Stroke Survivor Blog

The doctor gave us a prescription for thigh high compression stockings to help keep the swelling down in Steve’s legs, feet and ankles. The edema is a result of an overload of fluid from the congestive heart failure.  If I press with my thumb on the calf of his leg, it feels soft and squishy leaving a white imprint that lasts for about 15-20 seconds. Even though he is taking Lasix (a diuretic), the swelling doesn’t completely go away. This problem started only two weeks ago, so it appears that his condition is worsening.

The doctor wants me to weigh Steve every couple of days. If his weight dramatically climbs 2-3 punds I should call him right away because fluid retention is causing the weight gain. It’s hard to regulate Steve’s diet and salt intake. He’s a man who loves to eat. I never really watched the sodium content of packaged foods before, and I am amazed at how much salt there is in everything. He should be staying at or below 2000 mg of salt per day, which equals to 1 teaspoon.

The thigh-high compression stockings sold at most medical supply stores are very expensive for 20-30mmHg firm compression, which cost about $85-$99. Lower compression and shorter stockings are much less expensive. Shopping online is about the same plus extra for shipping. There were some contraindications noted with the Jobst for Men brand that people who have either Ischemia or Congestive Heart Failure should not wear them. After checking with the doctor, he said it was okay. But I’d like to hear if others experienced problems with them. Wearing thigh-high stockings in the middle of summer is not going to feel very comfortable. Our Medicare/insurance will not pay for the 20-30mmHg compression strength, so I don’t want to pay that much money and then not have Steve use them.

I originally thought compression stockings were the same as the white TEDS Steve wore in the hospital. But they are completely different, and they don’t roll down and cut off the circulation below the knee like the TEDS do.