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It's long over due for a cure on varicose veins...I can tell you that my entire family has them, grandfather, father, mother, sister, brothers (2) and I all have them...I even know some of my friends and their families that also have them. I think someone should find a cure for this disease, most doctors only think of this as a cosmetic problem...what's really horrible is that we have to wait until they get so bad until then NO and I mean NO doctors want to touch them...they say it's just a cosmetic problem and that's IT. Most of my family are now just starting to have REALLY REALLY bad problems with their veins...I don't know why it has to get to that point until the doctors want to acknowledge that it is really a problem that they want to deal with. It's over due for a cure or a better prevention, I don't understand why insurances don't even want to cover a lot of treatments for varicose veins...HOW SAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In Reply to: Varicose veins...cure is long over due!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! posted by Varicose Veins on November 26, 2003 at 14:17:46:
Acne is one of those diseases that is overwhelmingly cosmetic and insurance pays for those treatments and it isn't even a fraction as physically and emotionally debilitating as varicose veins. I agree. Have you looked into the endovenous laser treatment that I have been trying to get more information about?
In Reply to: Its Ridiculous Isn't It posted by Researching on November 26, 2003 at 15:11:35:
Hi,
I've heard about it and did a lot of research regarding EVLT for varicose veins...though, the bad thing is, is that my veins aren't considered bad enough (look wise) for any kind of surgery...mean while, my veins hurt me all the time especially at night or if I've been standing for a long period of time. I just think it's really sad that I have to wait years for my legs to get so bad that I may have worse problems like my some people in my family already have...for the insurance companies and doctors to even consider doing ANYTHING to my legs. I think's there's REALLY something wrong with these insurance companies today...but God knows what they're doing to people. I just hope that one day someone will find a cure or a better prevention for this disease...do you know what's worse is that when you go to these vascular doctors they don't give two sh*#s about their patients, they send you away like I'm complaining about nothing. I'm so depressed about this, I'm gonna have to be put on some type of depression medicine, oh, the insurance companies will pay for that though...if my problem was fixed I wouldn't be feeling this way. Sorry...I just REALLY needed to vent to someone...no one else listens, and I'm depressed :-( Thanks for listening!!!
In Reply to: Re: Its Ridiculous Isn't It posted by Varicose veins...cure is long on November 26, 2003 at 17:48:43:
The doctor's really won't do anything about it? What if you were willing to pay out of pocket for the procedure? Let me tell you a story about insurance companies and a family friend. She had diabetes and she did not manage the condition the way that she should have so as she aged and remained overweight she began experiencing neuropathy. She got to the point that she could not feel her feet very well and was walking in a manner that was very damaging to her foot. The doctors wanted to have her fitted for some type of special orthopedic shoe of some sort. The insurance company refused to pay for the shoe. (I don't know why or cannot justify why she did not pay out of pocket for the shoe.) However, they were willing to pay for the amputation of her leg! Horrifying. I really want to get rid of mine immediately, but I haven't been able to see a specialist yet, just my own doctor. I have been doing a lot of research though and thought that EVLT sounded like an option and there are a few places in my area that do it. Your story scares me into thinking that they might not help me though. Have you considered a cosmetic surgeon? Many cosmetic surgeons do the procedure and they may be more helpful because their perspective is from a cosmetic standpoint and that deteriorates far before the point that the vascular surgeon might see your veins as being candidates for some sort of surgery. There are also a few vein centers in my area. Do you have any in yours that you can look into. You would think that if they will do things about spider veins which are harmless they would do something about your varicose veins that are much more of a problem.
In Reply to: Re: Its Ridiculous Isn't It posted by I Totally Understand on November 26, 2003 at 20:47:30:
Thanks for your advice and for lending me your ear to talk to...I've been thinking of paying out of pocked like you said...I don't think I'd really want to do the vein stripping though...I think the only kind of surgery that looks like it would work better in the long run and have less problems would be the EVLT, I've been doing a lot of research just like you. I did find a site that is really good though...it's called healthboards.com
You should sign up there...when you go on the site you can look under cosmetic surgery...they also have A LOT of other things on this site. Let me know what you think of it...it has a lot of people that you can also talk to on there, you can also post questions on there. Do you have anyone else in your family that has varicose veins? I'm only 28 years old and I'm thinking of having kids one day...in the next year or two, that's one reason why I may wait to have my legs done, especially if I'm going to pay out of pocket. Are you veins really bad too, how long have you had this vein problem?
