Varicose Veins Archives

Dr. Stoll: Is there a connection between costochondritis and varicose veins?

Hi Dr. Stoll:

Many years ago (about 15 years) I was diagnosed with
costochondritis after I had been lifting heavy weights and
exercising excessively. My pain was primarily concentrated
on the left side (chest and back-shoulder blade area). It
was hard to breathe, altho I had no pain in my ribs. My
left side (I think it's my deltoid muscle) has been higher
than my right side ever since. I went thru physical therapy
(had never heard of rolfing at that time), had massage
therapy and biofeedback. I was also under a lot of stress at
the time (quitting my job and engaged to be married). My
physical therapist told me that my right side was trying to
compensate for the trauma on my left side. WEll, after
having my first 2 babies, my back pain was so severe (I
imagine from picking & Lifting them up), the pain started
traveling down to my lower back as well. I remember using
a heating back on my left shoulder blade and burning my back
because I couldn't feel the heatfrom the pad on my skin. I
still have a scar from it.

I have searched through the glossary and archives on bracing
and costochondritis and what occured to me was this: During
my 3rd pregnancy, I developed terrible, painful varicose
veins on my RIGHT leg only. Do you believe this was my
body's way of trying to compensate for the costochondritis
on my left. Before my 3rd pregnancy, I was kickboxing for a
year and a half and I continued to kickbox until I was 8
months pregnant. I know this isn't the best thing in the
world for your back. All through this pregnancy I saw a
chiropractor. He determined the problem might me vascular
and suggested I see a vascular surgeon. I saw 3...they all
told me I didn't have varicose veins and that my pain was
not proportionate to what thy could "see" on my leg. THey
couldn't see how my leg would be hurting me so much and told
me that my spider veins were a cosmetic problem!!! The h*ll
with the cosmetic problem...I can take care of that later.
I want to know why I'm in so much pain all the time. The
veins especially bother me during my menstrual cycle.

I quit kickboxing (2 years ago), started jogging and
strength training (lots of squats and deep knee bends) and
recently developed pain in the back of both knees. Duh???
Spider veins also immediately appeared in the back of both
knees. Went to more doctors and was diagnosed with
bi-lateral knee arthritis, bakers cyst and meniscus tear
(the doctors' said from all the years of stress and impact
to my joints). However, after x-rays and an MRI on both
knees, nothing was discovered. My ANA and sed rate are
negative.

I believe my knee problem probably goes BACK to my back
problem. Would you agree? Yesterday, I saw a
rheumatologist. He said the same thing and said that it
looks like a sciatica problem and that I have fibromyalgia
trigger points. He has ordered the following tests: EMG &
NCS RLE, complete lumbrosacral, CBC with diff, ESR, ANA, CRP
Quantative, Rheumatoid Titer, HLAB27Az, TSH, and for
Chemistry: Calcium, CPK and SPEP. Can you tell me what
these tests are for...what is he looking for? I believe my
problem is what you say, "bracing and long standing storage
of chronic stress-effect in the hypothalamus." I also have
had chronic acne for numerous years and I read in your
archives that acne is due to the same stress-effect in the
hypothalamus. ARE ALL MY PROBLEMS CONNECTED? Am I a basket
case or what? I'm trying to get to the cause of my problems
here so I can deal with my "issues."

I'm sorry for this long post. I've only recently learned of
your BB and want to thank you for all the wonderful
knowledge you possess and are so

Re: Dr. Stoll: Is there a connection between costochondritis and varicose veins? (Archive in varicose veins.)