Accessories

[gjensen]

Does anyone have any experience with improvement from compression garments? I bought a waste high set. Goodness they are difficult to get on and off.

What about knee highs and one for the waste?

Any ideas about where to find G-suit pants?

Has anyone received help from their insurance company with a wheel chair? I want an electric one that reclines.

[looneymom]

My son is in a wheel chair that has power assist wheels but it does not recline. The wheel chair is a Quickie 2. We drive a jeep and we found a chair that would break down to fit into our jeep. Our cardiologist wrote the prescription and we took the prescription to our physical therapist. A letter of medical necessity had to be written by her, the cardiologist, and our primary care physician. The insurance denied the claim the first time and wanted more proof and testing. That was done and they accepted the claim for the wheel chair.

As for compression hose, my son was wearing compression knee high socks JOBST from compressionstockings.com. Our cardiologist advised us to start with the lightest weight until he could get use to them. Because his sensitivity has become severe at this point, he is not able to wear them right now.

Rachel

[Katybug]

Compression stockings help me on some days. Other days they make me nauseated as soon as I put them on. I have found the best deals and a wide selection of compression wear at DiscountSurgicalStockings.com.

[Becia]

I wear knee high stockings sometimes, I'm like Rachel's son and have sensitivity, so sometimes I can tolerate this, sometimes I cannot. I also use wheelchairs in my house and out, but mine are not power, nor recline. One doesn't have feet so I can work my legs a bit.

[Hope]

I have knee-high and waist high compression hose. If my legs are aching, I like the waist high. If I am wearing them just to help with my blood pressure, I really like my compression socks because they are more comfortable that the hose, at least when it's cold out. I would LOVE an electric wheel chair, but since I have a wheel chair already, and somebody has to be with me anyway when I go out I haven't bothered to see if I could get one covered. My walker was covered. It's a nice one with wheels and brakes and a seat. My blood pressure monitor was suppose to be covered, but they rejected it even though I did everything they told me to do to get it.

This reminds me...I get tired of people asking me why I'm using a cane. So instead of trying to explain my current condition, I've been just telling them, "Because TODAY, I'm well enough that I don't need my wheelchair or walker" I don't know, maybe I just need a better attitude!

[KareBear]

Hope, I like your response to why you're using your cane!! It's perfect

[gjensen]

Hope, I like your answer to.

I want a reclining electric wheel chair. I get high blood pressure from sitting upright. I suspect that if I reclined enough to control it, I would not get the leverage I needed to manage one otherwise.

All I want is to watch my son's football games etc. Maybe make it across Walmart. I suspect that my insurance company would not pay for all of that. I do not know I will try.

I wore my "panty hose" today. lol

[Psalm 23]

I wear compression hose and an abdominal binder most of the time and have found them to be extremely helpful especially the abdominal binder. I order the hose from Discount Surgical Stockings and the abdominal binder from Amazon.com.

Janet

[gjensen]

Janet, do you think the abdominal binder would help with my BP while sitting? I would like to be able tolerate sitting upright.

[KareBear]

I've heard others say the abdominal binder helps their bp, sitting too. My mom just ordered me an abdominal binder to try so I hope to find out soon!

[gjensen]

Well, I will order one now. It is worth a shot. I am wanting to be able to drive. If I could take the boys to school, that would be a big step forward.

I am not confident because just bumps in the road trigger it, but they subside quickly. It amazes me that I have become that sensitive.

Thanks for all of the insight.

[gjensen]

Oh, and I like the puppy. I met my sister's dachshund recently, and it was a delightful little thing. High maintenance though. You had to "baby proof" the house for that thing. It was non stop, but good natured.

[Psalm 23]

gjensen I believe there is a good chance the abdominal binder may help your sitting b/p. Besides helping stabilize my b/p in various positions the binder helps significantly with postprandial pooling. I can't eat without it being on or I am miserable. Apparently for the most success with it one should put it on before getting out of bed and remove it while laying down before going to sleep. The binder I wear is a Gabriella Breathable Elastic abdominal binder. Newer articles now talk about how much more effective abdominal binders are over hose for those that pool blood as there is a much greater amount of blood pooling in the abdomen versus the legs. I hope you receive as much help from your binder as I have with mine.

