Hi I was told to wear my Anti DVT stockings for 6 weeks. Mine are causing my knees to be very painful and swollen and causing me extra pain in both legs. I have always had problems with them when I have had to wear them.I have taken mine off for 2 hours today and all the extra pain and swelling I was getting has gone I am also taking asprin everyday to help prevent DVT. is anyone else having problems while wearing these stockings? I am thinking about not wearing them any more because they seem to be causing more problems than they are preventing.
Hailea the stockings seem to be contraversal. My surgeon does not use them and given 1 asprin daily for 4 weeks. I am now 8 weeks and fine. Of course their may be something in your pre assessment that might have caused them to worry about DVT
Sorry you are suffering
Remember what they prevent.It's ok to take off a couple hours a day though.
It only takes one blood clot in the brain for a stroke.One to the lungs or heart could cause death.do temporary discomfort may be worth it.
Hi ann thank you for your reply. my surgeon hands them out to everyone he treats. I had a total hystorectomy 8 months ago. Was told the same back then to wear the stockings for 6 weeks. As soon as I came home I took them off because of the same reason and I was fine. I think it just must be something my hospital do as the general rule. I think 4 weeks after my op and taking asprin I may just take them off and leave them off.
I had to wear them for 6 wks and give myself heparin injections! My knee was swollen for about 2-3 wks then it was better. As long as your moving and doing the bed exercises having them off for a few hrs will probably be OK.
Hi hailea! Well done and welcome to this wonderful forum! You must wear the awful Ted stockings for 6 weeks!! I hated it! But you soon get used to them. Sleep on your back as well! Where did you have your op? I have mine done in Woking on the NHS but at the Nuffield! They were wonderful! I will be 10 weeks soon! I had to have injection s into my tummy! Which went on for just over a month! But I had to ask district nurses to come in! Regards Amanda
Hi ginger. Yes I know the reason behind them. But I hate them because they never get the size right at the hospital and they are really hurting me.
I was the only one on my ward of 6 without stockings, but then i was the only one on my ward under my surgeon
Also removing bone in surgery had a higher risk than hysterectomy just saying.best to you.
Hi tracy. I have a really bad needle phobia so I just would not be able to do the injections. They have to give me sleeping gas just to put the canular in my hand. I won't let them near me unkless I am asleep. This is caused by really bad experiences in the past.
Hi amanda. Thank you . I have never got used to wearing them. They cause more problems for me than they are preventing.
I have no problems sleeping on my back. I have had a long 4 year wait for the first hip to be done and the right one still needs doing. I havn't been able to sleep on my side for about 2 1/2 years. So have found different ways to get comfortable. V pillows help a lot although I still do not get a full nights sleep. I try to sleep when I can.
I had my left hip done 4 weeks ago yesterday ( April 14th ) at the royal glamorgan hospital in South Wales same as you NHS. Was not a nice experience and had to complain about some of the nurses and the food being served cold. I have asked for my own room when I go in to have the other one done. It was not a very nice experience.
I can't have the injections I have a really bad needle phobia.
Hi Hailea. Poor you. I'm sorry you have such problems with the TED stockings. I hate them too but fortunately don't seem to react badly. Are you sure you were measured correctly for the right fit? Mine are vital because in Oct '13 I had a pulmonary embolism detected by my very observant and thorough GP who ran blood tests on a few vague symptoms - and probably saved my life. So the monitoring of my blood was an important part of my pre-surgery prep. After the op I also had those slightly spooky pump stockings on! Felt well monitored. I guess you should ask for a refit that might still do the trick but be more comfy or are you allergic to the fabric? 🌺
In my hospital they don't use any stockings...I am so pleased because even wearing support tights it's unconfortable for me.
Hi Grace. I was first of all given stockings that were way to small for ,me and felt like my legs were going to explode. The nurses would not listen so I asked to see one of my surgeons team and they saw right away I was right and told the nurses to re measure me. They did so and went two sizes bigger. They became too small when my leg swelled after the op and the same thing happened and agin the nurses did not listen to me so asked to see on of the surgical team. Again I was re measured and that was ok till I came home. Once home. I have had nothing but problems again. The nurses gave me 2 more sets 2 sizes bigger and they are still causing issues and making my legs very painful and knees are swelling up. It all goes away when I take them off. not sure if it is an allergy but I have always had issues with them. I take them off dfor a while then put them back on but within 10 - 12 hours the pain and swelling is back and I can't walk. It is making me miserable. It is good you have such an observant GP. I am glad they caught you in time.
It is strange how some hospitals swear by them and some don't. You would think it would be the same right across the whole country.
Thank you for your kindness. I'm so sorry you had such a bad experience. I do trust someone will give you the most help re the TEDs. I hope you can sleep well. 🌺
You are welcome Grace.
I have decided to take them off over night and I have raised the bottom of the bed. I havn't had a good sleep in over 3 years. It is a good night if I get 4 hours. But if I need to put them back on I know I can.
I have found v pillows very handy when trying to get in a comfortable position.. I can't lay flat or I have to have my right leg up because I can't fully extend it..
dear Hailea ... good grief .. you must feel miserable ... no stockings for me either - never even thought about that ... - so sorry about your bad experiences during your stay in the hospital -
I had to inject fragmin meds for 6 weeks !!! when asked about pills, I was told : NO ! so many differenn opinions and not only that but they seem contradictionary (is this a word???) - hope your day will be good - take care and be kind to yourself, okay ?
Hi renee. Oh dear what a day I have had. I took the stockings off and went to bed without them. The pain was so intence I couldn't stand it any more. About 10 mins after taking the stockings off and going to bed the relife was almost imediate. I fell asleep about midnight and woke up in pain agai9n at 6 am. My other 1q/2 put the stockings back on for me and I was ok till about 8 am and again intence pain and aching even in my non operated hip. I was really scared. I got other 1/2 to get an ambulance on 999 and went to A & E. Explained what was going on and they didn't understand so phoned my surgions secretary and lucky my surgeon had a clinic so went straight there. He sent me for a doplar scan DVT check and thank goodness nothing no clots.. Found out I have a problem wearing the stockings because I am so tall the stockings they have in stock at the hospital do not fit me correctly and that is what is causing the problems. I have to have a different size on my right leg to the left leg. the left leg being the one operated on. I also had a rough ride in the ambulance which has made me sore. The bus ride home was really bad too. I think I will be glad when today is over. Boy do I need a beer. But I know I can't have onbe because of the meds.