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venous insufficiency - 6/26/2013 5:14:32 PM   
littlewonder


Posts: 15659
Status: offline 		Does anyone have any experience with venous inefficiency? I was just diagnosed with possibly having this.

For about the past month my feet have been swelling like balloons while I am walking so I finally went to the doc this week. The doc has ruled out high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, diabetes and thyroid problems. After he looked at my legs he noticed that I have dark blue veins that run up along the shin which he said is a tell tale sign of venous inefficiency. I have to go back in two weeks after some other blood work comes back to rule out anything else but he seems pretty satisfied that it is VI.

Now, at first the swelling never hurt. It was just an annoyance. I would come home and put my feet up, relax, and ice them for the swelling to go down. But now, over the past few weeks my legs have begun to really cramp and I have terrible pain up along the shin where the dark blue veins run. And now recently, while I've been getting what I can only describe as a quick electrical shock feeling that runs down my legs and then I get this rush to my head. My legs start to buckle and I feel like everything is spinning and my eyes get blurred. It never lasts long....a few seconds. But today on my way home from work I started getting it so often that I had to keep stopping and sit down on the side of a curb until I felt like I could walk again.

I admit it's a little frightening and now that I'm home I'm lying down because the moment I try to stand up it all starts again and makes me feel nauseous.

And no I'm not pregnant.

So basically I'm just wondering if anyone else has any of this kind of experience, especially if you have VI. No, I'm not looking for a diagnosis or anything else like that. Just trying to get some kind of grip on this since it seems a bit difficult to find any personal anecdotes online from others with this. I'm just wondering if any of this is normal with VI.

My doc didn't seem all that concerned about this, basically saying it's not a major issue and just said I should wear compression socks. I don't wanna have to go through the rest of my life having to live like this.

Like I said, just wondering about personal experiences. Thanks.


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RE: venous insufficiency - 6/26/2013 5:27:26 PM   
tazzygirl


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quote:

My doc didn't seem all that concerned about this, basically saying it's not a major issue and just said I should wear compression socks. I don't wanna have to go through the rest of my life having to live like this.


VI I am going through but as a result of my diabetes and the surgery I had. The socks, while annoying, will be so much help. I hope you got them already.

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RE: venous insufficiency - 6/26/2013 5:48:58 PM   
littlewonder


Posts: 15659
Status: offline 		I have one pair right now and I try to remember to wear them but I'm usually in a rush in the morning to get out the door for work since I leave at 5:30am so I don't always remember until I get to work and my legs start to ache.

I just can't imagine living my life like this and hurting all the time and never being able to go hiking anymore or do much of any kind of walking and always feeling like I'm going to pass out.

I was doing some research online about VI and I read there are some surgeries that can be done but they are rarely done. But ya know...if they make me live a normal life again, I'll pay for it myself if I have to.

Yes, I'm frustrated and grumpy and in pain tonight and Master is out of town so I don't have him to listen to my frustration right now.


< Message edited by littlewonder -- 6/26/2013 5:49:42 PM >

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RE: venous insufficiency - 6/26/2013 6:42:34 PM   
SimplyMichael


Posts: 7229
Joined: 1/7/2007
Status: offline 		Cyanne pepper, used on the skin will increase circulation just make sure yiu have cuts. They make capsules to, but it has some impressive qualities.

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RE: venous insufficiency - 6/26/2013 7:03:32 PM   
tazzygirl


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Joined: 10/12/2007
Status: offline 		Might I suggest a couple extra pairs, that way you can slide a pair into your purse or keep them at work? They do make a difference.

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RE: venous insufficiency - 6/26/2013 7:15:26 PM   
DesFIP


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Joined: 11/25/2007
From: Apple County NY
Status: offline 		Are you sitting at work while you previously were walking around? Or standing in one place?

It does sound like the easiest solution is to buy several pairs and leave them in the car or at the job.

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RE: venous insufficiency - 6/26/2013 8:42:20 PM   
Ultimatetragedy


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Joined: 9/26/2012
Status: offline 		VI, aka Varicose veins result when the valves in the veins become incompetent and permit retrograde flow. The retrograde flow results in venous engorgement and resulting pain/discomfort (much akin to hemorrhoids). Compression stockings work by preventing the veins from becoming engorged. Surgeries can be done to remove the offending vessels. Applying any sort of topical ointment wont do much to address the root of the problem..........

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RE: venous insufficiency - 6/26/2013 9:18:22 PM   
tazzygirl


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Joined: 10/12/2007
Status: offline 		Venous insufficiency is a disorder of the deep veins, whereas varicose veins are a disorder of the superficial veins. Varicose veins can lead to VI.




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RE: venous insufficiency - 6/27/2013 5:54:30 PM   
littlewonder


Posts: 15659
Status: offline 		Thanks all for the info. Michael, I can't use any kind of cream like capsican because I have eczema which just literally burns my skin.

I do plan on buying another pair of compression socks to leave at work. My desk at work is gonna start looking like my closet! An extra sweater, pair of glasses, a bookbag, shoes galore, and now compression socks lol.

