Just to answer your question about the compression stockings, the ones I have a called Jobst Opaque. They're apparently available in various colours and models, but mine are knee-high, black ones. They've been really helpful to reduce the swelling, and at the moment I'm using only them - no medication anymore. I might still need the medication again if the problem comes back, but for now this works.

These stockings are quite comfortable as well. In fact, for me they're better than regular socks, because regular socks tend to roll and nearly come off during the day, but these ones at least stay in place. Getting them on is the hard part, though - but I do it with the thingy that's pictured in this post. I don't do it quite like she describes it, though - I pull the stocking higher up so that it covers the whole yellow cloth bit before I put my foot in. It's the only way I've found that works for me. I know there are other items available to help with pulling on compression stockings, but this is the only one I'm comfortable using. I guess you have to "learn the technique" for that specific item that you choose to use, though.