Generalized pain when wearing compression garments

I have gotten to the point that I really need to wear compression garments especially on my thighs and upper arms, because they flop around so much that it actually makes my hips and shoulders hurt.

My problem is that after a few hours I start getting a bit achy. After 4 hours I am in sever over all pain and mild nauseous. Then, so after, I start having trouble walking and get really bad neck shoulder and back pain. Everything resolves an hour or so after I take them off.

I decided to walk from one hospital campus to another for a meeting and then walk back to my office (about 3 miles total) when this last happened. Walking got so difficult that I had to get a Lyft driver to pick me up in the middle of a bridge.

I do have RA and a "nonspacific" inflammatory autoimmune disorder. I haven't been able to tolerate a blood pressure cuff on my upper arm for years and couldn't wear long Ted hose after my joint replacements. But that pain is nothing compared to what's happening now. My PCP doesn't have a clue... I suspect he thinks I'm getting g a bit loony.

Yes, I already know I can just stop wearing them, but the flapping skin brings it's own set of problems.

Has this happened to anyone else? What can be done?

Have you tried wearing a size larger? It would not provide the same amount of compression, but it should still do something to lessen the jiggle.

I found Flexees to be much more comfortable than Spanx. Have you tried different materials?

Yes. They are light compression and a size larger than the size chart.

Going up another size might be useful.

If your PCP doesn't know, it's time to try another doctor.

You should talk to a Dr about it. If for nothing else to start documenting how many issues the skin is creating for you so you can hopefully get insurance to pay for the removal at some point.

If I go up another size I won't have any compression at all.

My PCP is the most competent and caring doctor I have had in 30 years. He has advocated for my best interest, including facing the state medical board about my narcotic use after being reported by the idiot "case manager" at our insurance company.

Sadly liking a doctor doesn't always mean that they have the answers to all of our problems.

Well ask for a referral to a specialist? Your symptoms are not normal and if you keep losing it is only going to get worse.

By any chance, do you have fibromyalgia?

I ask this because you mentioned that you have RA -- and it is often co-morbid with fibromyalgia. The problem that I have found with fibromyalgia, is that is often overlooked and has a myriad of odd symptoms that are easy to fluff off as just random idiosyncrasies of being a bit "looney"... or because it's most often found in women.

I was dx'd with fibro when I was 13 -- it was a relatively unknown diagnosis at the time -- and frankly, pretty synonymous with "all in her head" I had always thought that a lot of the odd things about the pain, over-sensitivity to some touch/tender spots, etc were a result of either my weight or a trauma I survived -- and sort of put the dx off to the side. However, I have been dx'd multiple times since then -- although I don't do anything to actually treat the symptoms.

ANYHOW -- one of the odd things about my experience with fibro is that some clothes and materials really cause me undue pain. I had thought I was just weird or had some form of sensory processing issue -- but really, I've come to find out it is part of that DX. One thing that really causes me great discomfort is any poly binding material -- such as "shape wear" that you are describing. I found this out while waiting for my hernia repair. My hernia was horrendous -- it was like an alien head coming out from the center of my abdomen at it's worst point -- and I was prescribed a binder. It wasn't strong enough and it really bothered me a lot -- thus the surgeon suggested to try a waist cinch. Some people call it a waist trainer -- anyhow, the support was unbelievably wonderful. It held my insides it -- and that was such a relief! BUT, like you described, within a couple of hours I felt horribly sick. All my joints would ache, my head would throb and I felt faint. Sometimes, the pain over my neck and shoulders was so unbearable, that I almost considered that I was having a heart attack!

The first time this happened, I chalked it up to everything BUT the waist cinch. But, after several times of this experience, there was no denying it's connection. Then I thought perhaps I was cutting off a blood supply or something -- I mean I did have an alien head coming out of my stomach. Long story short -- nope -- it's really common with people who have fibromyalgia -- and even now -- with a flat stomach after a repaired hernia -- anything of a mostly polyester material -- especially that thicker firm type that is any bit tight around me will give me that reaction.

Overall, I am pretty lucky -- I don't really have any need to wear any shape wear -- and I have been lucky enough to find pieces that have a soft cotton blend (think of something closer to CuddleDud feel) rather than the pure poly spandex type when I do -- so I must have a milder form of this issue. Maybe look into something buttery soft such as lularoe type leggings rather than what you are using -- or of that ilk -- and see if that doesn't solve your issue?

But more, perhaps consider looking into whether fibromyalgia may be something to check into for yourself.

Here's just a random article -- hope it helps to know you are not alone in this experience.

-- https://www.verywell.com/fibromyalgia-clothing-pain-715962