I just don't wanna have to live the rest of my life wearing compression socks. Yeah...I'm a bit of a fashion whore and compression socks are well...just ugly...and HOT in the summer. I like wearing my toeless sandals.

I don't really have any superficial varicose veins but apparently I have a deep one on each leg that runs the whole way down the front of my shins. I just apparently recently got them because I never had them until all of this started.

For the most part I sit a lot at work but then there are days when I'm running around from floor to floor, desk to desk, building to building fixing people's computers or teaching classes. When I am sitting I have a reminder on my computer to make sure I get up and move every hour for at least a few minutes. I'm thinking about buying a stool for under my desk to keep my legs elevated.

Right now the thing I'm really really concerned about is the electric shock feelings I'm getting in my legs as I walk that cause what feels like a rush of blood through my body which makes me really dizzy. It's been getting worse every single day.

I haven' t read or heard about this symptom with VI so it's something that I'm wondering about. Does anyone get that symptom? If so, what do you do for it? Did it go away or at least get less troublesome?


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RE: venous insufficiency - 6/27/2013 9:51:57 PM   
SeekingTrinity


Posts: 1834
Joined: 5/29/2012
From: The 'burbs of Portland, OR
Status: offline 		~FRing it~

I had a bout of venous insufficiency last year that had my feet swollen to the size of what felt like watermelons. I seriously thought my skin was going to split wide open. Didn't have the electric shock feeling though, which sounds to me like nerves are maybe involved.

I had a visit with my primary care physician and was prescribed Lasix to help with the fluid. Make sure to supplement with potassium though because potassium leaches out of blood due to the Lasix. Also up protein intake because low blood albumin levels can lead to fluid retention in lower extremities. Also compression socks, though I hated wearing those bastards. I also soaked my feet in Epsom salt. The saltiness of the water is supposed to lure the fluid from inside your feet to the outside via osmosis.

Mine seemed to kind of resolve itself after about a month of doing the things I talked about above. Hope it helps you in some way. I know how bad it sucks.

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RE: venous insufficiency - 6/28/2013 7:07:09 AM   
kalikshama


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quote:

For the most part I sit a lot at work but then there are days when I'm running around from floor to floor, desk to desk, building to building fixing people's computers or teaching classes. When I am sitting I have a reminder on my computer to make sure I get up and move every hour for at least a few minutes. I'm thinking about buying a stool for under my desk to keep my legs elevated


Do you have a regular exercise program?

Chronic venous insufficiency

... If treatment is necessary, the focus will be on the three E’s: exercise, elevation and elastic compression.

Exercise: Exercise helps pump blood through the legs and builds muscle that can promote better circulation.

Elevation: Elevating the legs can help to instantly relieve pain. A doctor may also instruct a patient to elevate the legs above the heart three or four time a day for about 15 minutes at a time. This can help to reduce swelling. If prolonged standing or sitting is necessary, bending the legs several times will help promote blood circulation.

Elastic compression: Elastic compression stockings increase in tightness from the toes to the calves. They squeeze the leg veins, exerting additional pressure that helps to prevent blood from flowing backwards.

If the three E’s don't substantially relieve bothersome symptoms, CVI may also be treated in the following ways:

Read more: http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/vascular/diseases/cvi.html

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RE: venous insufficiency - 6/28/2013 7:22:59 AM   
kalikshama


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Joined: 8/8/2010
Status: offline 		My Mom sent me a link to this recently:

Sitting Kills, Moving Heals: How Everyday Movement Will Prevent Pain, Illness, and Early Death - and Exercise Alone Won't

This groundbreaking new medical work demonstrates how modern sedentary lifestyles contribute to poor health, obesity, and diabetes, and how health can be dramatically improved by continuous, low-intensity, movement that challenges the force of gravity. Citing her original NASA research on how weightlessness weakens astronauts' muscles, bones, and overall health, the author presents a simple and effective plan for maintaining good health throughout life by developing new lifestyle habits of frequent gravity-challenging movement. Written for everyone who spends most of their lives sitting in chairs, at desks, and in cars, this practical, easy-to-follow action plan outlines simple gravity-challenging activities such as standing up frequently, stretching, walking, and dancing that are more healthful and effective than conventional diet and exercise regimens.



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RE: venous insufficiency - 6/28/2013 8:59:23 AM   
GoodCatholicDom


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Status: offline 		Movement is essential for all body functions. Exercise of any type effect body function of all organs. We need motivation for this ..and therelies the issue of the mental stimulation....the spirit, mind, soul ...and animal instincts of sexual and appetite...to stimulate activity and daily routine. One must push themselves and participate in all the areas of living....

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RE: venous insufficiency - 6/28/2013 8:05:20 PM   
littlewonder


Posts: 15659
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quote:

ORIGINAL: SeekingTrinity

~FRing it~

I had a bout of venous insufficiency last year that had my feet swollen to the size of what felt like watermelons. I seriously thought my skin was going to split wide open. Didn't have the electric shock feeling though, which sounds to me like nerves are maybe involved.

