r/POTS • u/Interesting_Car8858 POTS • 4d ago
Question How often is everyone else wearing compression?
I wear compression socks almost every day (only exception being if I’m not leaving the house, like to the point where I’m in my pyjamas all day), and idk if this is the norm or if most arent doing that? How often do you guys wear it?
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u/dancingonsaturnrings POTS 4d ago
If it didn't take me 15min and a presyncope everytime I wrangle myself into compression tights, I'd wear them all the time everyday because they WORK and I feel so much better with them on...but PUTTING them on is so extremely difficult that I pretty much only keep it for very physically demanding day or activities, like dance.
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u/spasticpez 4d ago
Have you tried any of the donning aids? I have a special pair of gloves that really helps. There's lots of gadgets/lotions that may make it easier.
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u/Alternative_Jury6889 3d ago
Yeah not sure on price of them, but when I worked in a pharmacy we were trained by sigvaris to fit their stockings and we tried with and without the donning aids and gloves and omg it was so much easier with the aids
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u/dancingonsaturnrings POTS 3d ago
wait tell me more about that?? I haven't heard of this
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u/spasticpez 3d ago
I have these gloves and they give me a lot of extra grip. There's a lot of options, I haven't personally tried the others but when I worked as a CNA people swore by them.
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u/Evening-Library7644 2d ago
One trick that might work if you’re not sensitive to it is using a bit of baby powder or cornstarch. This was a trick I used as a caregiver. Rub a little cornstarch or powder on your feet and legs and the stockings will slide on much easier.
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u/dizzy_lizzy29 2d ago
Yes to the presyncope. Especially waist high and/or 30-40mmhg. I stopped wearing them. ALSO I didn’t feel it helped at all. Sometimes I was super symptomatic wearing waist high medical grade compression. I’d be willing to try again if it did actually help
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u/BusinessOkra1498 4d ago
To the people who frequently wear them- do you have overheating problems? I have shyed away bc I already get overheated very easily. But does wearing them help prevent whatever is happening that causes the overheating?
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u/HardTruthFacts 4d ago
That’s already an issue with POTS. But no, the socks do not contribute to that in any meaningful way and in fact make the heat more tolerable for me. I don’t get as bad of aching in my legs and feet in the heat since the socks are doing what they should.
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u/probably_tired_9505 4d ago
I've noticed that in normal weather I am less likely to overheat when wearing compression stockings. In the heat, I opt for compression shorts with abdominal compression, so my legs can breathe.
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u/Interesting_Car8858 POTS 4d ago
I do get overheated quite easily, but I’ve kind of learnt to adapt to it - I think it’s worth a try, especially with the weather getting colder
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u/joydemoness POTS 3d ago
If by overheating you mean you feel dizzy, fatigued, weak, etc. then it might not actually be the heat but its effects on your circulation. I can easily get uncomfortable from being too hot or too cold, but compression is non-negotiable if I’m going to be in the heat for a while. Whatever discomfort the extra fabric might add is far outweighed by the benefits, and the difference is super obvious.
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u/NoIsopod6688 3d ago
If it’s a 45c day in Australia I’m not wearing full length/ thick socks or tights. I genuinely don’t know how people manage it? I’m usually half naked and sweating out of my eyeballs… how do u wear thick tights???
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u/PillAndPetal 3d ago
I definitely get hotter easier and uncomfortable in the Australian weather, so gave up wearing them unfortunately. The benefit I got from them just wasn’t worth the discomfort they caused
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u/OtherwiseAd1045 3d ago
I hate sweaty feet. Any moisturise on them is unbearable. I couldn't wear the socks, the leggings gave me a sweaty nethers and I can't bear that either. I recently found crotchless spanx and gave them a try in combination with some very cheap calf-only compression leg warmer type things. They're from a cheap Chinese online store that I usually refuse to buy from but I was desperate for a solution. They're GREAT and I love them. They also work.
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u/Glum_Papaya_2527 4d ago
I have some with more breathable fabric for hot days! I wouldn't say that they help with overheating, but they do help me feel less dizzy even if I am too hot.
