Video
Voiceover: For 71 year old Colin, his legs have also had enough, which is especially bad for him as he’s one of the 10% of septuagenarians still working and he’s always on his feet because he runs a restaurant.
Colin: It gets hot and very uncomfortable and the ankle feels as though it’s disintegrating. It makes you feel quite grumpy, the constant aggravation.
Colin’s companion: He’s never worn shorts because his legs look so bad.
Dr Pixie: What seems to be the problem?
Colin: I’ve got problems with my legs. I have quite a lot of aching in the legs and the protrusion of veins that I have considered varicose veins. I’m not bothered about the appearance particularly but it is getting worse. I want to be able to continue working for as long as I can and because I’m on my feet quite a lot I felt it was about time I had something done about it.
Dr Pixie: Sure. I have to say Colin that is a very, very impressive varicose vein you’ve got there. It’s going the whole way up to your groin and I can see how they’re going to ache. My feeling is, were you to leave this alone, taking away the cosmetic appearance of it that this is ultimately probably going to suffer and break out as a little ulcer. The great news is these veins you don’t need. You can manage absolutely fine without these veins because these are your superficial veins. So what I think is the best thing to do Colin is we need to get you seen by a specialist to do an assessment of this, a scan of this basically to work out exactly where the problem is and take it from there in terms of treatment. Would you be happy to go along with that?
Colin: I will, definitely.
Voiceover: Varicose veins are both unsightly and embarrassing. They affect about 20% of us and often come with old age. They are blood vessels just beneath the skin that have widened and twisted due to defective valves within the veins. In Colin’s case they have become ulcerated, which means a risk of infection. Today he’s been sent to see specialist Mr Mo Bagginit for a scan.
Mr Bagginit: This is the vein that is causing the trouble and if we look along here it’s all dilated. This should really be only a few millimetres in size and all the valves would normally be working very well here but the blood is coming back down the leg rather than going back up as it should do.
Voiceover: This kind of treatment used to be incredibly painful but thanks to a revolutionary new approach called Endovenus laser therapy it can be done painlessly under local anaesthetic.
Dr Bagginit: You might just feel a little pushing and pulling there Colin.
Voiceover: Mr Bagginit inserts a laser fibrotic up the vein which originates in Colin’s groin. It then lights down and the laser is used to heat and destroy the wall of the vein as the fibre is slowly removed. The lower parts of the vein that had become swollen and unsightly are then simply pulled out through the small incisions in Colin’s leg and it’s all done.
Dr Bagginet: How are you feeling?
Colin: All right.
Dr Pixie: Hi Colin how are you?
Voiceover: A few weeks later he is back to show Dr Pixie.
Dr Pixie: Thank you for coming back. How did it all go?
Colin: I think it went very well. I want to go back to work fairly soon. I’ve been getting plenty of exercise, walks and that. The difference between this week and last week is tremendous really.
Dr Pixie: Is it?
Colin: The improvement, yeah.
Dr Pixie: I’d say you’re very pleased with that.
Colin: Yes. It’s a lot better than I thought it would be.
Dr Pixie: I mean this is week 2?
Colin: This is only the second week yes. The ankle doesn’t swell up now and it doesn’t feel painful either. It doesn’t feel like its disintegrating like it used to and the itchiness has gone from the leg itself, and it feels as though I’ve got my leg back.
Dr Pixie: Don’t try and get back to work too early. Remember, six weeks is six weeks.
Colin: I will remember that, OK.
About 20% of us suffer from varicose veins, blood vessels just beneath the skin that have widened and twisted due to defections in the valves. Particularly bad cases can lead to ulcerations making the problem even more embarrassing. Luckily for her patient Dr Pixie has the answer.
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I have varicose veins around my ankle, my doctors said that is due to eczema, is there anything that I can do or have done to sort this as it becomes very itchy and unsightly.
Hi,I am as will suffering varicose vein and its really pain both legs before its tiny red it start when I was 15.I'm very hard working person helping my parent. I don't mind before I need to earn money..But now its different and became worst spider vein on my both legs.Hope someone can understand how to ease pain I suffer for a long time..I'm desperately need help??please
I have been suffering with varicose veins caused by pregnanancy (also hereditory in my family) for 4 years now. They really get me down, I am dreading summer and am actually in tears just thinking about it. I was refered to a vascular surgeon by my gp who said my veins do warrant surgery but the nhs will not pick up the bill!! I have even been turned down by the exeptional circumstances funding people despite the effect on my mental health. There is no way I can afford to go private so I am just stuck in trousers for the rest of my life! I am absolutely disgusted with the nhs, I cant believe some of the ridiculous procedures they pay for but will not cough up for this. I would be be willing to petition or protest if it might help.
