Hola. I just read the archives on varicose veins and i have some questions. i'm 23 and have had problems with visible (but not swollen) veins since puberty. varicose veins run in my family. for the past few years my spider veins have been getting worse, and i have had a few rounds of sclerotherapy. but it seems like i'd have to keep going back for more injections forever. after the last round i was prescribed supertight pantyhose that i'm supposed to wear every day, forever. :( these are unattractive and uncomfortable. also, i just saw the first sign of a varicose vein that's puffing out. i saw your advice to take 1000 units of vitamin E daily and i'm about to start doing that. but what interests me more is how you said that spider veins are caused by a hormonal imbalance. could this be the same imbalance that's causing my acne (that i recently started working on with your diet, exercise, relaxation advice)? i'm also wondering if varicose veins have to do with circulatory problems that can be improved. basically, how much are spider/varicose veins fixable by lifestyle changes and how much am i just doomed due to genetic predisposition?
thanks,
dani
p.s. read your book, i got a lot out of it.
Follow Ups:
Re: spider & varicose veins
Posted by Walt Stoll on December 17, 1998 at 09:56:27:
In Reply to: spider & varicose veins posted by dani on December 16, 1998 at 18:52:13:
Dear Dani,
You are not "doomed".
First of all, ANY elastic support that goes above the knee causes more problems than it helps! I am assuming that your "panty hose" does just that! Your first "puffing out" vein is likely being caused by the pantyhose.
Second, where have your docs been? No one injects a sclerosing solution for supervicial veins any more. Superficial laser treatments are much more effective.
Are you over weight? Do you do an regular exercise program?
Genetic predisposition is just that-----a predisposition. There are many things you can do to change your predisposition and you are already started on many of them.
My father had to have all of his veins stripped out before he was 30. My mother had her surgery done before the age of 35 & had it repeated several times before she was 50. I have 6 brothers & sisters. Most of them do not believe in wellness and have had their veins stripped out already. I started my wellness program 30+ years ago and still have no signs of varicose veins.
Walt
Follow Ups:
Re: spider & varicose veins
Posted by dani on December 30, 1998 at 18:52:47:
In Reply to: Re: spider & varicose veins posted by Walt Stoll on December 17, 1998 at 09:56:27:
thanks, i'll stop wearing that hose. phew!! and i'll start the vitamin E thing you mentioned.
i'm not overweight, in fact i'm usually just a touch underweight. i have recently begun exercising more regularly, but i admit that for the last 2 years i've been pretty sedentary.
your personal account is encouraging -- i'm so determined to overcome this particular predisposition. ok, so what about the one that is already puffing out? is there a chance that this could fade, or will i need to get surgery on that one and then work on preventing future ones?
thanks so much,
dani
Follow Ups:
Re: spider & varicose veins
Posted by Walt Stoll on December 31, 1998 at 10:19:39:
In Reply to: Re: spider & varicose veins posted by dani on December 30, 1998 at 18:52:47:
Hi, Dani.
You will likely need surgery for the "puffing" one but, were I you, I would see how much good you could get just doing what you are deciding to do now. If it is not gone in a year, I would consider surgery.
If the spiders are not gone in 6 months, I would consider the laser.
Walt