Review: Sigvaris Doff n Donner.

[Image: Photo of the Sigvaris Doff n Donner. To the left of the photo is the fluid-filled and corrugated beige Doff n Donner 'doughnut'. To the right is the taller black and red cone part of the device. Photo source.]

This is not a sponsored post. I purchased my Sigvaris Doff n Donner from my local Access Rehabilitation Equipment store last year. They can be purchased directly from Sigvaris stores and online from most of the larger compression stocking retailers.

I would strongly suggest anyone interested in the device ask their local distributor to get one in for them to try. If possible get a Sigvaris rep familiar with the product and proficient in its use to give you a demo and instruct you on how to use it with your personal stocking. 

And to get the laughs out of the way. Yes, it looks phallic. And yes it looks suss putting the stocking on. My youngest son was giggling hysterically when he accompanied me to trial the product.

Putting on compression stockings is difficult. There is no pretending otherwise. The higher the compression the more the difficulty increases. If you have poor dexterity, weakened hands, joints that sublax or dislocate, a bad back or a host of other medical issues getting compressions stockings on and off can be problematic and exhausting.

On a personal level, I have popped finger joints, punched myself in the face, and grunted and groaned while writhing on my bed trying to put them on. I've tried various techniques and used various donners, but still somedays popping them on is simply beyond me. On occasion, my husband, Mr Grumpy, helps but as my weakened legs frequently offer little resistance it ends up more hapless Mr Bean skit as he applies a little pressure and instead of applying the stocking my whole leg moves backwards or bends up again and again, than actual effective donning.

At the end of the day I am faced with the problem of removal. While I can get the top of my thing highs rolled down to about an inch above my knee the rest frequently remains beyond me. I often hassle Mr Grumpy back into action to help in their removal while I try and grip onto something so as to not slide forward as he attempts to pull them off my legs. Yet another Mr Bean skit in the making as I move in unison with the stockings thus falling off the bed or lounge.

I spotted the Sigvaris Doff n Donner in an advertisement last year and was intrigued by the design and apparent ease of use. My local rehabilitation store ordered in the Doff n Donner for me to try out (something I recommend as it is a substantial financial investment). After a demonstration and trial, I decided to purchase the Doff n Donner and brought it home. I've had it for about 6 months now so thought it was a great time to review not only it's ease of use, but it's usefulness over time.

Product:

The Sigvaris Doff n Donner comes in two parts that can be purchased separately: A cone and the Doff n Donner (DND) itself.

The cone is made of smooth black plastic, flaring at the base and has a suction cup that allows it to fix onto a flat clean surface with a silver lever to lock it in place. There are two red strips of material extending down the cone to provide some grip to hold the stocking.

The (DND) is a squishy fluid-filled silicone "doughnut". The stocking is rolled onto the DND to both don and remove stItsngs. It's texture reminds me of some of my children's old squishy and wobbly toys.

It is suitable with "calf stockings and A-G thigh high stockings with/without grip top in all sizes and compression classes as well as open or closed toe" (Source)

Trial:

I tried the product in the store with the help and instruction of the assistant, again with a Sigvaris rep who came to the rehabilitation store and here at home now for approximately 6 months.

Results:
In Sigvaris branded products I wear a Small Long, closed toe, thigh high, in 20-30mmHg, and equivalent in other brands. It was in using these that I base my opinion regarding the product. If you use a different sized stocking or compression level you may have another experience, although as mentioned above neither size nor compression should matter.

Technique is everything with this product and will make or break its usefulness. There are a number of videos from both Sigvaris and various sellers as well as a small instructional leaflet and none of them really give enough information for the average user. Having used the product for months now all I can think is that the stockings used in the videos are of a larger size and lighter compression than what I use and/or the demonstrators have no level of disability or reduced functioning, as it is yet to be as easy as is shown in the videos.

There is simply no way that the stockings I use can be easily lifted over the DND as shown in the video below. Neither the assistant in the store nor my husband were able to manoeuvre the stocking as shown, though using a larger stocking the Sigvaris rep was more successful. The rep did give me some alternative tips which I have been using but are not covered in any of the official videos.