Hi,I have exactly the same problem. I went to my GP who said the nhs would not do anything, I am 37, very healthy and sporty but like you, am looking at a life in Trousers due to not being able to afford the treatment.... I am dreading Summer where I usually love it! There are lots of less problematic things being treated on the nhs and i keep thinking that veins do not get better with time, just worse... I would gladly sign a petition if there was one...It's getting me down too and stopping me from enjoying running and I wouldnt dare go swimming... Does this mean I will end up invading the nhs with more problems in later years due to lack of health and fitness???
im a 67y old and have a runny nose ive had it for 2 or 3y now can any thing be done it keeps me awake at night and i am very tired all the next day
Absolute disgrace that you can't get your veins treated on the national health. This is the first that I have heard this.
I also have varicose veins and spider veins that have become rather unsightly and are causing me distress. I went to my GP and was also told this treatment was no longer available and that I would have to go private but I just do not have the money for this I think it is abso disgusting!! The NHS are wasting money on alcoholics, drug users and quit smoking campaigns but won't help the many of us with this horrible problem. I refuse to wear skirts, shorts or even cropped trouser as im so embarrassed and it affects my affectionate relationship with my partner as I would rather he not saw my legs and try to cover them or even just turn out the lights!!! Not a healthy way to live :( Maybe we should all start a campaign and maybe the guys a the Embarrasing Bodies can help us. I have thought to appeal but it seems some of you have already tried this with no effect but maybe if we all did it together we could become a stronger voice.
I had varicose veins removed about 4 years ago now, I am now 25 but they are coming back, I also received a letter to say the NHS will no longer treat them, I can't afford to pay to go private :(, I don't understand why they will do boob jobs but not this, mine used to hurt aswell so it's not just cosmetic. I'm just praying they don't get really bad again, maybe I should start wearing those stockings..sexy!
after having my son in 2008 ive got a large varicose vein in my left leg and have now got loads of thread veins around my ankle,i also cant afford to go privite,it gets me down and has stopped me doing my hobby,i no someone who had a boob job done on the nhs cos her small boobs made her feel concious,,my leg hurts and stops me doing day to day things yet they wont treat it!i wish someone could help,
I am 23 years old and my veins became enlarged after an operation on my arm 4 years ago. I now have 3 noticable lumps on the inside of my right leg. I have been looking into reatments and have found a few things that i am now trying. Th first is a cream called Dr.Organic Royal jelly leg and vein cream from Holland and Barrett and the second is a tablet called Venavien Plus which i also got off the internet. the pill says that it reduces pain and swelling from varicose veins. Hope this helps others suffering from the problem
awesome thanks, Have the reduced the appearence of them at all???
I'm 24 and perfectly healthy My first major varicose vein popped up after I was hit on my inner leg which bruised massively. Now they're all down my right leg and people notice them in summer, they potrude so much so you can even see them through my tights! I'm on my feet all day at work and my legs ache and itch. It's so depressing, I don't think they should wait until there's signs of an ulcer. My brother has them so so badly his leg looks like it's one big bag of worms!!! I wish there was another way I could get them removed which doesn't cost £3000!!! They treat back problems on the NHS, they don't wait until you're imobile do they! (couldnt think of a better example clearly!) There's got to be a way????
hi, i have had varicose veins since i was 19. i have them in both legs and when my daughter aged 5 (now13) asked me why i had worms in my legs it was the worst day in my life as that comment has never gone away and my veins are even bigger now. i suffer with excema allover which is even worse on my legs. i havent worn a skirt without tights for over 8years and i struggle with any form of exercise other than walking or working as the added pressure to my veins makes my legs swell and they get as hot as a furnace. the doctors have referred me to no avail and have even told me i can be signed off work indefinately. i am slightly obese(size 18) but due to not being able to exercise without making the symptoms worse i am in a catch 22 situation and while i cannot offer you any guidance or help it makes me feel a bit more comfortable knowing that i am not the only one out there who struggles with this. regards caroline
I have Varicos vains and I want some help please can you help me . Thank You
Hi, I'm 13 and have had these ugly lumps on the back of my leg since I was 12! I'm not fat and do exercise, I'm quite tall 5'6 but have scoliosis as well which I horrible! I was selected by a modeling agency but they decided to drop me because I had one ugly leg :( It's ruining my life and I hate them!
Well i'm only 22 and I have them from the side of my ankle, behind one knee and up the inner thigh, and a big bulging vein on my labia as well. I hate summer as I can't wear skirts or dresses that are knee lengh because of the embarrassing problem that is only getting publicity as an older people's problem, which is not true! I've had them since i was 12 or 13... im so upset about them.
I also have sever varicouse veins the doctor only says wear support stockings....yeah you try in the middle of summer..im only 38 and like you Carrie i DONT wear dresses or skirts and as for swimming...forget it.I feel ugly and its made my confidence all but dissapear and depression...But so far i cant afford to pay private to get any thing done.. I hope you see your not alone..I just wish someone would help me.... :(