Varicose veins

I have unsightly varicose veins and thread veins on my legs. Since my autonomic system doesnt work owing to operating on adrenalin for years with a stressful job I have no heat regulation, so get uncomfortably hot in stressful situations ( eg fumbling in my purse for the right money, getting lost in the car) and sweat horribly. I can't bear not to wear shorts or cutoffs in the summer and have discovered Vichy make up specifically designed, in several shades, that does a good job to disguise the horrors on show when I expose my legs. I buy it on line.

Have you considered acupuncture? Or homeopathy? I'm not trained in either but they've helped me with lots of problems that allopathic medicine can't solve.

you can get them lasered away now, don't know if Nhs does it tho.

There's also invisible varicose veins. I get uncomfortably swollen ankles in hot weather. After panicking about my inadequate heart (a slight murmur) my GP reassured me that it's really varicose veins - that with age, the valves in the veins get weaker. In hot weather the vein expands, gets wider, the valves leak a bit and don't manage to push back the blood so efficiently. Putting my legs and feet up for 10 minutes helps bring it down. So far no visible signs, and I hope they stay away cos the NHS wont treat them any more till they get dangerously weak.

During the summer I wear maxi shirts and dresses. hugs

I'm having laser treatment next Friday; I didn't think I had any problem until a vein ruptured. It is not a very prominent vein, either, but as I lost over a pint of blood (all over the front room floor!) I was put forward for treatment.

I have had awful varicose veins for years - had both legs "done" (tying off, not stripping) 30 years ago but it wasn't successful and now GPs won't provide varicose vein surgery. They don't hurt but looks unsightly so I mostly wear long trousers. Lately I have been getting one swollen foot (same leg as arthritic knee), so after a bit of googling am going to try to elevate legs 3 times a day - above my heart. Apparently a footstool is not high enough, so will lie on my back with my legs up the wall! Think I had better aim for twice a day to start with! I also moisturise the lower legs twice a day as the skin is more delicate and prone to thinness and I don't want to get an ulcer. At moment am using Oilatum which is great (bought from chemist).I do walk quite a lot - thanks to fitbit zip for encouraging me!

I had shocking varicose veins in both legs, really unsightly and I was so embarrassed my them. I had surgery on both legs at the same time 23 years ago - I was warned that more may appear but in all those years it's mot happened yet.
(Of course, we all know what's going to happen now don't we? )

Is there better treatment these days as I don't notice them any more?

Isn't it almost impossible to get surgery nowadays? I had mine done about 14 years ago. Spent a horrible week not able to change the bandages or wash my legs but that was the only downside. I realise I'm dim but it had never struck me that removing the veins would get rid of all the lumps and bumps I've got a whole new lot appearing now but I think I'll get by for a few years yet.

My OH has varicose veins and has to wear the socks. They are black and look OK-ish .
He is waiting to see a specialist phlébologue (we are in France), not sure what will happen then.

I have the most unsightly veins imaginable and one blue foot but they give me no trouble - if they did I would get them done

I only ever wear trousers and have never even thought about support socks. I don't think I could possibly wear them

Hi nannyjan I have one really prominent varicose vein on the back of my calf and it runs up the inside of my thigh. It doesn't bother me, but it is unsightly. I never even think of wearing support socks.

Are your legs covered in varicose veins? Do they hurt? I think with so many modern treatments available nowadays, I'd get mine taken care of if it bothered me.