varicose veins anyone?

[buckeyegirl]

Hi there ladies!

So, it's hell being old....I've been fortunate enough to inherit my mother's genes regarding spider/varicose veins on my legs. The spider veins do bother me to some degree, but I'm getting a rather large bulging varicose vein on my left leg that cosmetically is bothering me, but it's starting to ache as well.

I went to a "vein specialist" yesterday for a screening, and am considering having it treated. Of course, for insurance purposes, I need to try conservative therapy first for 3 months ( the compression stockings - yippee...)

Anyone have any experience having varicose veins treated/removed? Sounds like they do it on an outpatient basis with laser ablation of the vein. Sounds scary, but I'm considering it and wanting input wherever I can get it. Oh, and no crossing my legs...yah, right - do you know how difficult it is to untrain yourself of that?!

Thanks!
Heidi

 

[RunninTeach]

Heidi,

Thanks for posting on this issue. I have not been treated for it, but in the past year so, I have developed a bulging vein in one of my calves. It's not always prominent but seems to really "pop" when I'm working out.

Do you have to wear the stocking all day every day?

 

[Boingo1]

Yep, I also "inherited" them, and with being pregnant 3 times and being a nurse, they are VERY prominent in a BUNCH of places on my legs. As in bulging/not pretty.

I'm a chicken#*$% when it comes to doctors and surgery though (I think that comes with being a nurse), so I opted for the stockings. I don't wear them too much in the summer. But I wear them for working and in the cooler weather. I think they (the stockings) help with the discomfort, but not so much the "bulging". Unless maybe the prevent new ones from forming?

I do know nurses who have had them treated, and they say that more than usual, they come back.

 

[tma211]

Me too - thanks Mom. My mom just had one leg done in July and she has had great success. She is going for her other leg this month. Since hers were so bad she did have a very large one removed completely. I don't know the exact name of the procedure but it was done by making small almost pin size incisions every few inches where the vein was pulled through. Sounds awful, I know but she said she has absolutley no marks at all. At the same time they did Vnus closure procedure on other veins which I believe uses radio waves that collapse the veins. She just turned 65 so medicare paid for it.

I am going to go for a consultation for the Vnus Closure procedure as soon as I stop procrastinating. I am definitely self conscious wearing shorts in the summer.

Tracy

 

[Donnysgirl]

Hi there Buckeye Girl!

I too have the dreaded spider veins inherited from my Mom's side of the family. I've had them since I was in my 20's but every year they get worse. Mine don't cause me any pain though and I've never looked into getting them treated. I'd sure like to hear about what your doctor has to say though. Maybe I'll changed my mind.

Sharon