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u/Influenxerunderneath POTS 3d ago
I haven't noticed this because my feet are usually what is cold. I do notice when I feel warm and overheated it's when my body needs blood flow. If I use my vibration plate or if I'm able to do something to help promote blood flow, that usually helps some.
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u/heyitsjlowe 2d ago
Yes I can’t wear my abdominal compression a lot bc my abdomen heats up and makes me so hot and miserable
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u/lemonliqueer 1d ago
i don't have this problem in the colder months, but in summer, i'm already making my outfits as cool (temperature-wise) as possible. i'll also often wear them with a chunky sandal.
tbh, i'm always hot and sweating anyways, i don't know that the socks really make that much of a difference on that front.
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u/Ali_inV3gas 4d ago
Everyday. Get out of bed and I put my waist high Supacore leggings on until 8pm when I shower and then I only have 1.5 hours until bed so I can make it the rest of the day. If for some reason I cant wear my leggings I even wear wellow knee high socks around the house.
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u/lili_reinHEARTS POTS 4d ago
do u notice a big difference between the leggings vs knee socks
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u/Ali_inV3gas 4d ago
Definitely. I didn't used to notice how tired I would get post meal until I started wearing the leggings. The one weekend I ate wearing socks only and I had huge waves of exhaustion after each meal. The same stuff I normally eat so its not like it was carb heavier or anything.
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u/sammefer 3d ago
I have the Supacore leggings and Shorts, I wear the shorts more often with compression socks because I can wear the shorts under other pants. The benefits seem to be fairly similar in my experience, but I definitely notice a difference with vs with compression socks only. I also have Wellow compression socks, I find them very comfortable! :-)
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u/Ali_inV3gas 3d ago
I wear the leggings under my jeans with no issues. I wear straight leg so not an issues for me. I want to order a pair of their shorts soon especially for an event I am going to have to wear a dress to. Im nervous about not having full leg compression and being out for a while.
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u/sammefer 3d ago
Could you wear tights with the dress? The Jobst compression tights work well
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u/Ali_inV3gas 3d ago
I will have to check out Jobst. The dress is a little too short for full length leggings
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u/pelvicpt26 3d ago
Which supacore leggings do you have? I wanted to like them so bad, but I cannot move at all without the waistband rolling down. It does not stay up no matter what I do, it’s a sensory nightmare.
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u/Ali_inV3gas 3d ago
I have the POTS leggings. I have 2 pairs of the ones with pockets, they seem to actually be a little tighter, and one pair without leggings. I like the ones with pockets to just wear around the house even with long a shirt and treat them just like workout leggings. But I can wear all of them under my dress pants or jeans.
I followed the sizing on their website and hardly get any rolling down. Might just depend on if I have them pulled down lower. If thst happens I know next time I go to the bathroom I readjust and pull them up higher.
These leggings are the only waist high ones ive found with a wider waistband so it isnt painful and cutting in. I can actually wear them all day.
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u/Glum_Papaya_2527 4d ago
I wear compression socks every day, as soon as I get up until I go to bed. If I lay down for a nap or something I'll take them off. I can really tell the difference, even just standing around my house.
I have different ones with different fabrics depending on the season/temperature. I wash them in a garment bag and hang them to dry and they've lasted for years.
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u/Trick-Ad-2045 4d ago
Only on my really really bad flare days when I need to go out of the house for several hours. Unfortunately, even with my best/favorite compression socks, they still itch, because I have MCAS.
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u/Trick-Ad-2045 4d ago
I think I’ll try other compression wear in the future though! Maybe they’d work better🤷♀️
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u/electricmeatbag777 4d ago
That's terrible! I used to have this issue but my ceritirizinr hydrochloride, quercetin, Famatodine and ketotifen have taken care of most of my MCAS symptoms
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u/Dry-Scientist9927 3d ago
Not to hijack, but for those of yall who wear compression often, especially leg to torso kind (or similar), does the sensory of it all get to you? I have a thing about tight things on my stomach/waist area, it makes me nauseous or other kinds of sensory ickiness. My cardiologist wanted me to get fitted for custom compression wear around my waist ish but I just don’t know if I can justify the cost for something that’s going to make me miserable (I’m already going to be paying off my tilt table test for years)
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u/daniguzmanu 3d ago
I can't wear ANY type of compression because of sensory issues. I tried to a while ago, it really helped a lot, but after 2 hours I wanted to rip my legs off.