[Video: this instructional video from Sigvaris demonstrates how to use the Doff n Donner for both knee-high and thigh-high compression stockings.]

My stockings cling tightly to the cone and are still tight at the base when stretched over the cone. This makes them difficult to gather onto the DND. Even following the videos and watching the rep demonstrate the product (she was also lovely enough to let me video her so I could rewatch her technique at home) I still have difficulty at times. These days I can mostly get them on, but on days of weakness, or when my finger joints are particularly sublaxy I cannot use this part of the device.

However, when I do get them on the DND properly then it works a treat and it is incredibly easy to both don and remove my stockings.

Donning the stocking

The base of the cone has a suction cup that you lock in place with a small metal arm. Finding a place in my home that worked with the suction cup was difficult. It needs a very clean very smooth table top or bench to adhere properly. I note this having gone to roll the DND up and smacked myself in the face after the whole device came unstuck from my bathroom bench.

Tip: to increase adherence I wipe down the bench with a damp cloth to remove any specks of makeup, toothpaste or dust. The small amount of water also helps increase the suction. 

Placing the stocking on the cone properly is essential. The toe of the stocking needs to be firmly smoothed over the end of the cone. Take the time to smooth down the stocking over the cone, with the extra stocking bunching down around the base.

Tip: Make sure the heel of the stocking is facing you. You need to keep note of this as you roll up the stocking so you can later place it right way down as you don your stocking.

Gather the stocking up around the DND. This part is tricky with a smaller, higher strength stocking. It has taken much trial and error to get this part worked out. The DND is very mobile. This would be less problematic with a larger or low compression stocking, or a knee-high stocking. The length of the cone is perfect for a knee-high stocking, but with a thigh-high, it leaves a lot of material bunched at the base which really needs to be stretched up over the DND to be able to use the DND all the way up the thigh when donning your stocking.

Tip: make sure to tuck the top of your stocking into the inner part of the DND to make it grip as you roll it up the cone. It doesn't need much as the silicon tends to have enough friction to get it to grip with even one small section tucked in.

Once the stocking is rolled onto the DND you need to poke your fingers in push the stocking further to make the toe seam clearly out and visible. This is why it is important to know where the heel is (something I learnt the hard way early on). You should only need a little pressure to get the stocking to begin to roll over the toes and onto the foot. The fluid action of the DND allows it to flow easily over the foot, ankle and up the leg with little pressure required. While I mostly tend to bend over and feed the DND over my foot and leg I have also placed it on the floor (carpeted, you need that grip) once my toes are in and used minimal force to roll the DND over my foot and heel.

Tip: You will still need to smooth the stocking once on to ensure even compression. A pair of washing up gloves works well. Just use gentle upward strokes. Evening out your compression will also make them more comfortable to wear. 

Removing your stocking:

This part of the product is an absolute dream. You simply roll the DND back up your leg, pull down the top of the stocking down over the DND and roll. It moves like a dream down the leg. I do still find the ankle a bit tight, but I simply position my foot so the rolled DND is on the ground and pull my foot back gentle and the stocking rolls right off my foot. The stocking can then be simply unrolled from the DND.

Tip: carpet is again your friend for gripping the DND when it is at your ankle to grip as you pull your foot back. I have used it on tiles with success but carpet is much easier.

Tip: to remove the stocking from the DND I grab the toe of the stocking and shake, letting the weight of the DND help to unroll the stocking.

Tip: make sure your clothing is clear of the DND and stockings as it grabs everything. I have caught my clothes in the DND time and again.

A post shared by Michelle Roger (@michelle_roger) on Oct 26, 2017 at 1:17am PDT

[Video: short video of Michelle sitting at her kitchen table removing her stockings with the Doff n Donner. She wears a green and black dress and her stockings are black and white batik compression stockings from Juzo. She removes the stocking quickly and with little effort. At the end of the video, she jiggles the stocking and Doff n Donner to separate the two.]

Verdict:

The Sigvaris Doff n Donner is unlike any other donning products on the market and the unique design has many pluses.

