I was just reading Willas' post on menopause and she mentioned surgery for varicose veins. I have veins that are seemingly getting much worse year by year. Doctor has prescribed those horrid support hose, which I found impossible to get on and off (they give you rubber gloves so you can get ahold and pull on the darn things) not to mention they made the legs ache worse. Have been really concerned lately about clotting, since the veins are so large and disgourged and find myself "putting my legs up" so much more often, and I seem to bump the veins (hurts like haddies) and worry about the bruises and embolism (sp) Guess the answer to the last concern is to give up animals and farming.

I would like to hear from other gals with the problem and how they find relief on a regular basis, any suggestions for support hose that I can get on without kicking the arthritic hands into overdrive and if you've had surgery for the veins, what kind and how did it work. I am considering having the surgery, will have to pay for it myself I think, there are several new techniques now and I'd like to hear from folks who have gone through it. I would like to go into this decision with as much info as possible. Thank you and have a good day, love this forum, by the way.

-- Betsy from MI (betsyk@pathwaynet.com), February 13, 2002

Answers

My mother wears the support sock (just on one leg) and has worn out quite a few pairs of rubber gloves putting them on. Her doctor says that the surgery might not be successful, so she decided not to try it. She also has arthritus in her hands, but she puts a silk sock on first and the support sock slides on better. Then she pulls the silk sock out after the support sock is on.

-- Cathy N. (homekeeper86@sympatico.ca), February 13, 2002.

I have varcose veins, I started walking a mile a day 18 years ago, and the veins have almost disapeared, As long as I walk they do not bother me, It may be hard to walk at first, but you will be surprized how soon, things start to improve.

-- Irene texas (tkorsborn@cs.com), February 13, 2002.