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Varicose Veins

GrantGam

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,603
Location
Scotland
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello everyone!

Just wanting to know if anyone here has had treatment for varicose veins? I was lucky enough to start getting these when I was just 18 and they're a bit of a pain... They do get a little uncomfortable when I'm standing for long periods (such as at work) and the like, but they're mainly just an eyesore and something that I don't want to have for obvious reasons.

Cheers,
Grant
 
My husband got his first (and only) v vein at around 18 yrs old, when he was standing all day at work.
He saw a doc who shrugged and said there was nothing to be done.

Some 25 hears later, I suggested he see his doc again, because there was bruising and discolouration on the leg.
This doc took one look and referred him. Within 3 months he had a day surgery operation, a prescription to 'walk a lot' and 3 weeks off work with his leg raised if he wasn't 'walking a lot'.

No recurrence in the 8 years since.

I can only assume that years of blood pooling in his v vein caused leakage.

Having done a bit of online reading on the subject, I got the distinct impression that v veins benefit from early treatment, which is suggested in the NICE guidelines, but since the NHS is strapped for cash, v veins tend to be ignored until they need urgent treatment.
 
I inherited varicose veins from my mother. She had all her extensive ones removed surgically well over 50 years ago and never had a recurrence. I have left mine alone. They are in the upper part of one leg. They did used to ache but now they don't seem to very much, and appear to have shrunk in size. (In the amount they protrude) I can only think this is by low carbing.
 
Likewise, although my Mum doesn't have them bad - her father (my Granda) had chronic varicose veins.

I think I'll take a trip to my GP when I'm back from work and see what can be done about them. Given that early intervention is recommended, I think it would be wise move. Thanks for pointing that out @Brunneria
 
I have had one vein ligated (I thinks that's the proper word) by a vascular specialist in my left leg in 1974, the vein was tied off every 50 mm down my leg from my knee to the ankle. This was done to help my blood circulation in that leg in keeping a ulcerated leg from breaking out again. A couple of weeks in the PA hospital in Brisban to heal up before they let me loose.

I have had smaller veins done in my right leg by another vascular specialist with sclerotherapy which also went well. This was done in the day surgery unit at the local hospital.
 
Thanks for the reply.

How did you find the most recent treatment?
 
GrantGam said:
Thanks for the reply.

How did you find the most recent treatment?
Click to expand...
The shlerotherapy was great just a series of injections into the vein, then pressure was put on the vein he just injected and then bandaged firmly. then he move up the vein and rinse and repeat.

Bandage was on for a week till the next visit to him.

I now wear Jobst pressure stockings with a inner liner and a outer stocking which zips up the side.

Here's a link to Jobst website re the pressure stockings. http://www.jobst.com/mainnavigation/products/jobstr-ulcercare.html
 
GrantGam said:
Given that early intervention is recommended, I think it would be wise move. Thanks for pointing that out @Brunneria
Click to expand...


I would double check the NICE guidelines to make sure that I am right.
I was doing that reading about 8 years ago, and I know the NICE guidelines have been updated since then, so you might find they have altered their recommendations.

But good luck with your appointment.
 
I had my first foot check yesterday and the nurse asked if I had any questions, I said should I be concerned about Varcoise Veins as I have one that runs up my knee and round my thigh and she said no. I just thought if you have to be careful with your feet and this is my leg! Anyway she said no concern needed . I hope shes right.
 
Thanks a lot for the info Back home on Wednesday so will look at getting an appointment soon after. Would be good to get them looked at (and hopefully treated) sooner rather than later.
 
GrantGam said:
Thanks a lot for the info Back home on Wednesday so will look at getting an appointment soon after. Would be good to get them looked at (and hopefully treated) sooner rather than later.
Click to expand...
I made a mistake in my previous post, it should be he injected, pressure, bandage then move DOWN the vein I put up.

He need three pairs of hands in the treatment area. I held the bandage at one stage then passed it back to the sister so she could wind it down where the Doc still had pressure on on the vein.
 
I have them , ankles are the worst pain wise , If I miss my 1 hour walking daily then really bad.
 
As @Tipetoo mentioned, these are common procedures but (at least in Australia) can be expensive. Go do it as it works
 
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