It removes stockings like an absolute dream. I love this aspect. It means I can remove my stockings when my husband isn't home to help and anything that increases independence is a plus in my book. Given that by the end of the day my energy levels are pretty much non-existent, I'd say this product is excellent for removing my stockings.

But it also has problems.

The price. A comparison of prices from various outlets is relatively consistent with the $157 I paid here in Australia for both pieces. This is a significant outlay for users who are more likely to be on limited incomes. Like all disability-related products, cost can reduce accessibility.

While the cone is designed to be used with both knee and thigh-high stockings it feels too short for thigh-highs and the bunching of stocking material at the bottom makes it difficult to stretch up adequately onto the DND (especially on a smaller, higher compression stocking). Having also practised with a knee-high I can say that this worked really well in comparison and was far easier, ie worked as advertised. While for storage the compact size is better, perhaps a telescopic option that can extend the cone for a thigh-high might be a consideration for any future design revisions.

The suction cup relies on a completely smooth and clean surface. It doesn't maintain suction on other surfaces. Even my gloss paint coffee table was not sufficient. I was left with my bathroom bench as the only place in my house I could achieve suction, which can be problematic on the days when I am unable to stand.

While I use the DND regularly to remove my stockings, I do find myself not bothering with the cone and DND to don my stockings when it doesn't work the first time around. I simply don't have the energy or patience to try it over and over on the days that I can't get the right grip from the start. The nature of my home is that I am unable to leave the cone set up, meaning I have to get it out and set it up and take it down every time it is used. And while this may seem a very small step, it can be a step too far on a particularly low energy, low strength day.

Even after all this time I have only been able to really position things enough to use the DND to just over my knee after which I simply manoeuver the lower compression material up to its correct position on my thigh (stockings provided graded compression which is strongest at the ankle and decreases as the material goes up the leg). This can be problematic. While getting a stocking over the ankle is frequently the most difficult area, many patients will require the DND to work all the way up the thigh as they are unable to pull the stockings up that far, especially if they wish to don them independently.

Like many disability devices, this product seems more targeted to non-disabled carers and all the instructional or product videos are shown by demonstrators who have no visible disability. It often seems that there is an expectation that those requiring compression garments are more likely to have a carer rather than live independently. Admittedly, the product does say it is for "wearers themselves" but given my experience, and many reviews I have read, I would suggest that you still need to have a significant level of functionality to be able to use the product as demonstrated.

Personally, I want products that increase my independence.  

The Sigvaris Doff n Donner partially meets this brief. 

Since purchase, I have found a number of instructional videos of people who purchase only the DND (both pieces can be purchased separately) and use their arm to roll the stocking onto the device. This works surprisingly well. My only issue with this technique is that I am unable to hold my arm up long enough to do it well or often. But it may be an option for those with better upper arm strength.



[Video: a short demonstration video from Sigvaris using the DND portion of the device on an arm (no cone) to roll up a compression stocking.]

Would I buy the product again?

The DND potion 100% yes, being able to take my stockings off so easily is brilliant. It means I am no longer reliant on my husband to help, especially important when he is working nights and I am home alone to try and manage their removal. Having been caught out by myself with them partially and haphazardly rolled down, causing excessive painful compression, knowing I can now easily remove them by myself is a relief. This part of the product is simple and easy to use. Perfect for increasing independence.

The cone I am unsure. When it works well it is brilliant. When it doesn't it is nothing but frustration. With technique so important especially with smaller and higher compression thigh-highs the available instructional videos are useless. They simply don't reflect the reality. One on one instruction from someone experienced with their use is essential (thank you again to the Sigvaris rep who was very patient and allowed me to video her technique) otherwise the device is simply expensive frustration. I do also think some form of telescopic extension for longer stockings would increase the ease of use.

Have you used the Sigvaris Doff n Donner? I'd love to hear feedback from others.

Michelle

Sarah Vaughan's version of Shiny Stockings feels like the right musical accompaniment.

Fashionable Compression Stockings 2016 Update: Options and New Tips.

[Image: I stand in my chicken run wearing a short black dress, red cardigan and fabulous hot pink tie-dye compression stockings from the Juzo Soft range. Freyja, my Great Dane, peaks through the fence longingly while she holds her Rhode Island Red chook, Jolene. It's a beautiful sunny day.]

