Tag Archives: stockings

How to Care for your Compression Garment

Compression garments are probably one of the most important aspects of lymphedema management; when you take care of your garment you are taking care of your lymphedema, and therefore cleaning your garment is something you should do on a daily basis. Try to make it a part of your routine!

When you clean your garment, you are not only cleaning it for the sake of cleanliness but also to maintain its compression. It’s common for the elastic to stretch after about twelve hours of wear – common yet no good for your affected limb, as the lax compression can cause lymphatic fluid to pool. By washing regularly, you are strengthening the elastic and restoring your compression, and you’re able to get the most out of your garment. Remember that frequent washing won’t harm the garment, but improper care will.

So – what is the best way to clean your garment? (The following information is from the ever-informative LymphedemaBlog.com)

Hand Wash

Fill a bowl, bucket, sink, or small tub with water and dip your compression garment into it, to dampen. Add a small amount of cleaning solution and allow the garment to soak for a few minutes, then gently rub the fibers of the garment together (be careful not to stretch them excessively). Empty the tub and then refill with clean water; rinse the garment thoroughly, especially along the seams. When finished, gently squeeze the compression garment to remove excess water.

Machine Wash

It’s recommended to put your garment in a mesh laundry bag in order to protect the fabric during the washing cycle (use the gentle cycle!). Water temperature may range between cool and warm, but should not be colder than 86 degrees Fahrenheit, or warmer than 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Darker colored garments should be washed in cool water.

Cleaning Solutions

Mild soaps or detergents should be used, free of bleach, chlorine, fabric softeners, and other laundry additives; harsh cleaning agents, solvents, petroleum-based cleaners, etc. can destroy the thin fibers of compression garments. Some manufacturers offer washing solutions formulated specially for compression garments, and these are recommended to help extend the life of your garment.

Drying

If using a dryer, the dial should be set on a no-heat (maximum low-heat) air drying cycle because excessive heat exposure may weaken or even damage the elastic fibers of the garments. If your garment has a silicone band, the no-heat dryer setting will help to protect this material.

When garments are air-dried, it is important not to excessively pull, squeeze, or wring out the residual water from the garment. Rolling up the compression garment in a towel and gently squeezing the towel before laying them out to dry speeds up the drying process (note: garments should never be left rolled up in a towel).

Whether garments are line-dried or laid flat to dry, exposure to direct sunlight should be avoided and the garment should be turned inside out. It is recommended to place a towel on a drying rack and then laying the garment on top to dry. If hanging the garment directly on a rack or pole to drip dry, the weight of the water could stretch the stockings, causing them to fit improperly.

For more information about why compression garments require such special care, check out the Lymphedema Blog.

My garments are in!

After three weeks of wrapping, my garments have come in: I’m now the proud owner of a brand-new Mediven stocking and a Solaris Tribute nighttime garment. Wahoo!

I’ve had both open- and closed-toe stockings before but I didn’t find either to be particularly comfortable, so I decided to go a different route with my new one. I’ve never had a stocking quite like this – I love my new Mediven! My new Medi is closed-toe but each toe is separately enclosed, with sort of a “toe socks” aesthetic. Having each toe separate gives it that much more individual compression, which I need because my toes and forefoot are my most affected areas. It’s super comfy, too – the team at GBMC and Caring Touch Medical did a great job measuring me for a custom fit. I’m looking forward to ordering these in a couple more colors when I go for my follow up appointment next week.

For nightwear, I got a Solaris Tribute. I’ve had a Tribute before and so I’m already pretty used to it, although my new one is a little different: it’s colorful! Solaris offers the Tribute in a small variety of colors now – a simple pleasure for us lymphies – and I got mine in a pretty shade of navy blue with two different sleeves: one jade green, and one red. I also got a set of toecaps to wear at nighttime for some extra compression. So far so good although I’ve been taking it off in the middle of the night, in my sleep. Not quite sure what that’s about but I think after a few more nights of wearing it I’ll get adjusted to the new fit!

I’ve been really consistent about wearing my stockings these past couple months, and getting new ones is strengthening my resolve to continue doing so. If I am able to wear my garment and have my leg wrapped during summer – the most difficult season for lymphies – then I can keep it up during the fall and winter!

What types of garments do you have? Which ones do you prefer?

Yesterday’s Overdue Appointment

I feel so fortunate to live near a lymphedema clinic, especially one as personable and competent as GBMC’s. My appointment yesterday went really well: they said that I had done a good job maintaining my swelling since my last visit three years ago, and that made me feel a lot more confident about my ability to take care of myself. I truly have made a daily effort to wear my garments and to have that recognized is super encouraging!

I met with a nurse, a doctor, and a lymphedema therapist, and between the four of us it was decided I’d start a physical therapy program where, in addition to the physical therapy itself, the therapist will be wrapping my leg in tight bandages each day for about a month. This process (“wrapping”) will allow for smaller measurements and a garment with tighter, more effective compression.

I’m excited to get this started; I did wrapping three years ago but am definitely overdue and in need of another new garment. I start sometime next week – hooray! Although I’m not relishing the idea of wearing layers of bandages in 90+ degree weather, I know it’s going to help me a lot in the long run.

What’s your experience with physical therapy and wrapping?

It has begun..

The warm weather, that is.

Where I live in Vermont, it has crawled into the 70s and 80s already. Yesterday, I got my first sunburn! Has nature forgotten that it’s only MARCH? Yikes.

Today, though, I’m prepared: I donned my compression garments, put on a pair of linen pants, and a light top. I’m a little nervous about how I’ll feel after a couple of days of this heat, because the stockings make my legs even hotter and more uncomfortable – it’s sort of a vicious cycle, isn’t it? – but my health has to come before comfort. (At least that’s what I keep telling myself.)

Last year in Vermont, we got snow in May, so here’s to hoping there’s a few more days of chilly weather before summer stays for good..!

Has it begun warming up where you live? What are you doing to beat the heat?

Rain, rain, go away

It’s been raining for what feels like days, and I’m starting to get a little bored of it. However, I got these really cute rain boots from South Moon Under last month, and love having an excuse to wear them. They’re so bright and cheerful! They’re also roomy enough that I am able to wear my compression garments and still be comfortable. I’ve gotten a couple compliments on them, too, which brightens even the rainiest of days.

Aside from parading around Burlington in my cheery boots, I’ve been whiling away my rainy days with a good book, lots of Law and Order: SVU, and schoolwork. I’m in my second week of classes now and back in the rhythm of college life. Feels good, man!

Since it’s a little cooler, I’ve been a lot better about wearing my garments on a daily basis. When I take them off, though, I can’t help but feel a little disappointed: my legs don’t look any different. I thought wearing my garments more regularly and for days at a time would do something to the swelling, but it usually looks about the same. Do any of you have a similar experience? Do you feel disheartened, or does it not phase you? I want to be happy that I’m taking more control and managing my lymphedema better, but there’s still that corner of my heart that is begging for it to go away, and hoping that these good habits will pay off. But that’s just it – it’s managing the lymphedema, not fixing it or making it go away. Just another hard truth we lymphies must face, I suppose..

On that note, I hope you’re all doing well, and staying dry!
Much love always xx

PS: Please, please, please donate to the Lymphatic Research Foundation! The minimum donation is $5, and even that can make a huge difference for their funding. Click here to donate, and I will send out good vibes to the universe to thank you!!