I occasionaly get swelling to my lower legs and ankles, when I saw the Rheumatology nurse last September, she put in her notes that I have "mild pitting oedema of the lower limbs" and suggested I consider wearing compression socks, the mild swelling didn't bother me and went away so I did not think it necessary to wear the socks.
Over the past couple of days the swelling has increased. When I went to Australia about 12 months ago both lower legs were so swollen I could not see my ankles, this eventually dissapeared within a few weeks of my return to UK.
I am off to Australia for four weeks in 2 weeks time. I do not particularly want to, especially as I will be wearing shorts nearly all of the time, but should I wear compression socks?
Any advice would be very much appreciated.
I am seeing the Rheumatology Consultant next week, so would be useful to have some "knowledge" about Compression Socks when I raise the question with him.
Thank you and Happy New Year
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Golf-1
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I can’t give you any medical advice re compression socks but I will tell you this: with my pmr, I couldn’t stand compression socks for 60 seconds. I can barely stand tight socks of any kind. If you can tolerate them, then that’s a plus.
I've had it mentioned to me - and I do have a heart problem too which probably doesn't help. I have had 2 pairs prescribed - even the thought of getting them on defeats me!
And like Twopies, tight anything is extremely uncomfortable and when flying socks make it worse.
You say it is intermittent - how does it relate to being away from home and/or eating out? I use no salt at home. One meal out starts it off, by 3 my feet are like footballs. A week at home and I'm almost back to normal.
I spent a small fortune on some - but they are a failure. I have such small feet that the 36-41 size is too big when I put them on and they just stretch even further.
I love them. Any situation where I can get pooling of fluid will find me looking for my compression knee highs. This is usually long journeys, low pressure travelling like flying and hot weather. When I was on Pred, they were more on than off.
The type one can buy in the UK is only class 1 because in order to get class 2 or 3 it needs a Doppler scan to assess the circulation, not least to check that the arteries can cope with the squeeze. Some people can’t tolerate class 2 or 3, either because they are too stiff to put on or feel uncomfortable. Sometimes building up the tightness and/or the time of wearing helps. Class 1 is a good place to start and this includes flight socks. Support hosiery can come looking like thick tights or proper socks.
In your situation, why not wear them for the flight and any time you are wearing trousers. Put your feet up if possible when sitting and try to avoid standing for long periods. High salt in the can make things worse too.
Since posting my questionI have dug out my knee high flight socks, so far they feel comfortable but I will not know how effective they have been until I take them off tonight.
If OK, I will see if I can find some white ones instead of the black I have, as will look better with shorts
See how you go, but bear in mind if the swelling is severe or you are in challenging conditions , a class 1 may not be 100% effective but a good start and much better than nothing for sure.
I did not realise there was an aid, does it have a name and where might it be available to buy please? I can usually manage with ankle socks but flight socks are a bit of a challenge
There is a whole range from very simple to an amazing device that puts stockings on and off for you almost without your participation!!! This is just one, loads more on google
Sounds like you really need them for the flight and in Australia. You could consider taking them off when you go out, because you'll be more active then also, but keeping them on as much as poss 'at home'. Opinions differ about whether to keep them on at night but it may be an idea in oz if you can bear it.
I'd suggest trying to find someone to advise on the right thickness and size. There may be a nurse in your GP practice and or a pharmacy person.
The other things, sorry for repeating what you will already know, are to keep your feet and ankles moving and stretching regularly, not just on the plane but all the time;
don't sit for long times with your feet on the ground, and have sessions with your feet up as close as poss to the level of the heart.
I have been wearing compression socks and hose for at least 10 years. I wished I had known about them before because I would have worn them when I worked and traveled. I go to a vascular surgeon and he is the one who does all kinds of tests and advised me on the compression amount. Nowadays, you can get beautiful looking socks through many a website. Amazon now carries them.
My husband, on the advice of his doctor, has been wearing compression socks for years. His doctor told him he could find them at Walmart in the US. The brand is Medipeds Over the Calf Compression socks. They are sold in the pharmacy area and come 2 to a pack for around $10 USD. They are of a nylon like material and are considered mild compression and are not that hard to get on. He has worn them faithfully and they do help. We live in the southern USA, but he has gotten used to them. You can probably find them on Amazon.
I sent in a query to my GP practice today, along with my monthly Blood Pressure Tracker Record, to see if they had any concerns or advice on me wearing compression socks.
GP rang me this evening and suggested an alternative to Anlodopine for my blood pressure that she thought would help with the oedema.
When I explained that I have been taking Anlodopine without any problems for about 4 years, she decided I should stay with Anlodopine and try water tablets for 2 months to see if that sorted out the problem.
Am I going down the right road here? or should I just stick to the knee length compression socks?
You could try the water tablets and see if they help, but they are a bit inconvenient at times [for obvious reasons]. So maybe leave that experiment until you get back from Australia, and stick with the socks until then… really depends how much of an issue it is.
Update on Compression Socks, meetimg with Rheumatologist, sickness and diarrhea
After the helpfull information on compression socks, I bought, 2 pairs white knee length socks and started wearing them immediately, putting a pair on when i got up and taking them off before going to bed. bingo, after 9 days - no sign of oedema, swelling all gone !! BUT what it shows up is that my calf muscles have deteriorated in size quite considerably, this might explain why I am finding walking more difficult these days. You think you have dealt with one problem only to uncover another. 🙃
re The sickness and diarrhea, Rheumatologist compared hospital blood test results from 2 days before sickness with those taken at GP surgery 4 days after sickness, (the day before appointment), whithout hesitation he said stop taking Methotrexate until after I get back from Australia in about 5 weeks time. He arranged further blood test for Thursday, asked me to check results with Rheumatology nurse yesterday, she confirmed that Kidney and Liver numbers were just out of range, nothing to be concerned about but to have anther blood test after I return from Australia. That will be one less drug I have to explain to Australian Border Force. 🤔
The real purpose of the Rheumotolgy appontment was to follow up on our intial meeting last March when he started me on the Methotrexate route, now temporarily on hold. I explained what had ben going on in previous 9 months with 2 PMR flares, Covid, bugs etc. and he agreed I should stay on 6mg Prednisolone until after I get back from hols.
I stopped tapering and have been on 6mg for a week now and all seems OK 🤞
I am not sure what I could have done differently. I have had vitiligo for over 40 years and not really paid much attention to it after the first 5 years, by then I had lost about 75% of the melenin . I am reminded by my daughter that vitiligo is an autoimmune desease and perhaps I was particularly vulnerable to PMR, treatments and side effects, and should have been a bit more careful, as my bodies reactions to bugs and viruses are always likely to be a bit more severe.
The Rheumotologist new my history of vitiligo before starting me on Methotrexate, so I assumed it was ok, although I have read several posts where people do not get on with it.
My inkling is to discuss it with him before making any decisiion to stop it all together.
I doubt the vitiligo made the reaction worse - many people do not get on with MTX anyway even without other forms of autoimmune disease joining in. I'd say you have Golf-1 syndrome. It is time they acknowledged what has been suspected for many many years - the lines in autoimmunity and related diseases are very blurred!
Thank you both very much for your, Practical, Plain English and Straightforward answers to my many questions.
It is helpful and reassuring to get such prompt replies, I think I am ready for my holiday in the knowledge that you will still be here if I need you over the next 5 weeks.
Just be aware that without the MTX you MAY need a bit more pred so go prepared just in case. The effect of MTX does stay in the body for weeks so it may not be a problem but some notice it quicker. Have a wonderful holiday!
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