This is not a sponsored post  just my personal research after hours spent procrastinating looking for pretty compression stockings.

My Instagram is full of fashionable compression stockings and ways I style them.

In this post I'll only be discussing compression stockings (full pantyhose and thigh high). Compression stockings, in particular waist high 30mmHg+ are the most commonly recommended lower limb compression garment recommended for Dysautonomia patients. Some patients do find below knee compression socks provide them with therapeutic compression. However, for many patients such as myself there is a need for higher length graduated compression, especially if venous return is particularly poor (I end up with a painful compressed calf and large all round verandah of fluid-filled flesh hanging over the top like a bizarre pasty leg-shaped mushroom. Bringing sexy back, yeah!) Additionally, medical grade compression socks come in a plethora of awesome patterns and colours (check out brands such as Rejuvahealth, or even just search on Amazon or Zulily for options, or a quality sportswear company such as 2XU) so fashion options are more readily available. For those of us needing thigh high or full-length pantyhose fashion can be far harder to come by.



As I've written previously I tend to wear thigh high compression as I can no longer stand stomach compression. The fashionable options available in thigh high and waist high medical grade compression have remained limited compared to compression socks and even arm sleeves and gauntlets (check out Juzo and LympheDiva). Although there have been in improvements over the years.

When I first began looking at compression stockings back in 2007/2008 I was confronted with a catalogue at my local pharmacy which gave me the options of beige/nude, white, navy blue and black. As I was to find 'Opaque' and 'Sheer' were terms thrown on the page with wild abandon and didn't match my experience with regular fashion hosiery. Equally 'fashionable' was used to represent that the band on a pair of thigh highs had some dodgy scratchy 'lace' rather than plain black. Thankfully times have changed and fashion and compression stockings can actually coexist and thrive.

Brands such as Rejuvahealth, Juzo, Jobst, Sigvaris, Mediven, Therafirm and Bauerfeind (VenoTrain) offer a range of fashion colours and in some cases patterns, both coloured and sheer. Colours and patterns vary by season and it is worth signing up to brand newsletters, or social media accounts from some of the major compression stocking distributors such as BrightLife Direct and CompressionStockings.com to make sure you don't miss out.

Brands such as Juzo offer their colours in both an opaque and sheer option. It's important to note that Juzo colours can differ between country eg German and US colours are different and it can be worth checking out the different options to find a shade that suits your fashion needs. Therafirm even offers a Preggers line with a variety of colour options specifically for pregnancy.

Two options I hadn't come across until this year are the Bauerfeind VenoTrain Stylist (German) and the Tramps Hoisery.

Bauerfeind offer a customised option in VenoTrain Stylist, though I am yet to work out how to access that from Australia (still waiting on a reply to my email). The picture below gives you an idea of the options available, and a picture of what the end product will look like. I love the idea that we can customise compressionwear beyond height or colour. Given that for many of us compression stockings are an everyday item and will be for the foreseeable future, the idea of being able to personalise is very appealing. I'll keep you posted.

There are other brands offering fashionable compression eg Tramps (picture below) offer a 25-30mmHg waist high in Bryanna Cheetah Jacquard with thong toe in Grey and Natural (which are a similar pattern to ones offered by Rejuvahealth a few years back), but you do have to search. 

(Source)

Mediven also offer a Swarovski embellished version of their stockings in the Mediven Designs range, though they can be hard to source (the UK arm of the company offer 3 designs whilst the French arm offers 6) and I suggest contacting the company directly to see if they are sold in your particular country. Crystal embellished compression stockings have come up over the years but sourcing them has always been problematic, plus they are fairly pricey. But for a special event they'd be fantastic.

 (So cute, source)

 (UK designs)

That pesky thing called 'cost'.

Quality compressionwear is a significant financial investment. The more unique the item the more the cost. Items manufactured to specific individual measurements can be incredibly expensive. The financial burden of compressionwear continues to be a major factor for patients as not all insurance companies or government suppliers will pay for compression wear, or will only provide the most basic of styles. But there are a number of ways to cut costs.

