Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Support Group

I see a hematologist (have from day 1 of this ordeal) and he says that compression stockings are not necessary, that they don't help the healing, they just make the swelling a little easier to deal with if it bothers you. So I went to a vascular surgeon for a 2nd opinion. He said the exact same thing, although he did offer to write me a prescription for them if I wanted it. Of course, my response was, "if they're not going to make it get any better any faster, then why on earth would I want them?" Considering I am 34 and it is over 100 degrees outside here, I definitely do not want them now. As for shoes, I wear whatever I want, including heels to work; however, I find I am most comfortable in sneakers, etc. I even bought a pair of MBT shoes (although they are expensive) to help my leg feel better (and they do seem to work)! Many people on this site seem to wear stockings so you're probably going to get a whole range of responses....good luck and use your best judgment!! You know your body best.

It's my understanding that compression stockings are intended to not only reduce swelling post DVT, but to prevent permanent swelling and other post DVT symptoms some people experience. I read a story on another message board from a woman who ignored her doctor's orders to wear compression stockings after a DVT. She ended up with her DVT leg 3 inches bigger in circumference than her other leg & the swelling did not go down, even after years. YIKES! I have worn compression stockings since my DVT diagnosis 7 months ago. My vascular surgeon told me it would be necessary to wear them 1 1/2 - 2 years. Have you tried them? You might be surprised. Yes, they are God awful hot in the summer, but they DO make my leg feel better and keep the swelling to a minimum. As far as the shoes go, I have never heard of athletic only shoes. I wear whatever shoes I always have. The only "shoes" I can't wear is none. I miss going barefoot! Good luck to you! :)

Hmmm...do you have a lot of swelling? I guess it really depends on your level of comfort. I don't wear the stockings, but I also never really had swelling (very minimal)..just a lot of pain....

That's the weird thing - I have not had swelling and at no time while I was in the hospital (or after) was I told I had swelling. I never really had any pain, either - I had some pain in my shin 2-3 weeks before the PE...but I took aspirin and it went away, so I don't even know that it was related.

That's the weird thing - I have not had swelling and at no time while I was in the hospital (or after) was I told I had swelling. I never really had any pain, either - I had some pain in my shin 2-3 weeks before the PE...but I took aspirin and it went away, so I don't even know that it was related.

If you had no swelling and little pain, it sounds like you are lucky. Maybe that is the reason your doctor said the stockings are not necessary. When I was in the hospital and the weeks following, my leg was quite swollen and the pain was the worst I ever experienced. Honestly, there were nights I went to bed and really didn't care if I woke up the next morning. It was that bad. If you trust your doctor, I would listen to him/her!

If you had no swelling and little pain, it sounds like you are lucky. Maybe that is the reason your doctor said the stockings are not necessary. When I was in the hospital and the weeks following, my leg was quite swollen and the pain was the worst I ever experienced. Honestly, there were nights I went to bed and really didn't care if I woke up the next morning. It was that bad. If you trust your doctor, I would listen to him/her!

After a DVT, patients are left with reduced circulation in their legs as are result of residual fibrinous scarring at the clot site. As a result, depending on the severity of the clot, you are left with poor circulation which results in swelling. This condition is known as Post Thrombotic Syndrome (PTS) (aka Chronic Venous Insufficiency or Venous Stress Disorder). Wearing compression stockings definitely helps to improve circulation and in the case of PTS, may actually reverse the damage.

For any patient who has suffered a DVT, wearing compression stockings is part of preventative treatment of potential reoccuring clots. This is especially true during long trips or air travel. Though I don't always practice what I preach when it comes to wearing of compression stockings (especially during the summer), they defintely are a DVT patients best defense and do help you.

Here is an newsletter which discusses PTS:

http://nattinfo.org/Newsletters/Na...

What a great question because I have been wondering the same thing! However, I did have swelling really bad. Every vein in my leg was affected by the clot. I'm only 2 weeks into treatment and they haven't requested I wear a compression stocking--although now i'm going to ask.

When I had my DVT in my leg, my doc said no to the compression stockings. I had some swelling, but it wasn't horrible. So, it probably depends on your doc and your situation. That was in September and I will say that my leg with the DVT is slightly larger in than the non DVT leg, but I think I'm the only one who notices it.