Varicose / Spider vein treatment?

[trigirl]

Has anyone had their varicose or spider veins treated? I have some really ugly and pronounced spider veins on my inner and outer thighs, which show up quite nicely through my thin skin :curse: I've heard that you can get a saline solution injected into the vein(s), which clears this up (not sure if it is temporary or not). I don't have varicose veins yet....so not really looking at getting them stripped surgically. Just wondering if anyone else has this.

[MarciaF]

Great question! I stand on my feet all day long and while I wear good shoes with orthotics, I fear the inevitable. Sorry I don't have an answer but I anxiously await the responses.

[Swiss]

Back in my mid-20s to about age 33 or so, I had several treatments (probably about 5). I had the saline injections done, and it worked very well. The reason I had to keep getting treatments is that new ones will form, not that the old ones came back. At that time, I was on birth control pills, which can, in some people, cause more spider veins. Same with pregnancy. I did have one more treatment at about age 36, after my son was born. While I was pregnant with him, I had a huge cluster of spider veins pop out in my popliteal area. Again, the treatment worked very well.

I haven't gone back since because I don't have too many now (never went back on BCPs and no more pregnancies, so I haven't got too many new ones).

It hurts, but nothing insane.

[DeeDee]

spider veins and some of the larger superficial varicosed veins respond really well to the saline injections (sclerotherapy). I had a few rounds of the injections done over the past few years and it worked out really well.
The injections do sting a bit but its pretty minor, I'd recommend trying it out.

[drlinda]

I just had sclerotherapy last september. It took several visits because my legs were in bad shape. It worked very well. The injections feel like mosquito bites and it stings that day. The worst part for me was having to wear the support hose for three consecutive days after the treatment. That meant not removing them at all. Good luck.

[Mizuno]

A friend of mine has her lasered and said it hurts like hell!!

[Jypsie]

A co-worker of mine had the laser treatment done (for spider veins) and it didn't do a thing. They didn't change a bit and she said it hurt like hell. I asked my dermotologist about the saline injections and she said it works well, but usually more than one treatment is required. I haven't had it done yet, but I plan on it some day.

[hemi]

Originally posted by drlinda@May 24 2006, 09:38 PM
I just had sclerotherapy last september. It took several visits because my legs were in bad shape. It worked very well. The injections feel like mosquito bites and it stings that day. The worst part for me was having to wear the support hose for three consecutive days after the treatment. That meant not removing them at all. Good luck.
Hi! Other than wearing the support hose for 3 days...was there any bruising afterwards? Would it make any difference if you had it done in the summer months where you're exposing your legs or should I wait and do it in the winter.

I developed some spider veins on the side of one thigh after pregnancy...luckily that was it. I was surprised cuz I had only gained 21lbs. but was left with an area that looks like a bruise...not pretty!! Also, how much did it cost?

[Sportsgirl]

Originally posted by Mizuno@May 25 2006, 12:46 PM
A friend of mine has her lasered and said it hurts like hell!!
I had my varicose veins lasered and it was seriously THE MOST painful thing I have experienced. I told the doctor aftewards that I didn't need the protective eyewear at all cos it was so painful I couldn't open my eyes anyway!...

It worked for a while then I got more. I'm going to get mine stripped in the near future.

[CraveMuscle]

that's interesting about the veins and laser. I work at an aesthetic and laser center that has some very high-tech lasers, and the technician said that veins don't hurt that much. she also uses some very high-dose numbing cream for that and other procedures to help for any possible pain.

interestingly enough, the men have the most problems with laser therapy / hair removal, skin tightening, etc. some men have to take 2 pain pills / hydrocodone before coming in AND use numbing cream. sad. :sad:

[drlinda]

Don't have them done in the summer. There is alot of bruising and it takes awhile to heal. Wait until the fall and then you will have several months to heal. The results really are amazing. My insurance company covered some of the cost. Pictures were taken and submitted to the insurance company first for approval. What also helped my case was that my ankle actually hemorrhaged--so it was considered more medical than esthetic. The cost varies from $500 on up depending on how many treatments you need. Hope this answers your question.

[robina]

I had my spider veins done with saline injections about 8 years ago. They are just now starting to come back. I've heard that laser treatments are not as effective as injections - and the injections were somewhat painful, but not overwhelmingly so. I had to wear these funky support stockings for a few days after and the veins were pretty much disappeared after 10 days or so. I should probably get them done now before they get any worse.

[BlueTuna]

I had schelotherapy about 12 years ago and it was really successful - the veins didn't come back. But now I have some ugly ones in another place. :censor: So as soon as I have some spare cash, I'll get those ones done too.