Sign up and First purchase discounts: A number of sites will offer buyers a discount on their first purchase. These discounts can range from 15-20% which can be a considerable benefit on a tight budget.

Coupons: There are a wide range of coupon sites offering discounts for various compressionwear websites and specific brands. Simply Google coupons and the brand or company you prefer and see what comes up. Most coupons are time limited so if you find a good one get on it pronto!

Sales: Most websites will have a sale section These can provide you with considerable savings (50-70% in some cases). For example at the time of writing, Rejuvahealth have some lower strength, 15-20mmHg, patterned pantyhose down to $30US score! Get on that people. End of season colours often come up in the sales a month or two after the change over. You sometimes have to put in the hard yards and search but if you have a colour or style you like for the last season pop it in Google and see who has any left. It can be pot luck as to sizes, styles and lengths available but I've scored some bargains over the years. If you're after a pair of stockings to wear under jeans or long skirts the world's your oyster with well known sites like Zulily having reputable brands at bargain basement prices.

Shop around for postage: Postage is the nemesis of anyone living in the Southern Hemisphere. Current rates can be highly prohibitive even if the stockings themselves are a bargain. Sometimes it is worth contacting a company to see if they will take pity on us poor folk down under and be willing to wave their postage or at the least provide a discount.

Shop local: Related to the postage issue is the currency exchange rate. Our piddly little AU$ is doing it tough when ordering from OS. However, sometimes local distributors can provide a cheaper option. For example here in Australia The Appliance and Limb Centre can source Juzo Softs from both Germany and the US at a much cheaper rate than using OS suppliers at present. Always keep an eye on exchange rates. Given the uncertainty of world events such as the recent Brexit, exchange rates can change rapidly. 

You get what you pay for: There are many companies selling compression stockings for next to nothing. I saw some fabulous Beetlejuice-style black and white ones out of China for $10US be still my heart! But alas, when I contacted the company it became clear that we differed on the definition of 'compression'. With cheaper versions it is often hard to find out the exact compression rate and if the compression is graduated. Many companies wont respond or respond with automated emails with little to no detail.

Whilst compression stockings can be fashionable they are first and foremost a medical device and like any medical device you shouldn't scrimp on quality. If the compression is poorly designed it may not perform properly and can lead to problems in how fluids are returned. Remember we are buying these stockings to help with a medical problem. It is better to save up and buy one good quality pair of stockings from a reputable brand, than to have five cheap, but dodgy, pairs.

Sizing.

Brightlife Direct now have a size/brand calculator the Brightlife Direct Size Calculator which I tried out the other day. It's a great option if you are just starting out looking at compression stockings and are feeling overwhelmed at what to buy. You simply put in your measurements and style you're after and it pumps out a list of brands that may suit. To give you an idea of how it works I popped in my measurements and usual length and compression. As you can see below it suggested a number of products that may work for me. I would always recommend double checking a brands individual sizing to be sure, simply because it can be such an expensive outlay, but this is a great starting point.

For more on compression wear 

check out:

Compressions Stockings from Beige to Brilliant Guide. My basic guide to selecting and buying compressionwear. I wrote this way back in 2012 and it's still one of my most popular posts.


Below are a few reviews for different brands I have purchased over the years and a bit of a tongue in cheek post about how I style my compression stockings.

Rejuvahealth Review.

Allegro, Microfibre 20-30mmHg Black Thigh High Compression Stocking Review

LympheDiva Gauntlet Review.

Fashion blogging is not for the faint of heart

Michelle

Bringing sexy back. Sing it JT.

Compression Stocking Review: Sigvaris 712N Allure 20-30 mmHg Patterned Thigh High Compression Stockings with Lace Silicone Border in Black.

[Image: a woman from the waist down wearing a floral skirt, compression stockings and black boots, in front of her messy bedroom with clothes and shoes strewn on the floor.]

I should add this is not a sponsored post (mind you I wouldn't knock one of those back. It would be nice to be able to pay for my own coffee just once). Nor is it an exhaustive list of brands and options. Instead, it is based on my personal experience, and for those considering compression stockings either for the first time, or those tired of the regular range of stockings and looking for a bit of spice in their compression wear. Your treating doctor should be able to advise you as to whether compression stockings may be helpful for the management of your form of Dysautonomia and the strength and type of stockings you may require.

