I have developed one ropey, aggrivating varicose vein in my right leg, starts at the top (actually, I think it starts just below my knee and goes up!). It's unsightly and makes my leg tired and crampy at times. I do the "normal" things like, trying to not cross my leg at the knee (GREAT...take away another feminine characteristic!), drink plenty of water, exercise, increased fiber, etc. but haven't tried any nutritional supplements or support hose yet. (support hose are not for summer fashion until last resort!).

Anyone take anything natural to help varicose veins? I have a few spider veins, but I can deal with those. It's this big "gun" that has me frustrated.

Anyone have any of the vein treatments for the larger varicose veins? I just can't imagine injecting anything in my veins to plug them up!

Thanks for your comments.

Cheryl

Hi, Cheryl,

You are 100% correct--varicose veins are unsightly. My left calf looks really bad. It sounds like you are doing all of the right things. I, too, hate wearing support hose especially here in Arizona where it's over 100 degrees, but they really work in alleviating the achiness and cramping.

I have also read that the hose prevents them from becoming worse. My mother (elderly now - had many kids) has very bad varicose veins and has endured multiple operations. The last one was performed when she was 78. They removed her saphenous vein (sp), and it was a very painful and long recuperation. I don't ever want things to get that bad!

Take care.

Colleen

Hi Cheryl, Colleen,

I'm in the same boat as you both, with an ugly vein on my right leg. It starts on my calf and wraps around my knee up to my thigh. Like you, Cheryl, I drink lots of water, eat fiber and exercise. I try to elevate my legs when possible, and try not to sit for too long a period of time. Mine are hereditary, are yours? I first saw the beginnings of them when I was only 28, and now at 52, my leg looks horrid. I wear shorts at home, but capris when I go out -- yes, I live in a hot climate too. Anyway, about supplements... I tried horsechestnut, but it didn't help at all. I also tried a combination herbal capsule that included horsechestnut and butcher's broom -- no help there either. If you do decide to try horsechestnut, I believe there's a warning to not use it for more than a specificied amount of time -- something like 2 months, I think.

Sometimes I'm so depressed about my varicose veins, and maybe some day I'll consider sclerotherapy surgery. I hear that there's no certainty it works successfully though. Sigh... oh well.

Thanks for your responses. I guess mine are hereditary b/c my dear Mother (73) has extremely bad varicose veins along with ankles that are full of nasty spider veins. I have been fortunate b/c I haven't developed those yet and I'm 51. Infact, mine just started with this nasty big one in the past year. There is so much in the news right now about having them fixed with surgery, but I just can't see how that would work on the big ones without a lot of pain and quite frankly, I can't see having surgery like that for purely cosmetic reasons. I can tolerate the discomfort, but just am hoping somone has tried something that might help that isn't so invasive as surgery. Guess maybe I should consider support hose this fall-spring, huh?

I'm about 30 lbs. overweight too. I just lost 30 lbs. last winter and now need to get geared up to loose the last 30! I know that would help some as well.

I remember my mother having unsightly veins in her legs since I was a child...so at least mine didn't start quite that young. I want to take good care of my legs and health in general so I can hopefully avoid some of those things as I age.

Wow....I don't like thinking I am to the point of calling myself "aging"! LOL! I'm still VERY active!

thanks...cheryl

The reason why the ropey type varicose veins pop out and look fat is because the valves inside the larger vein(s) have become damaged and can no longer hold the blood in place as the blood moves back to the heart. The blood inside veins is moved along by muscle contractions and the valves keep the blood going in one direction as it moves back to the heart. If any of the valves become damaged, gravity pulls the blood back down causing the vein to distend with the extra blood. I know of nothing that can repair damage to the valves. You can have the veins stripped out with surgery but surgery does not repair the valve problem, it just moves the returning blood to different veins (that hopefully do not have damaged valves). Sometimes the valves in the deep veins that you cannot see can become damaged which can lead to ulcers and pigmentation on the lower legs and ankle area. A good compression stocking is a low risk alternative to surgery. Frequently throughout the day it would be a good idea to elevate the leg so that the pooling blood can move along back to the heart.

Kathy