Varicose Veins
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Varicose Veins
Jan 2008
I am looking for a vascular surgeon to treat my lumpy and painful
varicose veins. Any recommendations or advice/experience? Thank you!
-No skirts for me
I have seen Dr.John Bry for few years. I have terrible varicose veins and
never felt comfortable in shorts or skirts. He's managed to treat even my
big veins w/injections. New veins will come up so I've had to go back a
couple of times. His number is 832-6131. He's in Oakland over by Summit
Hospital.
anon
June 2004
I am 28 weeks pregnant (first pregnancy) and started getting painful varicose veings
in my legs at 20 weeks. They literally cover the entire back of my right leg only. Now
I have them on the right side of my pubic area and on the inside of my vagina (sorry
this is so graphic and gross). They KILL!!! I am so worried that they will rupture
when I am working out, or that that my OB will automatically make me have a c-
section. Does anyone know anything about them? Do you think I should see a ''high
risk'' OB-GYN? Do you know of any high risk OB's in the Berkeley/Oakland area?
I feel so nervous about what is happening to my body!! I am fearful if I don't
workout every day to keep my blood flowing that I will develop a clot. On the
otherhand, I am fearful that I will rupture one of the veins by continuing to workout.
Any advice is appreciated!!!! Thanks!
Stephanie
Sorry to hear of your troubles...I oddly didn't have any veins
pop out on my legs but had terribly painful, bulging vains on my
vulva. My doc told me I'd be fine and I went on to have an easy
1.5 hour labor and vaginal delivery. I think the veins cleared
up as soon as she was out!I am a school teacher so the doc
thought it was my daily standing that led to the trouble in that
area. I worked out doing prenatal water aerobics 2-3 times per
week and prenatal yoga 1 day a week...Good luck to you!
been there!
I can feel your pain! I developed the same thing in my first
pregnancy, and it was extremely painful. I couldn't stand for
more than a minute without agonizing pain. I had no idea what it
was until the doctor delivering my son informed me.
I am now pregant with my second and the same thing has happened
again, but this time starting at month 2! Basically I have to
wear maternity support underwear, granny pants as I call them.
They do help a lot. Doesn't help the pain totally, but makes it
bearable. I also developed vericose viens in my legs and now
have to wear compression socks to help with that. I am also
supposed to elevate my legs as much as possible, which is easier
said then done when I am working full time and running after a
four year old. My doctors tells me that this is very common in
pregnancy and usually they will dissapate after pregnancy.
Apparently the extra weight and size of the uterus hinders the
blood flow to and from the lower extremities. (the from being
the problem. Vericose viens are caused by pooling blood). The
joys of pregnancy! If not though I will be visiting a vascular
surgeon. Sorry to hear you are having a hard time and hopefully
you can find some relief!
Lisa
This happened to me in my second pregnancy. Before talking to
my OB I was convinced it was going to rupture during delivery.
I also felt a lot of discomfort particularly when standing up
(sort of a blood rushing thing). My OB said it wasn't a big
deal (although my situation was apparently particularly
pronounced). And in fact it went away fairly quickly after
delivery, actually I was quite amazed give how huge it was. The
leg ones much less. Just my experience for your perspective.
Anon
March 2004
I'm just starting my third trimester with my second pregnancy
and was hoping to get some more advice on how to minimize these
horrible varicose veins that have cropped up in the past month
or so. This didn't happen with my first (well, I got the
annoying labia ones but at least those didn't show AND went away
later) and I'm so frustrated b/c I'm told they're here to stay.
I'm pretty fair skinned so they look just horrible and are
starting to hurt as well. My doctor told me to get those
support compression hosiery but with the warm weather
(especially in Walnut Creek) I think that would drive me nuts.
I'm thinking about getting some spandex leggings to wear under
my pants to help support my legs. Any suggestions on how to
deal/ prevent new ones would be most appreciated. And worse
case scenario, has anyone had any luck getting rid of them later
with injections/lasers? Thanks so much.
Frustrated momma
I had horrible veins with my second pregnancy. Aside from being
hideous, they really hurt. I was due in the summer, so l also was
reluctant to wear support hose. Ultimately, I did, and they did make a
difference. I would try it if I were you. And I wouldn't use just ''support
hose'' from the store; I would get the compression hose. I don't think
spandex leggings will do much for you. I had to go to my doctor and get
a ''prescription'' so that they would be covered by my health insurance.
They weren't the most comfortable things to wear when it got hot, but
they weren't horrible either (better than the veins for me). Good luck!
Elizabeth
Been There Done That! I had the same vein problems with my last
pregnancy and I can't stress enough how much the stockings that
the dr. has to measure you for and order that cost like $100
work and relieve that awful feeling associated with veins. I am
a Kaiser patient and it wasn't until I had a woman
midwife/practioner in Walnut Creek that I was granted the
permission to get this as well as authorized the viens being
removed post delivery!!! The other drs. I had were men and they
wouldn't authorize it. I was in Kaiser Walnut Creek. So if you
can talk your dr. into getting them removed later (with
injections--which was no big deal at all) you are lucky...I
think the key things to say are ''it really really hurts'' and te
tell the truth I had to lie and say that I wasn't breast feeding
b/c they think that if yoru hormones change then you may not
have the veins any longer (which I knew they wouldn't cause I
had them pre preg. but not as bad) So #1 Get the special
stocking (ted stocking won't do) #2 Convince your dr. to have
them removed later (injections are no big deal) #3 It feels and
Looks GREAT to no longer have the Varicoise veins!!!
No More Varicoise!
If you actually want to minimize varicose veins -- wear the
support hose recommended by your doctor. While spandex
is nifty and looks good, it will not supply nearly the pressure
necessary. Leggings with that much support would probably
be extremely uncomfortable, especially when you are
pregnant.
Its my understanding that most varicose veins arrive in
repeat pregnancies (not the first). You might want to ask
your doctor for a lead on someone to zap them for you later.
Heather
I would recommend the compression hose too. I'm in the 5th month of
my first pregnancy and recently started getting them bad. I have to stand
at work and my legs would ache. Got a pair at Cotton & Co. on College
Ave for about $25 and what a difference! Not ''back to normal'' but much
more comfortable (except the heat...)
Liz
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