Archive for July, 2010

Travel Compression Socks: What to Look For Before Buying

Before you board the plane or gas up the car for a road trip, consider choosing a pair of travel compression socks, especially if you suffer from varicose veins, lymphedema, deep vein thrombosis, leg swelling, or general leg fatigue. The tight fibers of a travel compression sock help to promote blood and fluid flow in your feet and legs, reducing swelling and the risk of dangerous blood clots. In fact, your doctor may even insist that you wear travel compression stockings or support hose, especially during longer flights or car rides.

So, how to buy travel compression socks? Here are a few suggestions:

Consider length. Travel compression socks come in a variety of lengths – you can choose knee highs, thigh high stockings, or full-leg varieties. For people without major medical conditions who just want to combat the fatigue of long flights, knee highs purchased online or from the drugstore may prove supportive enough. For those with serious thrombotic conditions, like deep vein thrombosis, ask your doctor about tighter compression that may require a prescription.

What about washability? You’ll want stockings you can easily wash after wearing. Be sure that your stockings don’t require machine washing if you won’t have access to those facilities.

Color coordinate. People prone to leg swelling may want the extra support and compression of travel compression socks when sightseeing. In that case, you’ll want to be sure your socks match the majority of the travel outfits you’ve chosen. You’re in luck, though – many of today’s travel compression socks come in a variety of colors.

Here are a few travel compression socks that can help you stay stylish and swelling-free on your travels:

Ariva Travel Legwear – Womens Black

Thomas M. said: “Worked as promised on a 30 hour trip, 26 hours of flying. Still felt good at end. Used as regular socks on vacation. Washed and dried easily in hotel sink. Still felt good on return trip, after 4 or 5 washings.”

J.R. M. said: “A bought them for a trip to Europe after reading several medical articles about DVT. Wow! They are truly comfortable. No leg pain at all on the long flight. I now wear them on all flights no matter the length. I’m going to get a couple of more pair for auto trips and anything where I will be seated for long periods of time. Buying these is just the safe thing to do if you travel any at all.”

Mediven Travel Compression Socks – Medium Compression

Finally, here are some other suggestions that may help your travel compression socks work better:

• Drink up. Drinking plenty of water, juice, and other hydrating beverages during your flight or ride will be helpful, because dehydration can reduce blood volume and increase the likelihood of clots.
• Move around. When your seatbelt sign is off, try to get up regularly to walk the aisles or move around in your row. If you’re driving somewhere, stop regularly and take brisk walks to keep blood flowing.

Discount Compression Stockings: Are They Worth the Bargain?

Has your doctor told you that you need to wear compression stockings for your varicose veins, lymphedema, pregnancy, or deep vein thrombosis?

With prices ranging from $50 to even $150 or more per pair, your first response is probably sticker shock when you visit a medical supply store to purchase them. In many cases, your health care provider might recommend purchasing two or more pairs, the cost of which can be a definite budget buster.

It’s tempting to search for the lowest priced stockings, thinking you’re saving money. But when it comes to compression stockings, there are a few considerations before beginning a bargain hunt.

Buying Cheap Could Hurt Your Health

Discount compression stockings come in a variety of compression levels. Typically, lighter compression stockings with less compression are less expensive than higher compression stockings. But stockings in the 8-15 mmHg  range, the cheapest varieties, only help people with minor vein problems, such as aching legs from pregnancy or people in careers that have them on their feet a lot.

People with serious vein problems, whose doctors recommend firmer compression, may be putting their health at risk if they try to skimp on cost by using a lighter compression than they need. If you need cheap compression stockings in the 30-40 mmHg or higher range, expect to pay $75 or more per pair.

Off-Brand Stockings May Not Work as Well

Juzo, Jobst, Sigvaris, and Mediven are some of the most common manufacturers of compression stockings. Those looking for discount compression stockings may come across drugstore brands or knockoff varieties produced overseas on auction sites, but often you get what you pay for: the compression level may not be as advertised, or the stockings may be low quality and wear out more quickly than a name brand carried by medical supply stores.

Buying Used Often a Bad Idea

Online auction sites like Ebay and even Craigslist may turn up deals on lightly used compression stockings. But consider this: With used compression stockings, it’s hard to verify the stocking’s compression level, especially if there is no original packaging. The previous wearer may have weighed more or less than you, stretching out the stocking and compromising the compression.

For these reasons, doctors do not recommend wearing used stockings, but instead getting those fitted for you. However, if you can find new cheap medical stockings that come in their original packaging, and you’re certain you’re getting the brand, size, and compression level you need, you may be able to snag a deal.

Discount Medical Stockings: You CAN Find Deals

Buying medical stockings online can net you some bargains, though. Here are a few tips to get online deals on name brand stockings:

1) Purchasing through a retailer like Amazon can get you free shipping for orders over $25 (free 2-day membership if you have a Prime membership). They carry brands like:

• Juzo (30-40 mmHg Unisex Thigh Highs; 40-50 mmHg Open Toe Thigh Highs)
• Jobst (20-30 mmHg Knee Highs Unisex)
• Sigvaris (20-30 mmHg Truly Transparent Thigh Highs; 30-40 mmHg Open Toe Thigh Highs Unisex)
• Mediven (20-30 mmHg Open Toe Knee Highs)
• Compression Stocking Aids

2) Look for coupon codes for online discount compression stocking retailers. Try Googling “coupon code” and the name of the supplier website to find codes that you can enter to get a percentage off your order or free shipping.

3) Buy multiples. It’s not as good a shipping deal as Amazon, but other medical supply retailers often offer free shipping on orders $65 and above, so buying stockings in bulk (and you’ll need at least one pair to wear, one pair to wash) can save some money.