Useful compression garment?

[Sushi]

This just popped up on a webpage thanks to the all-knowing digital "watcher," but it actually looks like it might help for abdominal and thigh compression. Look here if you are interested.

 

[Gingergrrl]

@Sushi, I have used compression stockings to sleep in overnight (recommended by my cardiologist) but never felt any benefit and they were very uncomfortable. How is this garment different (as far as the benefits to POTS, OI, etc) versus the stockings? Thanks!

 

[Sushi]

@Sushi, I have used compression stockings to sleep in overnight (recommended by my cardiologist) but never felt any benefit and they were very uncomfortable. How is this garment different (as far as the benefits to POTS, OI, etc) versus the stockings? Thanks!

Many of us with OI have splanchic pooling--meaning that the large veins in the abdominal area dilate and blood pools there. Hence many autonomic specialists recommend abdominal binders to prevent pooling. My doctor recommended this and this garment looks more comfortable than most abdominal binders.

BTW, most doctors don't recommend wearing compression garments while you are lying down as they are meant to counteract the effects of standing.

Sushi

 

[Gingergrrl]

Many of us with OI have splanchic pooling--meaning that the large veins in the abdominal area dilate and blood pools there. Hence many autonomic specialists recommend abdominal binders to prevent pooling. My doctor recommended this and this garment looks more comfortable than most abdominal binders.

BTW, most doctors don't recommend wearing compression garments while you are lying down as they are meant to counteract the effects of standing.

@Sushi That is interesting and my cardiologist thought the compression stockings might stop the blood from pooling in my feet/legs while sleeping and reduce the tachycardia that I have when I first stand up out of bed in the morning. I'm not certain that I even have blood pooling in my legs/feet and since I started taking beta blocker & Florinef every day, the tachycardia has improved. I've never heard of splanchic pooling and no idea if I have this? I am seeing another cardiologist for a consultation who is more trained in autonomic issues at the end of Aug and will see what he says. Thanks for posting about the garment. It looks kinda like Spanx LOL.

 

[Sushi]

@Sushi That is interesting and my cardiologist thought the compression stockings might stop the blood from pooling in my feet/legs while sleeping and reduce the tachycardia that I have when I first stand up out of bed in the morning. I'm not certain that I even have blood pooling in my legs/feet and since I started taking beta blocker & Florinef every day, the tachycardia has improved. I've never heard of splanchic pooling and no idea if I have this? I am seeing another cardiologist for a consultation who is more trained in autonomic issues at the end of Aug and will see what he says. Thanks for posting about the garment. It looks kinda like Spanx LOL.

Spanx is not tight enough to really have much beneficial effect on pooling.

My autonomic tests indicated splanchic pooling and the doc said that for many patients this is a bigger problem than pooling in the legs. When you eat a heavy meal a lot of blood goes to the abdomen and if you try to stand and walk right after, this gives you a sense of what splanchic pooling can feel like.

Sushi

 

[Sasha]

I just read a literature review (sorry, don't have the reference) of types of compression garment (kneesocks vs thigh-high vs abdominal compression vs everything at once) which showed (although the studies were hard to compare) that abdominal compression works best, with the presumption being that this is because it's splanchic pooling that's a big player for most people like Sushi says.

I have compression tights that come up to my waist, prescribed by my doctor, but haven't found them to be of any benefit on their own. However, a store-bought corset (!) does have some effect for me and is considerably more tolerable than the tights, which are extremely difficult to get on, extremely hot, and pull themselves down because of the tension in them (they will pull a pair of jeans down if I wear them underneath so needless to say, I can't go out in them!).

 

[maryb]

I can't wear any type of compression garment, and I've tried more than a few. I get swelling immediately around where the thing ends. I put it down to my heart and poor circulation??

 

[PNR2008]

I myself can't stand anything tight around me, it actually makes me anxious and irritable. After back surgery I wore a brace for about a week before it went out the window. Many times even a bra will drive me crazy. The IO docs recommend compression stockings but why spend the money and energy? I'll just be cussing them out anyway.

 

[Valentijn]

However, a store-bought corset (!) does have some effect for me and is considerably more tolerable than the tights, which are extremely difficult to get on, extremely hot, and pull themselves down because of the tension in them (they will pull a pair of jeans down if I wear them underneath so needless to say, I can't go out in them!).

Hrm, maybe I should find my Renaissance Faire leather bodice, lace it up nice and tight and give that a try ... at least it'll make answering the door a lot more interesting

 

[PNR2008]

I have a few of those too but in sizes too small, I'll faint anyway from no breath like the southern belles. Believe me I don't look like them. @Valentijn

 

[Mij]

I myself can't stand anything tight around me, it actually makes me anxious and irritable. After back surgery I wore a brace for about a week before it went out the window. Many times even a bra will drive me crazy. The IO docs recommend compression stockings but why spend the money and energy? I'll just be cussing them out anyway.

I'm the same way. I wear my yoga pants that are very snug on the upper legs, I feel they help somewhat. I have no problem wearing them because they have an opening at the bottom- I don't feel so claustophobic.

 

[ukxmrv]

I'm maybe too weak to be able to pull these on I think. Even a thick pair of tights is beyond me now.

 

[Gingergrrl]

I agree with all you guys and when clothing feels too tight it feels like it is cutting off my air supply.

 

[PNR2008]

Claustrophobic and suffocation are the two words that come to my mind when thinking of compression anything. Make my body stronger from the inside or leave me alone.

 

[ahimsa]

Many of us with OI have splanchic pooling--meaning that the large veins in the abdominal area dilate and blood pools there. Hence many autonomic specialists recommend abdominal binders to prevent pooling. My doctor recommended this and this garment looks more comfortable than most abdominal binders.

BTW, most doctors don't recommend wearing compression garments while you are lying down as they are meant to counteract the effects of standing.

Thanks for posting the link to another compression garment. It's good to have other options.

I also get splanchnic pooling, especially after eating.

Splanchnic is such a funny looking word, so many consonants in a row!

PS. I got the same recommendation from my doctor about not wearing compression garments (or pantyhose) while lying down. I actually don't even wear pantyhose (have not worn it for years). But I remember it was mentioned, probably since people think of it as a fashion choice and not a compression garment.

 

[ahimsa]

Hrm, maybe I should find my Renaissance Faire leather bodice, lace it up nice and tight and give that a try ... at least it'll make answering the door a lot more interesting

Actually, the woman who writes the blog Epbot (same woman who does Cake Wrecks) has talked about using a corset for pain relief during her period. I don't know why a compression garment would work for this problem but I guess it can.

Here are the posts where she talks about it and posts some links to other compression garments in addition to corsets.

http://www.epbot.com/2014/06/an-everyday-geek-girl-tries-everyday.html

http://www.epbot.com/2013/05/can-corset-cure-cramps.html

Just thought it might provide folks with a few more options.

 

[Sushi]

Actually, the woman who writes the blog Epbot (same woman who does Cake Wrecks) has talked about using a corset for pain relief during her period. I don't know why a compression garment would work for this problem but I guess it can.

I suppose it works on the same principle--bloating during periods must be related to the pain. We're dealing with a different type of "bloating" but the common principle might be don't leave room for fluids to build up.

Several have mentioned discomfort from tight garments. For me, tight garments the bind in one place are a problem but a well fitting compression garment actually feels good to me. I first noticed this with bike shorts--tight but really fit well. So I look for compression garments that compress evenly and don't bind or chafe--ones that move with your body.

Sushi