In Reply to: Re: Its Ridiculous Isn't It posted by Thanks... on November 26, 2003 at 22:19:22:
Thanks so much. I will definitely look into all of this stuff. I have seen a number of treatments but the way they are described it is a little discouraging for me. I am 24 years old. The vein problems that I have now are larger in the backs of my thighs, smaller in diameter but much closer to the surface in the backs of my knees and mostly spider veins in the backs of my thighs. They are enlarged or swollen, but they aren't as bulgy and bumpy as it seems most of those that have treatments appear to have in the before and after pictures. However, they are extremely painful to me and their onset seems recent and to be progressing no matter what I do. Here's a scenario. If I were to go to shopping with my 60 year old mother at a shopping mall, I would probably only make it through 5 stores before I needed to sit down and elevate my legs because they are in so much pain while my mother can keep going without ever stopping. The doctors just tell me that I am overly aware of sensations in my body rather than accept the fact that I am actually experiencing immense pain. Perhaps, I have a lower threshold than some others but it certainly is significant pain. I understand your reluctance to have the therapies if you are planning to have a baby and pay for the procedures out of pocket. I don't know what to tell you. It may be possible that if you take care of it now there will be less to take care of after the pregnancies and then the relative costliness might be equal either way. Or it may be possible to nealy completely prevent them during pregnancy so the cost of the procedure would be less to do it now than to exacerbate them with a pregnancy. I don't know if these are likely possibilities but they might be things to inquire about. I have to say that I find it horrifying that doctors will not help with this more than they do. I thought that there were ethical considerations to pain management that were being promoted even more in this day and age than previously. Furthermore, I might be a little vain (pardon the pun) but why should doctors force people to suffer with something that is not only painful but lacking in aesthetic pleasance to boot? The last treatment I want is the stripping procedure also but the last THING I want is to have these varicosities for any longer.
In Reply to: Re: Its Ridiculous Isn't It posted by Researching on November 26, 2003 at 22:47:17:
I've also been looking into getting injections done for my varicose veins, since the doctors are only considering my veins as a cosmetic problem...there are SOOO many treatments but they all I think can have problems and aren't long lasting at all. Did you ever look into getting the injection for you varicose veins. I'm thinking I'm going to get this treatment done, but I'm a little neverous and confused.
In Reply to: Its Ridiculous Isn't It posted by Researching on November 26, 2003 at 15:11:35:
Just wear long pants, as most people are disgusted by having to look at those with varicose veins.
In Reply to: Re: Its Ridiculous Isn't It posted by Maria on November 27, 2003 at 20:19:13:
Hi "Varicose Veins"
I disagree with Maria.
I don't think they are disgusting. Varicose veins is not what I consider "disgusting".
There are some good treatments for varicose veins that are available through your chemist.
Sincerely,
Maria - The Original
In Reply to: Re: Its Ridiculous Isn't It posted by I've also been looking into... on November 27, 2003 at 12:28:34:
I have been looking into some things. I suspect that you are referring to sclerotherapy. Am I correct? I have heard about it and I have considered it but there is something about the use of a sclerosing solutions that makes me more uncomfortable than the use of a laser. Also, Dr. Stoll I have read in the past points out that the sclerotherapy methods are considered to be an outdated means of dealing with superficial varicosities. I feel as though this would be an option that I would be least likely to look into but I can't give any rational explanantion except that I have heard mumblings of it not being the best means. I have read that although it is a relatively newer procedure that EVLT has a less than 7% recurrence rate. That seems to be the best that I have heard of but every case is different. Also, both Dr. Stoll's parents had their veins surgically stripped and never had a recurrence. Have you had suggestions as to what might be best for you?
In Reply to: Re: Its Ridiculous Isn't It posted by I Have... on November 27, 2003 at 21:47:33:
Thanks, I have.
I would never use sclerotherapy either, any more. I would use lasers for the tiny superficial veins (cosmetic only).
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Its Ridiculous Isn't It posted by I Have... on November 27, 2003 at 21:47:33:
My doctor stated that he cannot not do anything (surgery wise) to my veins but sclerotherapy since the insurance companies will only consider my veins to be a cosmetic problem...even though I'm in pain almost all the time and he stated that they don't look that bad to him...but he doesn't have the pain...how does he know????
