Stepping Up The Pressure: IPCT Two / Four

Stepping Up The Pressure: IPCT Two / Four

Two days after my initial appointment, I returned for the second session of my two-week compression drainage therapy. The process was very similar to the first. My previous compression wrap was carefully removed and I began another 30-minute session with the pneumatic compression machine.

However, this time there was a notable change. The pressure setting on the machine was increased from 30 mmHg to 40 mmHg (millimetres of mercury). This higher pressure meant a tighter, more intense compression, aligning with the level of a Class 3 compression garment which I already wear daily. Although it felt noticeably firmer, the treatment was still pain-free and manageable.

Following the session, I was measured for a new Class 3 daytime compression garment to wear once this treatment phase is complete. In addition, I was fitted for a night-time compression garment which is something entirely new for me. This means I’ll soon be wearing compression 24 hours a day for at least 8 weeks and possibly longer if it proves beneficial.

To finish, my leg was re-wrapped with a new, tighter bandage that feels more secure than the previous one. It seems like it will hold its shape better and loosen less with everyday movement. The clinic also provided me with a pair of surgical scissors, just in case the compression becomes too tight or causes numbness. If that happens, I’ve been instructed to carefully remove the wrap myself.

This session feels like a clear step forward, not just in pressure, but in progress. I'm slowly moving from passive management into proactive treatment and it's giving me more hope for what’s to come.

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