How to deal with itching from TED stockings

Hi Melody

I managed to keep mine on for 6 days!! They annoyed me more than the pain. I figured as I was on blood thinning drugs and I was very active my risk of clots was minimal. 

BUT I couldn’t possibly recommend you ditch yours, bu I know lots on here didn’t wear them for the ‘recommend’ time.

Wishing you a speedy recovery x

Oh me too. Personally, I think TED socks are a form of torture and should be banned under the Geneva Convention (or something similar). 

I poked up with them for about 10 days and then simply had to take them off.  I don't wear socks normally (even in cold weather), so wearing TED socks was absolutely hell.  The itching was driving me crazy, so off they came.

I can't recommend that you stop wearing yours, but be assured that you're not the only one who has had problems with them.

 

I was lucky in that my surgeon doesn’t believe in using them so I just had anticoagulant tablets and exercises. My mum had them when she had her hip replaced thirty years ago though and she used baby powder to help the heat and itching. Good luck 

Ann

Thank you so much. I have tablets to take. I managed to get out of the daily injection because I told them I’m useless at it. Had to do it once before and my stomach ended up so black and blue from bruising when I did it myself, that I had to go to the nurse every day instead. 

I’m reasonably active and would do my exercises every hour if it meant I didn’t have to wear the stockings! Am due to get my dressing removed on Wednesday so I may see what the nurse says. I think I read you don’t need them so much at night so even if I could take them while I’m in bed in would be wonderful. I will persevere until Wednesday if I can bear it but it’s good to know there are other opinions about wearing them. I know the risk of DVT after orthopaedic Surgery is pretty high so don’t want to take the risk if they really help.

First I heard of anyone having to wear the stockings for a month. I thought that they weren't worn at night, but maybe that's not the same for all people. My issue was very dry skin after the time period I had to wear them.

I was "freaking out" about the injections, but fortunately my husband was able to do them for me. I held my skin and he did the rest. No issue with bruising. After 2 weeks, I had to take high dose aspirin twice a day.  Blood very thin now so have to continue to avoid taking Vitamin E and any other thinners.

If you can remove the stockings at night, could help to put on some lotion. As was also said, perhaps powder.

I agree with Chloeparrot 😬  The crazy itching drove me straight to the funny farm in combination with the itching pain meds caused. Bugs crawling all over😡. Took Hydroxyzine/ benedryl for pain med itching.

This last THR I bought air compression boots from Amazon, cheap, battery operated and wore them three times a day and the did shots then released to just Aspirin. It was so worth it! 

I wore them for 6 weeks, day and night. I did take them off for about half an hour a day thanks to my wife - she hated them more than me!

THe hospital said to wear the stockings for 2 weeks for a knee replacement, 4 weeks for a hip replacement. In the information pack they gave me there was a leaflet saying to wear them day and night.

I’m widowed and it’s difficult to take them off / put them on myself with the 90 degree restriction so I’ve just had to suffer it so far.

i did some research on the NHS website last night and decided it shouldn’t be a problem for me to remove them at night if my feet were raised slightly, so I managed to get them off before I went to bed and put a pillow under my feet. Bit of a struggle to get the stocking off my operated leg without bending it too much! My daughter is coming round this morning so I’ll ask her to put some moisturiser on and help me put on a pair for wearing during the day.

Oh the relief of a night without itchy legs!

Hi Melody,

If you're talking about the typical compression socks for the prevention of blood clots, I ordered 6 pairs for $20 bucks on Amazon.  I just typed in compression socks for women.  There were 2 blacks, 2 navy , 1 white and 1 beige.  They are very soft and comfortable and definitely do the job of compressing the feet and calves.  I also ordered a sock "puller on", if you will.  You put the sock on the device, slide your foot into it, pull up on two ropes and your sock just slides up your leg, no bending over if it's uncomfortable right now.  Try those socks if it's compression that you're after.  They're great and look good with slacks and normal shoes!

Melody,

I went back and looked at my Amazon account.  The device is called "Bodyhealth Sock Aid w/ Foam Grip" sold by What a Deal on Amazon for $10.99.  It's a miracle.  No bending at all.

The socks were called "Compression Socks for Women" sold by Papikin for $21.99 / 7 pair. 

Just have your daughter google Amazon and type in these key words.  They'll arrive in 2 days.

I wore mine for a week, but my leg was very swollen above them, so the hospital told me not to wear them during the day (I was very active), but then to wear them at night. I did that for a month. It was a lovely feeling when I stopped them completely! I sympathise with you, must be v hard getting them on and off. All the best, Judith 

It's horrible isn't it - I had to wear them again following revision just 4 weeks after getting them off the first time.

I used to use a guy's post-shave balm on my legs to help with the dreaded itch.

You need to keep wearing them to prevent risk of DVT which can be fatal - my own father died of one, so it is a real risk.