I was considering sclerotherapy since the doctors won't do anything else to my legs...and my legs hurt me all the time especially at night...what should I do?
In Reply to: Re: Its Ridiculous Isn't It posted by Maria on November 27, 2003 at 20:19:13:
Hey Marie,
Do you know what I think is REALLY, REALLY discusting...PEOPLE like you that come here and know nothing about life...who asked for your neggative attitude here...you obviously don't have them, so we don't need your TWO CENTS. This disease is very popular, I and many other people ARE not the first and won't be the last people to have this disease...so keep you discusting comments to your self. Varicose Veins ARE NOT discusting...they cause more pain than you think...but that shows how much you know, because you don't know anything about them. Thanks for you two cents anyway!!!!!!!!
In Reply to: Re: Its Ridiculous Isn't It posted by My vascular doctor stated on November 28, 2003 at 12:28:47:
Have you gotten a second opinion? No offense, but I would have to be quite weary of a doctor that steered me toward only one possibility treatment. He may be correct that you are a candidate for only one procedure, but there is something that seems a little weird to me. My internist said that I could have laser treatments or this procedure or that and she would tell me what she knows about the vascular surgeons that I am considering when I have completed some further research.
In Reply to: Re: Its Ridiculous Isn't It posted by Researching on November 28, 2003 at 12:47:24:
I have been to 3 vascular doctors and two of them considered the injections...the other one told me to wait until they get worse because it's only a cosmetic problem and that insurance companies will not cover the costs. I'm think of getting the injections done, I seem to have no other choices at this point, I've been talking to some people that have had this procedure done on healthboards.com, and they said it's not that bad, but then again I've also been to veins1.com and some poeple have stated that they have had bad experiances with it, this is why I'm really confused on what to do. If the injections are that bad why would they still have this procedure...I need advice, my doctors won't do anything to my legs until they become a mess, by then I'll have more problems than I really need and I'll be in much more pain...that'll be about another few years from now :-(
In Reply to: Varicose veins...cure is long over due!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! posted by Varicose Veins on November 26, 2003 at 14:17:46:
Hi Walt Stoll,
I have a question, what will happen if I decide to have my veins injectioned with the solution? Why are doctors still using this technic? My vascular doctors stated that I would have to go back every so often do get them re-injected. Do you think they will ever come out with a cure for this disease? Please help, thanks!!!!!
In Reply to: Re: Its Ridiculous Isn't It posted by need help on November 28, 2003 at 12:59:03:
Have you been to the EVLT site. They can give you a list of doctors in your area that perform the procedure free of charge. The thing is that my doctor has told me that even people with more serious varicose veins often do not get coverage for their situation. It may not be the option for you, but you could consult another doc that might do another procedure. Why don't these doctors use lasers at all? Even dermatologists use lasers for the treatment of some varicosities that are PURELY cosmetic. I am having trouble understanding. Maybe Walt knows more than I do.
In Reply to: Re: Its Ridiculous Isn't It posted by Researching on November 28, 2003 at 13:49:44:
I reread my post....I did not mean to imply that these of doctors would perform the procedure free of charge but that they would give you the doctor list free of charge. WOW...I hope no one got too mislead over that one.
By the way, if you don't mind my asking, in your area what are the costs of some of these procedures?
In Reply to: Re: Its Ridiculous Isn't It posted by Hey Marie on November 28, 2003 at 12:33:58:
I happen to be a model and my varicose veins don't happen to be as bad as other people but they are incredibly painful. Why don't you cover up that disgusting attitude of yours as most people want to vomit when they are forced to be exposed to your worldview.
