Helpful Hint for Those With Edema or Swollen Legs

by Carol
(Vacaville, CA)

Helpful Hint (I hope).

I was given this tip by a home health nurse and it helped my husband's edema in his legs.

His legs are really swollen due to his congestive heart failure.

I buy an item called Medigrip through Walgreen's online.

This is a tubular pressure bandage like an ace bandage. It forces the water up out of the legs after a while. It has been like a miracle for us.

My husband's lower legs were doubled in size. Now, using these Medigrip bandages regularly they are normal most of the time.
His legs would also be weepy occasionally, too, and that never happens now.

Anyway,I encourage you to ask your doctor about this. The doctor probably won't know. Ours didn't.

But the home health nurses are extremely knowledgeable about these things. I wish I had that type of help earlier.

We had it for two months, but then they decided he didn't need it any more.

I have my husband on an extremely restricted sodium diet (read labels and study) as well.

When he doesn't have to use the Medigrip bandage, I bought him stockings meant for diabetics at Walmart (mens department).

I can't get compression hose on him as they are way TOO tight to manage.

The Medigrip tubular bandage was covered by Medicare as long as he received home health services. Discuss this with your doctor and home health provider.

It was a wonderful help.
Carol,
This is such a great help to those that have edema in their legs. So many family members do not want to put on the compression stockings because they are so tight and difficult to put on.
This is a great alternative and one that makes it easy to use, so that encourages compliance or daily use.