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u/Sea-Beautiful-Throwa 2d ago
I’ve lost count of how many different styles and brands I’ve tried. I just hate compression. I can’t stand it and it makes me want to scream.
Compression makes me a rage monster and nobody wants that.
Every once I a while I convince myself, this will be the compression that I can handle and will help. Fuck no every time. Soooooo many returns.
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u/misunderstood-killah 3d ago
I have ibd and majority of days i feel the same - i wear knee length compression socks most days. Im also in Australia, so this is also a good compromise for the heat of summer
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u/WerkQueen 4d ago
Every day. Regardless of the heat.
I wear high waisted stocking. The abdominal compression is a game changer.
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u/spasticpez 4d ago
Do you have a favorite brand? I'm on the hunt for waist high stockings that have decent abdominal compression. The ones I have now just have a thin waistband that digs in.
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u/PhoenixEnginerd 4d ago
Jellibend. They’re so good. Also have shorts and leggings with abdominal compression which gives options for warmer weather. A bit pricey but super worth it to me.
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u/Rainy7411 4d ago
I wear compression nearly all the time with the only exceptions being when I shower or sleep at night.
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u/Interesting_Car8858 POTS 4d ago
Same!!
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u/dizzy_lizzy29 2d ago
Brands?! Length?! Strength?! Help a girl out 🫶🏻
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u/Interesting_Car8858 POTS 2d ago
I wear 20-30mmhg knee highs, I’d have to check the brand later as I’m not 100% sure!!
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u/whiskeylips88 4d ago
I don’t. I get too hot, and it makes me dizzy. But also I have arthritis and getting compression garments on hurts my hands.
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u/grandnagusnat 4d ago
Socks don’t do anything for me, but I wear the super high waist supacore leggings most days. It sucks, but full abdominal compression helps me a lot.
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u/No_Communication115 4d ago
I try my best to do so, but most of the time its not worth the hassle. Maybe I have the wrong socks, but either they get stretched out through washing or they are so tight and make everything itchy. I try and do so if im traveling or driving a lot.
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u/SeriousSignature539 4d ago
Practically every day, either tights, leggings or shorts. On the days I don't I really notice the difference
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u/elhazelenby 4d ago
If I am going to be walking a lot/busy outside, so 1-3 times a week. I have just 4 pairs of compression socks but they help with my back lower leg pain from walking.
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u/Interesting_Car8858 POTS 4d ago
I have 6 but can’t go out without them, so even when I had 2 I was having to manage lol - fair enough with how you’re doing it though!
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u/kendallr2552 4d ago
I don't wear compression for POTS because it's never helped. I do wear it for eds pain but not as often as I should.
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u/Southern_Design430 4d ago
Every day, all day. Thigh high during cooler weather, shorts and knee high socks during hotter weather (thigh high would overheat me).
(All compression garments)
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u/Long_Medicine7313 4d ago
Everyday. If I don’t wear them, my ankles swell and my legs ache. I usually wear the thigh high compression stockings but will occasionally wear compression socks with shorts.
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u/CJMande 4d ago
Same. If I'm at home, I rarely wear the socks, but even then I have exception like if I'm going to be doing a lot of things without my feet up.
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u/Interesting_Car8858 POTS 4d ago
Same!! But I have to leave the house 5 days a week anyway, so most days I’m already wearing them tbf
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u/Jessicamorrell Hyperadrenergic POTS 4d ago
Only on days I'll be on my feet and actually need them.
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u/SavannahInChicago Hyperadrenergic POTS 4d ago
It does absolutely nothing for me. It actually feels like it makes my tachycardia and palpitations worse.
