varicose veins and such

SeaMaiden · ‎03-10-2010

I have a lot of veins on my legs... not a pretty site.... always have had vein issues even when much younger.... and now 64 years old, some are starting to bother me.

I have a cluster of big veins on the front on my right shin that make my leg ache. I have a cluster on my right calf that itch terribly. I have never gone to see anyone about this.

Have any of you dealt with such issues and who did you go see to remedy it?

I always take supplements for veins.... have tried Lessmans formula. Nothing really seems to make a difference.

alicedee · ‎07-25-2010

@SeaMaiden I think people inherit a tendency to get varicose veins. Perhaps one or both of your parents had them too? I know my Dad had some that bothered him, but he never did anything about them.

I only had one that ran along the inside of my calf on one leg...it looked ugly, and when it got to the point where it "stung" when I walked a lot, I decided to have it "stripped". I went to a vascular surgeon, and they numbed the area and threaded a long needle-like thing through my leg and kinda yanked it to a place where it would dissolve, if I remember correctly. I had to wear a support stocking for a few weeks afterward. It was a bit expensive...around $1500 for the one vein...my insurance paid a portion.

I have to say..I wasn't expecting the procedure to be painful, but it was. I probably would never have it done again, unless it was causing detriment to my health to ignore a bad vein(s). When I told the Dr. it hurt he said, "Oh yeah, I've had old men almost dance off the table when I'm doing this." That was NOT comforting lol!

It did heal up nicely and my leg looks fine now. If you have insurance and a high tolerance to discomfort (during the procedure) then I think you'd be happy with it.

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

Insurance will pay for vein removal if it causes pain and discomfort. But most insurance will not pay for the removal based on a cosmetic reason. There are different procedures done to remove veins and it mostly depends on the size of them.

SeaMaiden · ‎03-10-2010

@alicedee Thankyou for your post. Most helpful. I will probably go see a vascular doctor and see what he suggests.

alicedee · ‎07-25-2010

@SeaMaiden wrote:
@alicedee Thankyou for your post. Most helpful. I will probably go see a vascular doctor and see what he suggests.

Good luck. Mine was done about 4 years ago....they may have improved the process since then, too.

Shelbelle · ‎03-09-2010

My friend went to a vascular specialist, no procedures were done, but he told her to wear compression stockings.

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

@SeaMaiden

Around here there are special 'vein clinics' where they do what we are discussing here. You might check and see if there are any in your area. There are both national and local institutes for that.

SeaMaiden · ‎03-10-2010

@Shelbelle wrote:
My friend went to a vascular specialist, no procedures were done, but he told her to wear compression stockings.

@Shelbelle I have been wearing the compression stockings for years ..the knee high ones. ... suddenly they started to make my legs hurt and swell. They were bothering the areas were I have the veins. Had to stop wearing them.

MJDinVegas · ‎04-04-2014

Hi, @SeaMaiden ! Me again! I've had the issues with veins in both legs and, while we were living on the Big Island, went to the Bailey Vein Inṣtitute in Kamuela. I was having pain and cramps, usually in the middle of the night. They evaluated me and I did what insurance required, eg, trying compression socks, which didn't work. Finally got approved by insurance to have the offending veins (2 in each leg; I was blessed with 4 in each) removed. Problem solved, pain and cramps gone. Also gone, the unsightly protrusions of the veins on my legs. Totally worth it.