Janet

[Faintinggoat]

I'm like Psalms, I wear the compression hose and the abdominal binder. The binder also helps me a lot with eating as well. My specialist did tell me what Psalms was saying, that it is better to put it on before you get out of bed and taking it off after I have laid down in bed for the evening. He also told me that the thigh high ones are more effective than the knee high ones (though to me they are significantly more uncomfortable).

[KareBear]

That's good info. I wasn't aware the abd binder should be put on before getting out of bed and removed after laying down. I'll have to try that.

[gjensen]

OK. I have my binder to go with my panty hose. LOL.

I will try it in the morning. Just snug it as tight as you can tolerate it?

[KareBear]

Now all you need is pretty lipgloss lol!!

I do hope they help though, let me know how it goes. I should be getting my binder in the mail soon too.

[Psalm 23]

When you try on the abdominal binder you will just have to experiment with the adjustment of it. I like mine pretty snug but not enough to restrict breathing or cause pain. It does have to be snug enough to give adequate compression though.

Between the beige abdominal binder and beige compression hose my husband teases me and says I look like a mannequin. LOL. It's amazing how well this stuff is concealed under clothing though. Hope all goes well.

Janet

[KareBear]

Thanks for the tips! I will remember that.

Your husband is funny Janet, I never thought of a mannequin lol.

[CinderCyn]

I have major issues after eating, this looks like what I need to try. Question? How can you put it on before getting out of bed when you are going to take a shower before getting dressed?!?!? Guess it would be like the compression hose ASAP after the shower. I am just 2 months diagnosed with POTS....and very overwhelmed. The eating thing has been so bad that I mostly live on liquids...Thanks for the good advice about binders!

[CinderCyn]

Psalm any tips on sizing for the one you recommend from Amazon?

[gjensen]

You need to wait for Psalms answer, but what I have been doing is to go back and lay back down. Let everything settle back down, and then put it on.

[Psalm 23]

CinderCyn you're right in that the on and off routine with both the abdominal binder and compression hose can be a bit tricky. My morning routine does not begin with a shower as in days past but starts with getting compression gear on asap, then drinking fluids, eating a banana, taking medication, drinking a coffee, waiting for everything to work, then a walk, breakfast and finally a shower. Lol. After I shower the compression gear goes back on. I have multiples of everything so I have freshly washed and dried gear to put on after I shower.

Were it not for the abdominal binder I would probably be reduced to consuming liquids and even smaller amounts of food than I already do although I find that whether it's a liquid or solid the postprandial pooling impact is immense. I truly hope you realize as much symptom improvement as I have with this device. In regards to sizing, I believe the Gabriella Breathable Elastic Binder website has a sizing chart. For myself I typically wear an extra small ( I weigh 102 lbs.) but had to order a small as that was the smallest size offered. In spite of it being somewhat bigger than I would have liked it still works really well. The binder does stretch out over time and I have to replace them periodically. I may have a tendency to over tighten it at times though and I'm embarrassed to admit to sleeping in it when I am having a particularly bad day and I just cant bare to take it off. I am certainly not recommending this practice though.

I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this condition. It can be quite overwhelming to say the least especially in the beginning. Continuing to read past posts and links can be very helpful. Being proactive is essential as is realizing that symptom management is truly trial and error. Hang in there.

Janet

[Dustbunni]

I can't wear wear compression garments because of peripheral neuropathy. The pain is just way too intense. Regardless, while initially trying various combinations of compression garments, I discovered Compression Garments by Taylor (Taylor & Taylor Creations). They are selling through an ebay store at the moment. My research suggested their garments were well made, comfortable, and best of all - customizable. For a small extra fee they will create the compression garment to YOUR measurements. This is obviously great for us women who don't seem to fit standard sizes. Compression only makes the poor fit worse. Anyway, my dealings with them were wonderful. Even when I had to return the garment I ordered they were super nice and helpful. It might be worth checking them out if your having fit issues with other garments.