get the other 3.

As you can imagine that's ridiculous.

I've looked on line to see if I can buy them but am struggling to find 10mmg in 2XL.

I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Chris21]

Hi, Are you sure you should only have 3 socks? If you are wearing them on both feet you should have 4. i can order new ones every 6 months. i would check with the GP or the nurse that your prescription is correct.

you can buy them, but they are not cheap.

[JCZW in reply to Chris21]

Morning Chris21Thank you for your reply. I was surprised to get 3 socks when she told me I had to wear them on both legs.

She is ringing me on Thursday so I will check with her then.

[KnitSewPurl]

If your feet are swollen , the best thing is to elevate them when you are sitting down and when you are laying down use an extra pillow for your legs to elevate your feet it will help with the fluid retention. Compression stockings are ment for certain purposes they sometimes cause more damage than good. Even when my father in-law had swelling in his foot post surgery I got him to elevate his feet through out brought the swelling down eventually. .

Also if you have extensive swelling on both feet do let your consultant know about it. It also means one of your organs are not functioning very well.

Take care have a good week

Xx

[JCZW in reply to KnitSewPurl]

Morning knitsewpurlMany thanks for your reply. I do have severe osteoarthritis in my feet which I think is alot of why they are swelling.

I will definitely get in touch with the lupus nurse and see what they have to say.

Hope you are keeping as well as you can with this forever giving condition.

Xx

[Poshcards]

I was told by my rheumy not to wear compression socks! x

[JCZW in reply to Poshcards]

Thank you for that .x

[BeeManShrop]

Hello JCZW If you have high blood pressure and are being treated with Amlodipine this can also cause swollen ankles as a side effect. I was prescribed compression socks but I felt they were more hassle than they were worth. However, I still have trouble in that an ordinary pair of socks tend to cause deep indents where the elastic has dug into my leg -- these itch a great deal.

I too find that raising my legs does give some relief.

I have recently found some socks that are for diabetics called IOMI -- these have a "gentle grip" that does not dig into my legs. So far they seem to be OK and are very comfortable.

Hope this helps & good luck

[JCZW in reply to BeeManShrop]

Hi BeeManShrop

Many thanks for your response. I do have high blood pressure but am only taking bendroflumethiazide. I had amlodipine but had averse reaction to it.

The nurse rang me last week to check how I was getting on with the compression socks after telling her how painful they were to wear she has told me not to wear them.

Currently waiting for the gp to ring me.

The hot weather is causing more swelling and pain so having to rest much of the time.

I have also been in touch with my lupus nurse so hopefully get some answers.