In Reply to: Varicose veins...cure is long over due!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! posted by Varicose Veins on November 26, 2003 at 14:17:46:
The doctors have stated that my veins are too large for laser...not EVLT laser...but the laser they use on the outter skin...even if they were able to do the laser on the skin, I really wouldn't want to do that because I'd be afraid it would burn the skin and other problems that I've heard. I'm so confused myself :-(
In Reply to: Varicose veins...cure is long over due!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! posted by Varicose Veins on November 26, 2003 at 14:17:46:
That's okay ;-)
I understood what you meant, it's okay...it can happen...I've done the same thing :-)
In Reply to: Varicose veins...cure is long over due!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! posted by Varicose Veins on November 26, 2003 at 14:17:46:
Hi Researching...you've took the words right out of my mouth, I couldn't have said it any better. I come here for help, and this THING called Marie comes here to give her negative out look on life to us. There are MILLIONS and MILLIONS of people in the world that have this disease and narrow minded people like her come here and post crap that they know nothing about. It's NOT just a cosmetic problem and it's to just say cover them up with pants...Marie doesn't know what a problem is...if she said that to someone's face, I'm sure they could show her what problems are in life.
In Reply to: Re: Its Ridiculous Isn't It posted by Maria on November 27, 2003 at 20:19:13:
Hi Researching...you've took the words right out of my mouth, I couldn't have said it any better. I come here for help, and this THING called Marie comes here to give her negative out look on life to us. There are MILLIONS and MILLIONS of people in the world that have this disease and narrow minded people like her come here and post crap that they know nothing about. It's NOT just a cosmetic problem and you don't say just cover them up with pants...Marie doesn't know what a problem is...if she said that to someone's face, I'm sure they could show her what problems are in life.
In Reply to: MISTAKE!!! posted by Researching on November 28, 2003 at 13:52:27:
I know that injections are about $250.00 to $300.00...I'm not sure what the costs are for EVLT or vein stripping are.
In Reply to: Re: Its Ridiculous Isn't It posted by Maria on November 27, 2003 at 20:19:13:
Marie, I'm depressed over here and I'm trying to find out as much information as I can on treatments, you have some nerve!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In Reply to: Re: Its Ridiculous Isn't It posted by Researching on November 28, 2003 at 13:49:44:
Hi Researching,
Did you ever try healthboards.com and veins1.com, they're really good sites to go to for varicose problems. You may find a lot of information that we're both looking for. If you go there, I hope to see you there. It's really nice talking to you, you're around my age so, it's nice to speak to someone who understands what we're both going through.
In Reply to: Varicose veins...cure is long over due!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! posted by Varicose Veins on November 26, 2003 at 14:17:46:
One of you mentioned that family members are having worse problems and I'm wondering what kind since I have vein problems also and don't need any more besides the cosmetic and discomfort? How large is too large for laser? Would like it if you all share just what the situation is with your veins so maybe I don't feel alone. It worries me to see such an extensive thing going on on my legs and feet (scares me as to what problems I might develop in the future because that are awful looking to me. Mine are superficial varicosities, some elevated, others in the process and lots of spider veins. They get worse around the time of my menstrual period--wish I knew of something I could do about that--any suggestions? By the way I am pre-menopausal. Does anyone know about hormone flucations causing problems along this line at menopause and why, how, and anything that can be done? Any help appreciated.
In Reply to: Varicose veins...cure is long over due!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! posted by Varicose Veins on November 26, 2003 at 14:17:46:
Also, please read my posts beginning ll/25/93--Name:Y.M. Thanks.
In Reply to: Varicose veins...cure is long over due!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! posted by Varicose Veins on November 26, 2003 at 14:17:46:
If it were me, I wouldn't wait for the medical establishment to come up with a "cure", nor would I just accept that this had to happen to me because I inherited a veinous weakness.
Do some research on diet, herbs and vericose veins. Dr. Christopher used to say lack of calcium was the cause. He used oak bark plasters directly over the areas along with cleansing of the bowels, liver, kidneys, blood and a whole foods vegan diet. Cleansing the bowels is important to relieve any pressure that a full and/or compacted bowel could be putting on the lower extremities.
A good herbal combination is horse chestnut and witch hazel. The horse chestnut needs to be taken according to directions on the package or from a practitioner. It is not to be overdone. In tincture form it can also be rubbed into the legs.
A healing program should look like the one in the testimonial below (but certainly not necessarily the same one) as opposed to just popping a few herbs.
Check out this testimonial regarding vericose veins from http://www.healthfree.com/success_acute.htm:
You know - every once in a while, fortune smiles on you and a piece of a puzzle drops in your lap when you least expect it.
Well - a few weeks ago, I experienced this wonder, and I can honestly say I have been absolutely delighted with the results.
