I don't think spider veins are the same as varicose veins. Spider veins are broken capillaries in the skin and varicose are big old fat veins (sorry I don't know the correct terminology, just say that with a Forest Gump twang ) that occur when the vein walls get weak and they can't pump the blood back up as efficiently.

I've got lots of spider veins and the beginnings of varicose veins and they seem very different. The varicose ones ache when I'm tired.