I'm tired of doing everything for mom and if she won't wear them, so be it... let nature take its course, I feel. She won't walk or keep her legs elevated to improve blood circulation if I leave the room or am not around her.
Are there any other ways to deal with poor circulation in legs?
They simulate a walking pace, and I think some may also have some sort of warming capacity- most circulatory issues cause cold extremities.
I’d try to rent or borrow one for a trial before purchasing but if it works you might be able to get her physician to recommend or even possibly write a prescription for one.
Compression socks can be tricky. I wore them for years, and learned that unless they are carefully fitted and used, they can be extremely uncomfortable. Your mom may be unable to tell you why she won’t wear them.
If her toes are comfortable, she may have decided that all compression hosiery is uncomfortable. Maybe see if you can find a toeless sock, if that’s the case.
All you can do IS ALL YOU CAN DO!
hugs, annreid! :)
i agree! they look great to me! :)
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OP...i understand you're frustrated. hugs!! :)
in my case, i have the sweetest elderly LO in the world (i'm sure many of us do) -- always in a good mood (has always been this way), always cracking jokes. :)
however, my LO won't do anything unless we force it. the only way, is for us to say again and again, "do this, that, please."
then my LO does it. my LO isn't upset; just doesn't want to do anything.
we go through this almost daily.
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compression socks -- apparently even when they're the right size, they're very uncomfortable.
i understand OP you've tried again and again, to force your mother to elevate her feet, walk.
we do the same. and then my LO does it. my LO doesn't use compression socks.
hopefully your mother can manage without compression socks ---
(often they're not TOTALLY necessary).
let me add 1 thing.
swelling in feet, knees, etc...
that can have many causes.
you've checked the cause?
some causes are dangerous. some aren't.
my LO is very lucky: the cause isn't dangerous at all.
in any case, if there's liquid retention (for example daily swollen legs/feet), some people take diuretics (example: furosemide). dosage must be decided carefully by a doctor.
too much = many side-effects.
too little = not effective.
diuretics help do more pipi. this way, less urinary retention = less swelling of feet/legs.
our doctor (urologist) said 20 mg daily!
that's a HUGE amount for a slender elderly person.
i got a 2nd opinion.
new doctor (cardiologist) agreed, that's way too much. diuretics must be reduced slowly, not cold turkey: or else you'll get a big backlash, with a lot of swelling.
we managed to reduce it to only 10 mg, three times a week.
feet ok now.
and it's minimal medicine.
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of course, every case is different, and you must speak to a doctor. but who knows, maybe what i write helps someone.
hug!! :)
bundle of joy :)
She used to live in India, in a region where it was always warm and she had no need for socks. The Dr prescribed it for poor circulation - her feet swells sometimes but lately it has not, thank God.
Mom has no interest in picking out socks/personalizing them.
I have to sit with her and get her to use the foot mover device. Maybe I will get this now on a rental basis.
Thanks again, dear Forumers.
yes, maybe you can really get rid of the compression socks. apparently very uncomfortable, even if it's the appropriate size. and sometimes, not really needed.
there are other solutions to try to get the swelling down.
great, your mother right now is not swollen.
:)
It really did help and I find it helps me to feel invigorated after I do it for my afternoon siesta;-)
Fresh air, nature within sight, people passing by so socialisation too.
Now I see it was also a calf & core workout. Very clever.
PT came for a different reason and suggested that she use one of those exercycles. The type where you sit on the chair and pedal with your feet for under $50. No tension on the pedals, doesn't require a mileage tracker, and portable. I make her do it while I'm talking with her. She doesn't have to go fast, just slow and constant. Believe it or not, at first, she couldn't pedal in the same direction (it was brutal to watch). She worked her way up to a 25 minute stretch. Her legs felt better within days.
I took it with her when she went to MC and she didn't want it. However, she has no choice. She gets me to stay longer with her if she pedals. She gets me to stay longer if she cooperates with the exercises that I want her to do. However best of all, I see little bloating in her legs so it is more comfortable for her to walk.
After I read the other replies: Sitting on a chair and marching in place is good to get the blood moving also. It also has the added advantage of strengthening the upper leg muscles.
It is what it is. She has a right to live how she chooses even if it isn't the best thing for her health.
When my sister had surgery they required her to wear compression socks to help prevent blood clots. They had the foot in them. My sister slept with her feet out from under the covers. As soon as she got home, she removed them.
I know, you want to do everything right for Mom. But there are times you just have to let things go.
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