A little bit of family history here: varicose veins run in my family, and as the years go by, I felt that I was doomed like my brother and two sisters to a life with big ugly blue and purple bulges running up and down my legs. My mother had them quite severely and it was just one of those things I expected to have in my life without really being analytical about it. It just never occurred to me that there was anything I could do about them.
Well - last New Years, I determined to lose some weight and during the holidays, I bought a pair of jeans that were a size (or two) too small for me, and I intended to lose enough weight to be able to get into them easily enough as time went by (does this part of the story sound familiar?).
A few days after I had started my weight loss program, I started my usual morning by running 4 miles and then made the mistake of putting these "form" fitting jeans on for the day. The tightness cut off my circulation and as the day wore on I started experiencing pain running up and down my leg. I awoke the next morning to discover a very large blood clot had formed half way up my shin where two of these large vericose veins intersected.
Being a bit stupid that morning, I decided to run another 4 miles to see if perhaps exercise might dissolve and break it up. Instead, by the time I returned home, the clot had moved from my shin to behind my left knee.. I decided I had better get smart so I went to visit my favorite Chiropractors .... After slapping me aside the head with a two by four for running the 4 miles on that second day, Doc ... recommended Enzymes to dissolve the clot and made me promise to keep the leg elevated and my movements to a minimum. I knew he was serious, because he made me sign my patient form that he also recommended me seeing an MD (those of you who know me realize that there is no other way to strike a numbing fear into my heart). He was afraid that the clot might break lose and end up in my heart as a heart attack, or my lungs as a pulmonary embolism, or my brain as a stroke. It was time for me to get busy.
I looked up all the data I could find on veins and blood clots, both in medical and herbal texts and put myself on an emergency regime to handle the condition. This is the daily program I created and immediately followed:
1. Vitamin E - 1200 IU
2. Niacin (B3) - 100 Mg
3. Plant Enzymes - One with each meal
4. COQ10 - 100 Mg
5. The … Christopher Heart Formula (2 dropperfuls 6 times a day)
6. Lecithin - 1 Tbsp
7. Leg elevation - Most of the day
8. Hot and Cold therapy - one hour
9. Intestinal Cleanse #1 & 2
10.An all raw Vegan diet with 3 days of juice fasting
Of Special Note: I make the Heart Formula above and it is composed primarily of Hawthorn. The secondary ingredients are: Cayenne, Red Clover Blossoms, Garlic, Ginger, Cactus Grandiflorous & Motherwort.
Of primary importance is the Hot and Cold therapy which is done for at least an hour each and every day. I used a special flexible ice pack and a regular heating pad for this part of the program. I started off with ten minutes of the freezing cold pack and then ten minutes of the hot (as hot as I could stand it). I alternated this back and forth for the hour and ended with the heating pad. During this entire process, my leg was elevated on a big pillow.
Now I had put this whole program together to handle the blood clot and was expecting no more than a reduction and eradication of it. At the end of two weeks the blood clot had disappeared, but wonder of wonders, my varicose veins were gone too. At first, I couldn't believe it. These things are hereditary aren't they? But no! It's 3 weeks later and they're still gone. Completely! I.S., Clearwater, FL 3/4/00
In Reply to: Re: Varicose veins...cure is long over due!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! posted by Need Help Also on November 29, 2003 at 01:32:09:
Hormonal fluctuations are supposed to contribute to varicose veins. I know that they are supposed to be the menopausal fluctuations and fluctuations from the use of oral contraceptives that happen to contribute.
In Reply to: Re: Varicose veins...cure is long over due!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! posted by thessa on November 29, 2003 at 02:56:55:
I have heard that it is incredibly dangerous to supplement niacin, though.
In Reply to: Re: Varicose veins...cure is long over due!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! posted by I have a question Walt Stoll on November 28, 2003 at 13:14:05:
Hi, I.
I do not know if anyone is still doing the injection technique. When I was practicing that was only used for the tiny cosmetic veins anyhow.
When nanobots become routine for repairing human tissue perhaps this conditon will also be programmed into them. Until then this question is like asking whether amputated limbs will ever be cured.
Hope this helps.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Varicose veins...cure is long over due!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! posted by Wait on November 29, 2003 at 03:54:49:
Hi, Wait.
Show me the research that says this!
Walt
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