Kidney Failure

@mnsansei That is a good point. They are expensive and trying until you find the right ones can be costly. I have arthritis in my hands so I'm not sure how much longer I will be able to manage them. I don't like the color of them either but I mostly wear black ones, (not in the summer). I don't wear dresses or anything shorter than my ankle anymore because of vanity.

@mnsansei I use the ones with no toes in them, since they tend to "crush" my feet. Also, I use ones that are zippered, because they are easier for me to maneuver. Like you, I cannot recall the units used LOL

A consideration whenever possible is to keep movement in your life. Dealing with neuropathy in my left leg [no feeling from the knee down], and a bum right knee, that can be a challenge. But my whole system feels better when I do keep moving. Topical NSAID diclofenac sodium on that knee works most of the time.
Ginger

@gingerw I agree that staying active is important. Unfortunately, it took over a year and a half for my doctors and me to figure out why I was having debilitating hip pain after bilateral total hip replacement. In the meantime, I was unable to do the PT that I was supposed to start on Day 5 after the first replacement because of unrelenting pain. I was unable to convince the gate keeper nurse of the seriousness of my pain complaint. The cause, a femur broken on Day 5 at a PT appointment, was revealed at my six week followup appt with the surgeon. In hindsight, I wonder if I was stupid to take his recommendation to do the second replacement at week 10. I also should have insisted on another follow up before the routine two year mark which is coming up this spring.

Another undiagnosed problem further exacerbated the pain problem. It turns out that in addition to the gout that was found in my toe in 2022, I also have pseudogout. My Mayo nephrologist (who has gout, too) arranged for a Dual Scan CT which is the only diagnostic scan I can have that would reveal pseudogout. That scan may have unveiled additional gout. Both pseudogout and gout deposits are/were scattered throughout my pelvis. I accidentally came upon a pain solution when a second toe developed what I thought was gout on a trip to NC over a weekend last October. To confirm my suspicion, I took the analgesic colchicine which only relieves gout and pseudogout pain (and Familial Mediterranean Fever which as a person of Japanese descent is unlikely to be my problem.) Ordinarily I would have contacted my nephrologist but having read that colchicine is most effective during the first 24 hours after pain appears and it had been 36 hours, I took the initiative.

Now that the pain in my pelvis is under control, I have finally been able to go back to PT to learn the exercises I should do to recover from hip replacement. Amazingly, it is not too late to be effective. This week, for the first time since 2022, I was able to walk three miles. The trail was almost completely flat so it was not a strenuous trek.

The next time we have decent weather (it's snowing a bit as I write), we're going to see if I can get off my bike. I have very mild neuropathy in my feet and hands from velcade treatment for ITG. My husband is prepared to catch the bike so I dismount safely. We tried this last summer when I was trying different activities in an effort to stay active.

BTW, my nephrologist said no topical NSAID either. I am limited to acetaminophen (and colchicine). I was given one Aleve after each hip surgery even though I told my surgeon that my nephrologist had said no Aleve. When I found out, I hoped the surgeon contacted my nephrologist who had provided a list of acceptable meds and that what seems to me to be a small amount of contraband did not cause permanent kidney damage.

@mnsansei Wow, quite the history and thank you for that. Often we read the current history, and sometimes we forget to include just what led up to the present situation!

Yes, I have been advised no NSAID, systemic or topical. But, I am a "red-headed rabble rouser", as a former co-worker dubbed me, and well known in my medical circle to question things. As I said here recently, I am on dialysis for life. Truly, in my mind, any harm a topical NSAID might do is small potatoes in the big picture of my complicated case. Sometimes ya just gotta do what feels right to you.
Ginger

Regarding compression socks, consider buying over-the-calf biking socks. Biking clothes are snug, partly because they are more comfy and also keep things in place when we launch outselves from hitting crud on the roads, deer, and other obstacles. Cycling compression socks are less expensive, wick moisture, and are more attractive than those flesh-colored things. Mine are knee high, others are shorter socks. https://myvelo.net/blogs/roadbike-blog/compression-stockings-and-road-cycling-how-useful-are-they https://www.bikeexchange.com/en-US/blog/the-science-of-cycling-socks-six-things-to-know

@kayabbott Those look pretty danged comfortable! The issue is I need toeless socks.
Ginger

@gingerw There are cycling leg warmers, but those are generally from the ankle to over the thigh and maid of spandex. Biking tights (without the padding) are sturdier than exercise tights. I don't have edema, so just use them for working out.

Regarding compression socks, I have a fairly nice stash of thigh high TED hose (toeless) that I acquired post various surgeries in my past. They are difficult to put on; must be washed, wrung out and hung up to dry but they seem to “fit the bill” when support and compression is needed. The price was right too. Did not need to be purchased separately, was part of the outrageous hospital bill. I remember helping my parents, my in-laws and their friends put these on during LONG periods of nursing home & rehab stays for various reasons. (The paid CNA’s were overworked, underpaid and couldn’t be bothered with this task of the care plans. I put myself through college and grad school as a CNA.)