You can usually pick up a basic pair at Walgreens, CVS, or any other drugstore. Note that these will not be custom fit for you specifically, and so might be more uncomfortable than the custom-fit ones. However, these usually cost $20-30, so much cheaper. I wore basic stockings from Walgreens during my recovery.

If you're not sure if you want to wear them at all, this might be a good way to figure it out without having to spend $65+. They are very tight, and can be uncomfortable. However, early in recovery, especially, they can relieve pain and swelling, so it might be a good trade off.

Personally, I found them very helpful in early recovery. They keep the blood moving and the swelling down, kept me from getting as light-headed while walking around, and made it easier to walk and exercise. If you're having issues with pain and/or swelling, these may really be able to help a lot.

There is also a general feeling that the stockings can help prevent PTS (post thrombotic syndrome) which sometimes shows up a year or so into recovery. Studies that have been done show mixed results in this area, but if you want to err on the side of caution, then stockings are a good idea.

I agree with TossNTurn, they are a good idea. Did your doc recommend a specific compression to wear? i.e. 15-20 mmHg, 20-30 mmHg or 30-40 mmHg. Knee high vs thigh high. The next step would be to measure your legs to ensure proper fit which you could find demonstrated online or have it done at a medical supply store.

Everybody has their own favorite brand/type. I tried several brands initially including Truform (most uncomfortable and the cheapest, I couldn't wear them and I wouldn't recommend them), Juzo (which was ok), Sigvaris and I finally found the most comfortable with "Mediven Comfort". I buy mine from foryourlegs.com. I found that site to be the cheapest and they provide free shipping. Even cheaper than the drugstore. There are often sales on top of the reduced prices. My insurance doesn't cover them but I have to wear them and they do last 6 months. Knee high will of course be cheaper than thigh high. If you were prescribed a higher compression and you just can't tolerate them, you could ask your doc if a lower compression would be acceptable, which would also be cheaper.

My dr said between 15-20 for compression and to get theigh high type. I am just in sticker shock over the prices. I have no pain in my leg or lightheadedness. I am on my feet at work anywhere from 7-10 hours a day. It starts to swell by mid afternoon. only really notice it when I get to take my shoes and socks off at nighttime. Not sure how I will tolerate them at all as I cant stand things beign tight on me to begin with.
Thank you for your comments and suggestions

It can definitely help with the swelling, assuming you can tolerate it. Not everyone can.

They're not tight like a tight pair of jeans. It's a different kind of tight. Think of how it feels on your legs to wear a pair of tights. I would imagine 15-20 (that's a fairly light compression) just feels like a very dense, supportive pair of tights. The key is getting the right fit and putting them incorrectly. You could buy a cheap pair at a drug store just to get a sense of the fabric and how it feels on your leg before pulling the trigger on a more expensive pair.

I understand they are not like a tight pair of jeans. I cant even stand thermal underwear or nylons when I have to wear them. I will be looking into a cheaper pair at first to see how I can tolerate them before taking the jump to expensive pair. I know the lower end ones are not much money but when you are not working everything costs tons of money that you don't have. What little money I do have is keeping a roof over my head.

Sorry, I wasn't judging what is or isn't comfortable for you or your financial situation. I assumed when you said you were on your feet at work, that you were working but regardless, I was just trying to give you a sense of what they were like. But I agree that if they're going to drive you nuts and be uncomfortable, then it may not be worth getting them for sure.

The first question is whether you can tolerate compression stocking or not. If the answer is yes, then the general advice is to use the highest compression that one can tolerate but at the same time be comfortable. I use compression of knee high 30-40HG, and this generally recommended. Unless you had your DVT very high up the leg (e.g.groin and above) I would recommend knee high stockings. I find that the tigh high stocking roll down and bundle behind the knee, which is very annoying. Furthermore, even though you had your DVT in the thigh, knee high stockings is in most cases enough. The reason for the compression stocking is to reduce sweeling due to blood pooling in the lowest part of the leg (i.e. ankle and upwards) . In other words, the blood pooling form a DVT in the thigh takes place in the ankle and upwards but (generally) not iin the thigh itself.

The actual effectiveness of compression stockings to reduce PTS is not clear. It is however clear that they reduce DVT related symptoms. So, what stockings to use is a bit of a trial and error. It is also a question of being in stockings that make you comfortable but at the same time keep the symptoms down. As an example, compression stocking of 40-50 HG will surely "squeeze" your legs pretty well, but may make your life unbearable. I understand that you cannot simply buy endless number of stockings until you find the "golden formula" (and there is probably none). I would thus try 30-40 HG knee high. If these are too thigh, then go for 20-30 HG. There is no conclusive evidence of the benefit of 30-40 HG over 20-30 HG compression. You may also try to be without them altogether and see what happens. If you do not get any pain or swelling, then ther eis no reason for it.

If you cannot tolerate compression sockings, but you have DVT related swelling and pains , then you may try the venowave pump http://www.venowave.com/ but thats more expensive option

Good advice from @stefan014. I would add that you might also want to consider the placement of your clot. My two DVTs are just behind and below my right knee. I'd find the knee-high stockings completely unbearable because they'd be pressing right on them. I've always used thigh-high and found those more comfortable.

Thanks TossNTurn
With repsect to the knee high stockings, then everyone is different with respect to their preferences for stockings. I have two types of stockings. One of the pairs I got (cannot remember the brand now) has somewhat stretched and they extend just above the knee cap (patella) so they bundle and did dig into back of the knee (popliteal fossa), like TossNTurn describes. This pair was so unbearably uncomfortable to use that I had to throw it away. The other stockings I use is called VenoTrain impuls by Bauerfeind. It reaches just below the knee and sits thightly on the calf. This stockings never roll down and I find it very comfortable. In other words, if you get knee thigh stockings, make sure that they do not actually reach above the knee as it will press into back of your knee which is very uncomfortable.

Personally, if I were the original poster, I'd start with the thigh highs as her doctor recommended first. There may be a reason he's suggesting thigh highs and I think the knee high can be extremely painful depending on your clot. There's no way I could have the band hitting right above, right below, or on the calf itself. It would have been too painful for me. It has been 7 years since my DVT and I still can't wear a high boot or knee socks because of pain. I can't even stand my pants rubbing on my calf sometimes which happens because it's an 1 1/2 inches larger than my non DVT calf (I just measured it the other day in fact). Jeans are hard to wear sometimes because of that. Anyway, stockings... I would start with what the doc recommends first. I think 30-40 compression is not for everyone.

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All the way!

My blood clot is in my entire upper thigh area on my left leg. I did get the compression thigh high that my dr recommended between 15-20 compression. I have had them a week so far and can feel the difference all ready. When I take them off at night I can tell quickly they are off and the same goes for it I don't put them on right away when I get up. Knock on wood so far I have not had them slide down on me. I have noticed they are very warm.
Thank you everyone for your thoughts and comments.

Happy Holidays!

Excellent! So glad you are not only able to tolerate them but that they are actually helping you. They really can offer some relief.

Thanks for the update! I'm really glad to hear that you're seeing some benefit with these, especially considering the cost.