Varicose veins and stuff!

[~Raven~]

I developed a couple of them during my last PG. I have one that bulges a bit at the top of my leg (or under my butt) and then behind my knee. Both on the LHS and because of that I'm sus they could be the same vein actually.

Now I've just got AF back. Had the second one since R was born and for the first two days OMG the veins were throbbing and aching like mad. Really painful stuff like when I was heavily PG. Only for the first two days though. Now they have gone back to normal and really not noticeable.

So, not having varicose veins of any significance before now, can anyone tell me if having the ache and throbbing in synch with AF is the norm? Not only do I have pimples, general crabbiness and swollen cooter to look forward to, is sore achey VV's going to be part of my monthly fun? <- doing the sarcasam shuffle here!

[AliBaby]

I would get it checked out. My sister had this on the back of her knee and she actually needed to have it removed. They just take out the blocked vein and put another vein in its place like a train track diverted. It was all key hole.

Not saying thats what you have but it sounds similar.

[Fleur]

I'd get it checked too. I have developed a nice collection over 4 pregnancies - they run in the family , but none of mine hurt. So it might be worth seeing if there is something that can be done to help.

[Willow]

I have developed a nice collection over 4 pregnancies - they run in the family

Me too, and spider veins too - lucky me!!

None of mine are painful when I'm not prg. I'd go and get it checked out too.

Once I've finally, definitely decided no more babies, I'm going to see someone about mine. Just working up the courage really!

[Curly]

I have terrible varicose veins (and spider veins) in my legs. Both parents and all 4 grandparents had to have surgery on their veins so I'm stuffed, frankly. I've known since I was 20 (when I got my first one) that I would have to have surgery on them one day - but there is no point in having them treated until you have finished having babies.

My veins have actually been a fairly big factor in me deciding that this will be my last pregnancy.

They have only been painful while pregnant and the ob told me that they hurt as the vein is expanding due the valve collapsing - in other words, while I'm getting myself a brand new varicose vein. Once the vein has stretched it should stop hurting, he said...which is what happened to me. Delightful. And now I just get that achey heavy feeling in my leg. I have had that sensation when not pregnant...aching, not actual pain.

As for the AF factor...I have never experienced this before, at least, not that I have noticed. I would wait and see what happens next AF first. It may just be a coincidence.

Compression tights really do help, if you can stand them.

[Mildez]

I would have it checked out to to be sure its not blocked or a thrombis. In saying this I am sure its just a painful VV. I too get painful VV's with AF and my grandmother said her pain with AF in her vv's were terrible. She wouldn't get her's operated on and they look like bags of grapes now she is in her 70's. My VV's ache also buy only with AF but its not excrutiating just an awareness they are there.
I too have a huge family history of VVs. My mother had her's striped at 26yrs old and accidently had another baby (well not planned) at 32yrs. My Aunt had her's done too and apparently the pictures are in a medical journal as they were the worst the specialist had ever seen (it was after her 10th baby)

[~Raven~]

Thanks guys! I have lots of spider veins too and was making sure I was done with the bubbas before getting them treated. Now I have this VV issue to get sorted at the same time it looks like

Thing is they really don't look that bad so I thought I'd get laughed off by the Drs cos they are not the bulging grapes kind that I've seen on others but man they hurt!

Emmy at least I know I'm not alone with having the AF and VV's hurting in sync

[Willow]

I have terrible varicose veins (and spider veins) in my legs. Both parents and all 4 grandparents had to have surgery on their veins so I'm stuffed, frankly. I've known since I was 20 (when I got my first one) that I would have to have surgery on them one day - but there is no point in having them treated until you have finished having babies.

My veins have actually been a fairly big factor in me deciding that this will be my last pregnancy.

:yeahthat: Me too! Sometimes I think I'd love to have another, but then think I can't stand to see my veins explode all over again They held up pretty well during my prg with DD but the boys....ah, not so much!

I have been doing a bit of reading and looking around trying to find a good specialist and have read quite a few times that they now recommend you have veins treated as they occur, and not wait until after you have finished having children. They recommend having them treated before you fall prg or in between pregnancies to avoid further damage. Wish I'd known that when I was 22!!

[Curly]

They held up pretty well during my prg with DD but the boys....ah, not so much!

Exactly the same here! I got away with it with DS, with DD I got a whole bunch of new veins which DID improve a bit after she was born. But this time around it's just a vein extravaganza!

Get them treated as they occur????? They've changed their tune. Grrrrr!!!! I have only ever heard that there is no point getting them fixed before you've completed your family and that "it isn't recommended" to get pregnant again after having them done.

I even saw a vascular specialist just before I got pregnant with DS who told me the same thing and that was late 2005.

I'm waiting to see the state of my legs after this one is born to see how dire the situation is, I'm hoping that once the pregnancy is over there will be some improvement, like last time.

I'm not so bothered about the treatment, I have been dressing strategically (ie no shorts or skirts above the knee) for the last 10 years which is quite a long time, so I'd love to bare my legs again without feeling all when I see people looking at them, like when I take the kids swimming.

[Willow]

I'm not so bothered about the treatment, I have been dressing strategically (ie no shorts or skirts above the knee) for the last 10 years which is quite a long time, so I'd love to bare my legs again without feeling all when I see people looking at them, like when I take the kids swimming.

Me too hun, knocks your self esteem having the legs of an 80 year old at 30

I can't even get away with 3/4 any more though because the spider veins in my lower legs and particularly my left ankle are horrendous.