Regular readers will know of my passion for finding fashionable compressions stockings. Frankly if I have to be sick I'll be damned if I can't be fashionable. I spend way too much time online looking at compression stockings. I search for anything that is remotely patterned or coloured outside of the traditional white, beige, black or navy blue. In the mid to high range compression (20mmHg +), it can be hard to find many options. Add in that cost of more fashionable versions can be prohibitive to many, and it can be hard to find practical and fashionable options.

I love my Juzo Soft compression stockings and have been wearing them for a number of years now. I have a range of colours and a fabulous tie-dyed pair which I wear on a daily basis (I may need a Juzo Soft intervention). But while they are one of the few brands to offer a broader colour range and tie-dye options, and sheer options, they do not offer any sheer pattern options. I have tried (see review here) and quite like the options offered by Rejuvahealth's fashion range but found that my legs were too long for the brand. After some searching I discovered that Swiss company Sigvaris, offer a small range of sheer patterned stockings. last year, with a function coming up and running out of time I decided to bite the bullet and try the

Sigvaris 712N Allure Sheer Patterned Compression Stockings.

(Source: Sigvaris Allure Sheer Patterned in Graphite)

They come in two colour options: Black and Graphite.
Two Strengths: 15-20 mmHg and 20-30 mmHg
Two Heights: Thigh High and Full Pantyhose.

I chose the 20-30mmHg Closed Toe Sheer Patterned Thigh High Compression Stockings with Lace Silicone Border in Black.

They sit around the $92US mark at most online retail outlets (eg Brightlife Direct and Compressionstockings.com).

(The reinforced heel is darker but does not extend to a point where it becomes unsightly. As you can see in my ruby bow shoes above they aren't visible.)

I have now worn these stockings on a number of occasions and they have become my default pair for going out of an evening. As such they are well and truly road tested. I used to love my fishnets back before I developed Dysautonomia and these are a nice medical grade compromise.

(Obligatory Freyja shot)

They are a delicate pair of stockings. Even more so than the Rejuvahealth versions I reviewed last year. I was conscious of every rough patch of skin on my hands and spiky edge of fingernail when putting them on. Having said that I am yet to snag them yet (stumbles around touching wood).

(The band is pretty and there is a relatively smooth transition to the stocking itself.)

Each brand differs slightly in the band at the top of a thigh high stocking. The Sigvaris Allure had a reasonably smooth transition and is lighter than the Juzo Soft and Allegro products I've tried. It helps to keep the overall delicate feel of the stocking itself.

(A comparison of the silicone border of the Sigvaris (left) which is fine lines and Rejuvahealth (Right) which are dots similar to the Juzo Soft. You can also see the length difference in the pairs. Sigvaris are great length for long legs.)

(The toe is darker but transitions well. My feet are small for my height so they didn't stretch out the foot a lot so it was noticeably darker in the lower portion of the foot. 

It's a problem I've found with every brand I've tried.)

(Obligatory Freyja shot:
Dress is from Lazybones,
Shoes are Rivers,
Necklace and bracelet I've had for years.)

The Verdict:

I like them and continue to wear them though they do have some issues:

They have not maintained their original compression and are reasonably easy to get on now. They still provide more compression than say a 15-20mmHg pair but are noticeably laxer. Given their price point and that I have only worn them on special occasions, probably 8-10times at the most and only a few hours each time, I would have expected that they would have maintained their compression level.

The silicon top feels more precarious than initially, although they are yet to fall down. I haven't had a skin reaction to the silicone lines so far (stumbles around touching wood once more). I mention this as off and on I have had a reaction to the Juzo Soft silicone dots. 

After going over both stockings with a fine tooth comb I only found two tiny pulls. As such their delicate feel belies their durability. I live with a very touchy feely Great Dane and am unsteady and bump into things and fall on a regular basis when I'm not using my wheelchair, so they have been through a few trials.

The black dots are starting to fray a little but not worryingly so.

