Varicose Veins

[Bec]

I have a few lumpy varicose veins in my lower legs. They increased in size during pregnancy then went down. However I have noticed in the last 2 months they have increased in size again ( I haven't gained any weight).
I have a referral to see a specialist as some mornings my legs are aching. I only have one daughter and plan to have more kids but I am going to look into having something done ( like the needles put in them or stripped). Has anyone had anything done to their varicose veins and did it work? Should I wait till I have finished having babies ( that could a long time though)... or is it better to get these ones before they become too big and long?.... any comments from anyone?
Thanks

[Roopee]

I have terrible viens too and that Dr saud he wont toch them till i've completed my family. Said theres no real piont as they will only reappear anyway.

Good luck to you:yes:

[Busymumof3]

Have the same issue and have wanted to get them fixed but need the funds.

Had an Aunty had the needle job done only they reappeared just as bad...of course they don't reappear in the same vein as the needle basically makes the vein die...but that doesn't stop new veins from turning into varicose veins.

I saw my specialist (who was then killed 3 days later another reason I didn't have anything done yet) and he was actually going to take a few of mine right out and use the needle on the rest.

[kas3]

I recently went and saw a doctor about this. I haven't had kids yet and I was concerned that pregnancy would make mine worse.

He said that pregnancy may make them worse, but they should go back to normal - like they are now - after I've had the baby.

He said that it would be easier enough to do - they inject a chemical into the veins - but that he only does the procedure in the cooler months (March onwards) as you have to wear support stockings for two weeks afterwards. (Interestingly, he said the vv - I have about six on the back of my calves and lower thighs - would be much easier to get rid of than the spider veins I have on my right thigh.)

Since I'm hoping to fall pregnant before March, it looks like I will have to wait for my first baby to be born before I can have the procedure done.

I haven't worn shorts since I turned 19, so I'm DEFINITELY getting it done when I can :)

I'm not going to wait until I finish having children. My reasoning is that the veins they inject can't "come back" so I might as well deal with them straight away. If any more develop later, then I'll deal with them then.

regards
kas
me (32) DH (34)

[stick]

Hi Bec

I've had sclerotherapy treatment (Injection of varicose veins). I had a pretty horrid vein that ran from the top of my thigh, all the way down to the middle of the front of my calf. It was bulging pretty bad, and was causing a fair bit of pain in my leg. I went along to see a Vascular Surgeon (not sure which state you are in, but if you are in Brisbane and need a recommendation, send me a pm and I'll let you know his name!). Anyway, I started my treatment in September...I had to wear a compression stocking for 2 weeks, then had to go back to be checked. I had 2 weeks off and then went back to have one more lot of treatment, another 2 weeks of bandages and then check up. Overall, I am really happy with the results. The bulging has all gone. The only signs of me having any work done is that there are little lumps from where the vein is blocked (but they are not visible to the eye, I can only feel them if I rub where the needle went in) and also there is what looks like bruising around the injection site (and that is still visible almost 3 months after treatment). My surgeon said it will eventually fade away, but it just depends how long your body takes to absorb whatever it is...he did explain what it was, but I can't quite remember. Anyway, as someone else said, generally they only recommend to do this in the cooler months, as you need to wear compression bandages for at least 2 weeks after the procedure. Depending how bad your veins are, it could take 2 or more treatments. I guess the pros of having this treatment (compared to stripping the vein) are: no hospital stay (they generally just do it in their rooms, only takes about 30 minutes), you can get up and walk/drive straight away (if you get them stipped you may not be able to drive for a week and may need someone around to help look after kids) and it's relative cheap (around $210 per treatment and I think I got around $80 or so back from medicare). Only con is that it's impossible to have a proper shower and my gosh...your leg can get really itchy, especially if you have a reaction to the elastoplast they use on your skin (which happened to me)!

Anyway, I'm not sure what other info you may like, but please feel free to pm me if you want anymore details.

Oh and I know my doctor asked whether I had finished having my family (which I have), as he said if I decided to have more children, my veins would get worse. And once you have sclerotherapy done, that vein will never come back, but it doesn't guarantee that you will never get another varicose vein (and the same applys with stripping the vein!).

Ok, well I think I have raved on enough. Hope that has helped.

Take Care