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Thanks to middle age and a double dose of shitty genes, my right leg now looks like a bodybuilder's cock. Doesn't look too sexy on the beach, but never been overly bothered until yesterday, when I discovered that phlebitis is a thing. Causes a lot of pain and swelling and not a hell of a lot you can do about it beyond topical anti-inflammatories, especially if you're a desk jockey.
The NHS won't remove them these days, unless your legs are basically rotting off, so I'm now considering going private unless the phlebitis abates. Anyone gone down that route before? What treatment did you get, and what did it cost? I'm aware that there are less invasive treatments available these days, but I'm not sure that they'd be suitable (the offending vein is a big 'un).
I'm aware that they tend to recur - not greatly worried about that: I've lived with them for years before they caused me any problems beyond the aesthetic.
Had mine lasered a while ago. They were starting to become an issue so maybe not as bad as yours at the moment.
Procedure was in, local anaesthetic but morphine I think, I was pretty dozy. They inserted a device into the vein and zapped it all the way to my groin which tightens it all ap. Very sucessful and no long term issues and didnt involve stripping the vein out.
Both legs done in a morning.
Much the same as above, lasered out about 12 years ago and no significant recurrence so far. NHS, priority upped because of repeated infections and therefore quite high risk.
My own experience of the procedure itself was very unpleasant, because it seems I have a high tolerance for lignocaine local anaesthetic, making it pretty ineffective. Having full sensation when they're slowly, step by step boiling the blood in your long veins isn't fun.
Yep, full treatment (nearly a meters worth!) in December.
Original consultation with NHS (all of 2 mins), indicated stripping (which is barely done now as it's very invasive and pretty barbaric), after an 18th month wait I was offered a private referral with a specialist vascular surgeon. This treatment is much less invasive: RFA and local avulsion. These methods were explained in-full during the consultation.
I was under general anaesthetic
Two days off work (I mainly WFH), groggy for 5. Legs felt very tight post op. Significant bruising. Anti-clot stockings for 2 weeks. I could walk immediately, but fully bandaged legs made this hard.
Back in the pool (pull buoy) after 10 days or so (got the nod from consultant), riding (gently) in around the same time. You must not overdo it as the veins and wounds need to heal.
Bruising pretty much all gone, a few buldgy bits remain but continue to go down (this is normal).
After 3 weeks (unless I looked) I couldn't tell I had had it done.
As you have found out, they aren't only cosmetic. Cut a varicose vein and it's a serious matter.
Best of luck and feel free to PM me any questions.
Mrs IRC had one leg done years ago on the NHS. Naturally she was in the ward for people with issues related to poor circulation. Astonished to see fellow patients who had a foot amputated due to bad circulation still going to the front door of the hospital in a wheelchair for a fag. If smoking wasn't the direct cause it was certainly a factor.
I'm having same done as paddy next week hopefully, both legs. Not particularly looking forward to it but needs doing.
Whether the NHS will do it must be down to location? I've seen legs looking much worse than mine refused. I asked GP nicely and she said they didn't used to at all much but now do. They'll say NHS won't do it just for cosmetic reasons but varicose veins almost always cause more problems than that anyway. Just need to be ready with a few to tell them. Once scans were done to find the cause NHS specialist said it could be around a year wait. Seems they gave up and want waiting lists down anyway so are coughing up for it to be done elsewhere privately by Ramsay Health Care.
phlebitis, desk jockey *raises desk to standing, hopes not to need to google what that is*
I have one horrendous leg that I'd consider doing something about as I also have lots of foot pain/calf related problems with that leg these days too. So please let us know how you get on OP!