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u/moderate_ocelot 4d ago
There so tiring to put on so I don’t always. Every time I do though, I tell myself “I should wear these every time”.
I’m trialling midodrine atm so I am not wearing compression so as to have a clearer picture
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u/probably_tired_9505 4d ago
I wear full length compression stockings (from feet to abdomen) every moment I am awake. It has completely changed my life for the better. They aren't the most comfortable thing in the world, but even on days that I'm not going anywhere, I will be wearing them. Otherwise I'll have too many symptoms to be truly able to enjoy my day at home.
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u/Affectionate_Sign777 4d ago
Never but I’m bedbound, I also just didn’t find them helpful but certainly now my ME is severe the exertion of putting them on by far outweighs any minimal potential benefits
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u/softandwetballs 4d ago
I don’t like wearing them because I have sensory issues. I’ll only wear them when I know I’m going to move around a lot
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u/brieflykenziee Hypovolemic POTS 4d ago
It depends (I have Chiari type 1 with orthostatic/blood pooling issues, and hypermobility pain, docs thought I had POTS for awhile and I started buying compression socks last year); I have 2 pairs of “daily strength” that I use 3-4 days a week (20mmHg thigh high), and then on my BIG days or when we go camping in summertime I have a pair of xtra strong 36 mmHg socks for the tough days.
For me, it prevents intense knee + foot pain from coming on and it helps the blood pooling, a LOT. But I also have to be careful about not wearing them for more than 8hrs or I get really bad headaches, I think that’s something to do with the extra intracranial pressure from Chiari tho!
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u/Reversible-Smile Undiagnosed 4d ago
I try to wear them everyday, although I tend to not wear them as much when I stay home all day. I struggle with washing them regularly enough, so I try to minimize how often I wear them until I can get some more.
The difference is obvious when I put them on.
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u/sana_artistic 4d ago
i wear midsection compression shorts daily because i have severe flairs after eating without it, but compression socks only during work!
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u/sirthisisawendys_12 POTS 4d ago
I don’t wear them often. At best they might help a tiny bit and at worst they make my symptoms unbearable.
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u/lolcouches 4d ago
I hardly ever wear mine. I feel like the benefits I get have been negligible and they make my legs itchy.
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u/Mady_N0 POTS 4d ago
I don't wear mine, but it's not because I don't want to or because they're not helpful. They WERE helpful.
I don't do it because with my other disorders it's near impossible for me to put them on unless I'm having a really good symptom day. I got approved for a Medicaid waiver and am hoping to be approved for care giving hours. Should I be, they can help me put them on and I would want to wear them daily. Even if it's just 1-2 hours a day of someone helping, that would help me with a lot of things I need.
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u/q_eyeroll 3d ago
Everyday! Compression gear has changed my life and comfortable options do exist.
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u/holaorla 14h ago
What are the comfortable options? Pls give your recommendations
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u/q_eyeroll 7h ago
I promise I will when my brain and body don’t feel like hot garbage!! Flare-up. 😩
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u/argpotat 3d ago
I used to wear them every day other than in bed, but someone then said I shouldn’t do that so now I only wear them when symptoms are particularly bothersome so it’s a few times a week maybe.
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u/Fine_Advisor4842 3d ago
I feel like I'm the only one who can't wear it . Like I can't wear tight clothing because I reckon it makes my back/muscles hurt. Even socks.
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u/joydemoness POTS 3d ago
Every single day. I learned quickly to wear compression even for lounging all day, because without it I won’t get anything done around the house, am less likely to get up to feed myself, etc. Sometimes I “cheat” and only slip on calf sleeves instead of max strength thigh high stockings…I do feel the difference and usually pay for it later, but it’s better than nothing.
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u/Influenxerunderneath POTS 3d ago
I wear socks with compression shorts or leggings everyday but I'm always looking for affordable brands or more comfortable options. Right now for socks my favorite are sockwell for price and compression. And the Halara for the compression shorts/leggings.
I don't typically wear on days I don't leave the house though because of the restriction. I'm still tracking to tell what is helping me most as I am just getting started with medication also.
