Compression stocking - How to keep them up?
  • I had a second phlebitis with compression stockings. The first one, I had to wear knee high socks and I didn't tolerate thick socks (I'm a man). The pharmacist pointed me towards women knee high compression stockings that are much finer.

    For the second one, I ended up with thigh high stockings with the same material. As the pharmacist says: I'm the only one who will see the lace at the top. But the problem is that I must pull them back up 10 to 20 times during the day, and it's turning me crazy. I must constantly find a place where I'm alone to put them back into place.

    When they are new, they hold into place. But after a few days, they stop. My wife got me a simple garter that goes unnoticed but it does make me self-conscious. What if something happen to me? The lace, ok, but the two together?

    Does someone has the same problem? (I am speaking to the other men who have to wear compression stockings) or maybe another solution (the women can help me here). I clean the silicone border with alcohol but it doesn't change a thing. Thank you in advance.
  • Maybe they are not really your size and expand rapidly. I do not have this problem with the Sigvaris brand which I am told is the best. And when they start to fall, I too use alcohol.
  • Anyway, it is the enlargement that make them go down, but I find that alcohol do nothing. And it is precisely the same brand as you. It is driving me crazy. My phlebologist does not say I need to stop wearing them.

    I was told that shaving the hair on my legs could help (remember I am a man). What else??
  • Two things: do you wash them only at 30 ° C and no more? And, why not wear pantyhose? It will have the advantage of staying in place, not to mark at the thigh, not having to buy suspenders. In short, much more discreet on you. The only drawback is in summer, it is too hot. But that's something for the winter!
  • You must be especially careful not to have any cream on your legs or other products that make your stocking slip. Also sweat and fat on the skin can have the same effect, so take a shower in the morning and with your legs well dry wait 2 or 3 minutes to remove any moisture left and put your compression stocking without stretching them, upside down. And of course wash them every day with a special liquid soap design expecially for compression stockings. Sigvaris sell one that does not destroy the elastic fibers.

    Good luck to us all!
  • Almost forgot, you also need to let your Sigvaris (or any compression stockings) dry flat on a screen made for that purpose (or if you don't have one you can simply use a towel)
  • The brand Juzo also makes a garter belt specifically for compression stockings:
    Juzo Garter Belt

    I haven't tried it yet, but I'm sure it will help maintaining your stocking in place all day.
  • I'm ordering it (I too was getting annoyed of seeing them fall down after only a month or two). I'll keep you guys posted.
  • It does not work with my Sigvaris. I'm going to have to try a different model next time.
  • It Stays Body Adhesive for Compression Stockings will be the quickest, easiest and cheapest solution in my opinion.

    Here is a site I like and would recommend: http://www.legstherapy.com/accessories/garter-belts-and-adhesive/it-stays-body-adhesive-2oz.html
    There is also the Compression Stockings Adjustable Garter Belt. It helps hold support stockings up all day long.
    http://www.legstherapy.com/accessories/garter-belts-and-adhesive/adjustable-garter-belt.html
    I personally use the It Stays Body but I am a woman. I think you should give it a try.

    Finally there is also Mens Thigh High with Waist Attachment specially for Mens:
    This is a good example here from Sigvaris: http://www.legstherapy.com/mens/men-s-thigh-with-waist-attachment/sigvaris-860-select-comfort-20-30-mmhg-open-toe-thigh-with-waist-attachment-862w.html

    Let me know if you have any questions. I hope this helps
    Daniela
  • I had the SAME EXACT PROBLEM!  Unfortunately, I tried garters...nope not for me...I tried alcohol on the silicone but that made me literally have an allergic reaction to the silicone -after sweating and hairy leg chaffing.  I even tried the body adhesive...however, I must be the one in 1,000,000 to have an allergic reaction when I put it on my skin -this caused hives -lol not a good time at all!  -I even went to the extent of shaving my legs and and buying SEVERAL other brands of stockings. Such as Jobst, Medi, Sigvaris, and Juzo.  -But all seem to have the same effect.  -Keeping them up was a no problem when you first wear them...but after...pssh forget it. 

    I said eff this...I am trying the waist high stockings.  I keep the legs shaved because they do help with keeping them up and are a more comfortable that way.  I can honestly say...after much pain with thigh highs, I am so grateful for the waist high stockings.  The only downside is the heat in the summer...but you tend to get "use" to it after awhile...I live in Texas too!

    Jobst Opaque Pantyhose and Sigvaris Soft Opaque Pantyhose are my favorite.
  • I find the Juzo thigh high holds up and stays up and have had the same luck with the Jobst and Mediven. 
  • Adam has the right idea, go with pantyhose and shaved the legs. I use 20-30 compression and stay in place all day till I go to bed. I have been wearing these for about 10 years and I also wear with shorts everywhere I go. I've never had any problems. The public doesn't have any problems with us wearing with shorts, it's all in our heads. So give it a shot.
  • Hands down, the best solution is It Stays.  Most compression hosiery manufacturers offer it, so the manufacturer must license it to everyone.  No need for alcohol, shaving your legs or any of that stuff. It's a roll-on, like that old deodorant.  I put on my thigh-highs, turn the silicone band down and roll a bead around my leg there.  Then snap the band back in place, smooth it down, and I'm good for the day.

    Summertime doesn't seem to be a problem - it's winter, when the air is cold and dry, that I need help.

    Regarding irritation, silicone is virtually inert to the human body.   The problem is contact dermatitis, which comes from a moisture-impervious material clinging to your skin for a long time.  Your skin needs to breathe. In this regard, i've found Sigvaris Soft Opaque to be the biggest offender -- nice stockings, but that silicone tape they use raises a rash on me with one wearing.  Mediven Comfort is pretty good, especially in drier weather, but the best is Activa Compliments (alas, no longer made), which uses a pattern of silicone dots. Anyone know if some other manufacturer picked up that line?

    Bottom line -- go for the dots, regardless of who makes them.
  • I struggle for years with the thigh highs staying place and then used It Stays, which works wonderful, but I had a significant amount of irritation and soreness where the silicone dots hit my skin. For the last 4 years, I have worn the pantyhose at 30-40.  They stay in place, they don't sag behind the knees and are much more comfortable in my mind.  I wear Juzo Soft, which are opaque enough to not have to wear socks.  Adam and Terry are correct; the comfort level is much higher with shaved legs, which I have been doing for 5 years.

  • Thank you for your input Mrowan. I'll definitively try the pantyhose next time.
  • I have been wearing the compression panty hose for about a week now. the first couple of days they were great, but after that I can't keep them up they bunch at my knees and even pull the rest of my clothes down. I am half tempted to stop wearing them and deal with the pain. Is it possible that mine might be too big or something. They sure are hard to get on and off.
  • Sindee77,


    You may want to recheck the size you are wearing.  I never have the problem with them sliding down.  However, I do think if you have a lot of hair on your legs, they will tend to move. 

  • If the irritation and itching aren't too severe, you might get relief with a topical 1% cortisone cream.  Most drugstores sell it off the shelf.  Be sure to look for the water-based ointments, though -- the petroleum jelly- based creams are tough to clean off your skin and out of the stockings.

    Some hosiery manufacturers, Mediven, for one, also have their own creams.  I've never tried them, so I don't know how effective they are.
  • I use a suspender / garter belt and  I also add some extra silicone (from the hardware store) to the tops of the stockings 

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