They have been washed multiple times in a lingerie bag on a cold setting in my washing machine using a sensitive washing powder.

They are a decent length if you have long legs. They are of a length comparable with Juzo Softs, and much longer than both Rejuvahealth and Allegro brands,

As you can see from the chart below they do have a short and long option.

Overall, I would buy them again, but only for use as a special occasion compression stocking.

Jobst do a similar version, the Jobst UltraSheer Pattern 20-30mmHg Thigh High Compression Stockings with Silicone Dot Boarder which comes in two colour options Black and Espresso. They fall in roughly the same price bracket as the Sigvaris. I haven't tried these so can't comment on how well they work or stand up over time.

(Source: Jobst UltraSheer Pattern in black.)

Michelle

For more on compression wear you can check out:

Compressions Stockings from Beige to Brilliant Guide.

Rejuvahealth Review.

Allegro, Microfibre 20-30mmHg Black Thigh High Compression Stocking Review

LympheDiva Gauntlet Review.

Fashion blogging is not for the faint of heart

These reviews are always exhausting with the putting on and off of compression stockings and the up and down, getting dressed fighting off clingy Great Danes and warm Summer weather. But it's done! Now to collapse on the couch.

I've been listening to Sarah Blasko all day and I always have a wry laugh when I hear the lyrics "we wont run" as I haven't run in a looooong time.

We won't run, we can fight

All that keeps us up at night

There is far to go now

Let's not waste a minute more

LympheDIVAs Compression Gauntlet Review

Compression garments and Dysautonomia go hand-in-hand. From stockings, to stop the blood pooling in our legs, to stomach binders to try and stop the abdominal pooling that can leave you looking like are about to pop out a baby. Some even resort to a full body g-suit. Your choice of compression garment will depend on where you pool and how bad your pooling has become. But in all cases it's about minimising the symptoms that result from pooling and being able to stay upright for longer.

My legs have always been the biggest source of pooling hence my focus has been primarily on stockings (for a list on my tips for buying compression stockings, including a couple of the main distributors/brands see here). However, the last year or so I have been having more pooling in my hands. My right hand in particular. And it has been painful. I do my hand exercises, I massage the worst spots but overall it is getting worse.

All of this led me to consider the purchase of a compression gauntlet. After much indecision I decided to purchase a gauntlet from LympheDIVAs, who have an amazing selection of colours and patterns available. I have been impressed with their fashionable range for a number of years now, and have often lamented the fact that they do not also make make compression stockings. As such they ticked my two requirements, medical grade compression and, the often elusive, fashion element.

Like all compression wear these are not cheap. I managed to find a gauntlet in the style I wanted as an end of line/no return product on compressionstockings.com but even then it was still $62 AUD. Not a small investment.

I decided on a LympheDIVAs, Small, Right-handed, 20-30mmHg (Class I) gauntlet, in Deco.

The verdict:

I so wanted to say I loved this product, but, I'll have to say I was underwhelmed by both quality and fit. And somewhat disappointed, as I had been excitedly awaiting it's arrival. (Yes, new compression wear excites me. I may need to get out more.) I'd been looking forward to trialling it and hoped I could report back that it was well worth the money. But for this sample I'd have to say I wish I'd paid full price so I could return it.

Sizing:

Sizing is so important with compression wear. It can also be problematic if you are not a typical size. Even with regards to compression stockings, issues such as bunching and length are common. Additionally, with wear, compression can loosen, hence manufacturers recommend replacing every 6 months.

I thought myself a savvy buyer of compression wear, but alas I was caught out. I followed the directions on the LympheDIVAs site for measurements. I measured twice myself and then had a family member measure to triple check. My measurements fell in to the Small sizing on all three measurements. But my spindly wrists disagree. Even with a Small sizing the wrist portion of the gauntlet is extremely loose and bunches up. It also feels quite bulky compared to the rest of the material. It is only at about 2 inches below my wrist and well into my palm that I can feel the compression.

Compression elsewhere is comfortably firm. Given I have been wearing 20-30mmHg stockings for a number of years now, the pressure on my hand is not worrying. Similar to compression stockings the pressure effect fades after about 30min and I noticed little beyond some restriction of movement. Even after a full days wear it was still comfortable. 