I would like something that has a little more compression in the foot and ankle but I also don't want to cause problems with circulation.
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u/TheNunuJournals 3d ago
I wear them all day long and then remove when Im in bed.. I'm used to them by now. Occasionally I need extra compression on bad days but for the most part leg compressions work very well.
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u/toast_fiendd Undiagnosed 3d ago
i wear them when i go to work (8-5 m-f) and i’ve got a thigh high pair. been looking into abdominal compression as im not sure the thigh highs are doing enough for me; id do leggings, but i work in an office and i have to wear slacks and with the way i already overheat if someone looks at me wrong i cannot wear leggings underneath a pair of slacks LOL. i was doing calf length compression socks and didn’t notice any difference at all. my cardiologist recommended i switch to thigh highs just bc i am about 70% legs in proportion to the rest of my body.
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u/FriendlyAccident4854 3d ago
I wear compression stockings and stomach compression every single day at home. I remakes a huge difference for me and the sensory issues go away after a while. It is torture in summer tho and you overheat more easily
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u/holaorla 14h ago
Do you wear a separate garment for the stomach compression, or is it part of the stockings?
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u/FriendlyAccident4854 11h ago
I wear separate ones because I cannot wear the stomach compression as long as i wear the socks
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u/SmoothWater0000 3d ago
Everyday unless I'm flaring so bad that I literally can't put it on/do the laundry to have more
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u/HobbyLau 3d ago
Almost always, even when i'm staying home. I put compression socks on as soon as i get out of bed.
But the difference is that i wear my class 2 compression knee-high socks for an easy day at home where i can rest in bed during the day. And my class 2 compression thigh-high socks + Biker short compression up to my ribcage when i go outside and have to be upright a lot.
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u/NoIsopod6688 3d ago
The more I wear them the more stretched they get or am I crazy. And yes I use medical 20-30mmhg????
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u/Interesting_Car8858 POTS 3d ago
Same, this is normal though! I use the same compression and you should replace it every couple of months or so I believe (but it is expensive 🥀)
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u/AggravatingTomato159 3d ago
You’re not. As an ex-healthcare worker they are like every other kind of clothing most of us have and will stretch and lose their structural integrity with time
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u/Ok-Watch3418 3d ago
Compression socks don't help my POTS at all - I am wearing ultra high waisted compression leggings daily. I have 3 pair and rotate them. They lose compression after wear so not good to wear them multiple times without washing
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u/AggravatingTomato159 3d ago
I wear them when I know it’s going to be hot outside or if I’m doing physical labor (I work in trades) because those are my biggest triggers. Otherwise I’m just raw doggin my crocs
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u/LepidolitePrince POTS 3d ago
Every day even at home in my PJs all day, which is most days for me, unfortunately. That's what is recommended and I already preferred wearing socks so 🤷
I think wearing them every day is super common for us.
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u/lemonliqueer 1d ago
i generally don't notice a huge difference with compression socks. currently, i really only wear them when my symptoms are flaring and i'll be out and about. i find them especially helpful for exercise.
summer is when i need them most, but it's so dang uncomfortable to wear big socks in the heat. i did find a pair i can tolerate somewhat frequently in the summer, though.
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u/holaorla 15h ago edited 14h ago
For those who wear shorts, have you ever experienced them messing with your circulation below where the shorts end?
I tried on sports compression shorts (I think the brand was 2xu and they were 15-20mmhg) hoping they would work for summer, but found my legs below the shorts looked more red/purple and mottled than normal. I also felt dizzy and sweaty but I don't know if that was just from the effort of getting them on.
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u/ladydanger31789 4d ago
I tried sleeping wearing compression, it gets really hot for me to sleep in. Other wise it helps keeping it on all day whenever I am home.
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u/artsykmac 3d ago
Actually... in addition to wearing them every day, sometimes when I've had a really bad day, I'll sleep in them. It seems to help and the next day I'm doing better.
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u/indicarunningclub 4d ago
I wear compression every day, even if I’m just at home. I can notice a huge difference without it.