Quality:

The print/colour is patchy. The primary top hand portion is much like the photos on the website, however the underside and thumb portion down to the wrist of the print are not consistent and has visible lines in the colour. The edging above my knuckles and at the wrist are smooth, however the same cannot be said of the thumb portion which was rough and unfinished. Similarly, the seams on the thumb, whilst expected, are very visible, particularly against the darker pattern of the fabric and rough. Given the price of the garment I would expect a higher quality of workmanship. 

I do have problems with seamed compression garments eg I can't wear a lot of the sporting compression brands as the seams leave me sore and bruised, but the seams on the gauntlet have been okay so far. There are brands that are seamless which may be of interest for those with sensitive skin (eg Jobst and Solidea).

(I thought initially that the lines going from thumb to wrist, were from folds but they are printed onto the fabric. With lighter patches in the block colour up in the junction of thumb and forefinger, wear the dye seems not to have taken.)

(Bunching at the wrist can be seen easily in this picture. And the rough thumb seam, especially at the ball of my thumb.)

(The wrist band is very loose and there is essentially no compression or even firmness for this and the bottom part of my palm.)

(The hemming of the thumb portion is quite rough and uneven. It had hard bundles of loose threads which I needed to remove before wear.)

But the big question is “Does it work?”:

The simple answer is, yes. Although it is hard to tell if I am getting the full benefit given the looseness of the lower hand and wrist portion. The painful swelling I have been experiencing, particularly in the top of my hand is lessened considerably. It is important to note that with good fit over my knuckles I had no issues with blood flow to my fingers, ie no swelling or discolouration, even after a full days wear.

I will continue to wear the gauntlet, given I purchased it knowing it was a no return item I need to get my moneys worth. And even a small improvement in the engorgement in my hand, and associated pain, is a good outcome.

I should add the product has wicking technology which draws away perspiration, which may be important for those who have hyperhydrosis. As I have anhidrosis I was unable to test this feature even though we are in the middle of a heatwave here in Australia.

My tips:

If you have the ability go to a store that sells the gauntlets, head in and view them in person. As someone who cannot easily get to the shops I rely on Internet shopping, but given this experience I would try and make my way to a distributor to see the product and try them on. I did attempt what I thought was my due diligence with 3 measurements, and reviewing the products on both the parent site and others, but in this case it was not enough.

If buying online, I would ensure that I could return the product if it didn't meet my expectations or was faulty. (If in Australia: I was also caught out in that the return policy was restricted to "from 30 days of purchase", given I didn't receive my gauntlet until after 30 days, my return policy was already null and void had this been an option). Admittedly, I may have become a little complacent given I have had no problems before, despite years of buying compression wear online.

If you are even slightly outside of normal it may pay to have a custom product created. I have long skinny arms with the wrists of a 10-year-old girl, it would seem this is not the norm, though I would have expected better fit given my measurements were within the Small sizing. If considering an armsleeve or more gauntlets in the future I would head down this route next time. 

*This site has a fantastic round up of tips and information about compression armsleeves and guantlets. Well worth a read before purchasing an upper limb garment.*

Compression wear of any type are an expensive investment. When money is tight, as it is when you are chronically ill, you have to be incredibly judicious in how it is spent. You want the most bang for your very limited buck. Sadly, despite my high hopes, this gauntlet did not match with it's price.

I did note from reading on the LympheDIVAs website that they are looking at reviewing sizing and even considering custom compression wear in the future. They also welcome feedback so I have penned an email and sent it off to the company. I am impressed that they are looking at introducing custom options, though I do wonder if the additional cost on an already expensive product, will make them prohibitive to many.

I do give LympheDIVAs a huge high five for introducing colour and pattern to the compression market which seems to have an unhealthy obsession with bland. It is the primary feature which drew me to their products initially.

I would be interested to hear from others who have purchased a gauntlet from LympheDIVAs or other brands. Did you encounter similar issues? Did you go down the customised route or buy mass produced? How many have moved onto upper limb compression?

Michelle :)