I had a visit with my primary care physician and was prescribed Lasix to help with the fluid. Make sure to supplement with potassium though because potassium leaches out of blood due to the Lasix. Also up protein intake because low blood albumin levels can lead to fluid retention in lower extremities. Also compression socks, though I hated wearing those bastards. I also soaked my feet in Epsom salt. The saltiness of the water is supposed to lure the fluid from inside your feet to the outside via osmosis.

Mine seemed to kind of resolve itself after about a month of doing the things I talked about above. Hope it helps you in some way. I know how bad it sucks.



This was extremely helpful! Thank you! And yeah, my feet look like watermelons sometimes from the swelling. I'm going to ask my doctor about the lasix and see what he says along with the other things you mentioned. I had forgotten all about epsom salts. I have some here at home so I think I may try that tomorrow.

I'm glad to hear yours cleared up and you still don't have it. Hopefully mine will go away also because I really can't imagine living this way.

The thought that maybe the electric shock feeling may be a nerve problem makes me wonder if maybe there's a pinched nerve or something and definitely something I will ask my doc about.

Thanks again for the info!


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RE: venous insufficiency - 6/28/2013 8:09:33 PM   
littlewonder


Posts: 15659
Status: offline 		Unfortunately, since I started this job 3 months ago I haven't had a chance to really exercise so much. I don't get home from work most nights until pretty late and I'm so exhausted I can barely keep my eyes open. I try to get out at lunch (when I have a chance to take a lunch) and walk as much as I can. I try to push myself through the pain in my feet and legs but like I said, the electric shooting pain lately and feeling light headed has even put a stop to something as simple as walking lately.

I know I need to exercise more, it's just finding the time. Hopefully I can talk my boss into allowing me to telework a couple days a week soon so I can at least start to get back to a somewhat normal schedule and life again.

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RE: venous insufficiency - 6/29/2013 8:35:31 PM   
MistressDarkArt


Posts: 5178
Status: offline 		LW, I'm not an MD or certified yoga teacher, but I do know what worked for me with a somewhat-related problem.

Two yoga postures performed in series to help with edema, circulation and leg pain:

Legs-at-the-wall: lie on your back, arms t'd at your side, neck supported, legs elevated at whatever angle (90 degrees if you can) you can maintain for 10-15 minutes. Cover yourself with a blanket, an eye mask, and use a heating pad under your back if you like. Put on some nice meditation music or enjoy silence...go as deep into your meditation/relaxation as possible. It is essential you feel warm and relaxed. You can separate your legs to any width and angle as long as they are well-elevated. If you find you are having to work to keep your legs up, use a strap around your ankles to support your legs in this posture.

After the allotted time, gently, carefully lower your legs, roll onto one side and let yourself equalize for a few minutes so you don't get a headache or head rush when you sit up. If you feel dizzy when you raise your head, lie back down and give yourself a few more moments.

So: first this:




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RE: venous insufficiency - 6/29/2013 8:36:39 PM   
MistressDarkArt


Posts: 5178
Status: offline 		Now, onto part 2:

After you've done your leg elevation, sit on your feet/legs in a kneeling position (ummm, this may already be familiar to you ) so that your spine is straight and all your weight is compressing your calves/feet. It should feel heavenly on your tail bone, which will hang suspended between your ankles. Stay here for just a couple minutes. If you can't get all the way down to your ankles/heels due to knee pain or stiffness, put any number of pillows or folded blankets under your butt until you can comfortably sit for a while. Then, gently rise up onto your knees and you will feel fresh, oxygenated blood flowing to the affected areas, cleansing and healing them. It feels very tingly, like your blood is carbonated.

Do this combination several times a day. MAKE TIME FOR IT!! When absolutely nothing else helped my situation, this did and I no longer have the discomfort, edema and nerve pain that had me using two canes to walk across the living room. I do at least two sets every day to maintain.

Good luck! Please let me know how it works for you!



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RE: venous insufficiency - 6/29/2013 9:59:10 PM   
littlewonder


Posts: 15659
Status: offline 		I already do something similar to the first yoga position after I get home from work to help with the blood flow. Yoga position two would be impossible for me though. The very thought of sitting on my legs would kill me. It would cause incredible pain right now.

This morning I woke up with an indentation on my left leg which scared the shit out of me. It took about two hours for the indentation to wear off and go back to normal. It looked like when you poke your fingers into rising bread. Talk about a weird feeling.

It's going to be interesting on my trip to Dallas tomorrow. I'll be stuck on a plane for 4 hours. I definitely need to remember to wear my compression socks and take some aspirin. Hopefully I'll be able to sleep and not be thinking about my legs on the plane or the electric shocks. I have a feeling I'm going to be miserable on this trip.

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RE: venous insufficiency - 6/29/2013 10:15:04 PM   
tazzygirl


Posts: 37833
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Status: offline 		Yas know, you can wear your socks to sleep in if they make you feel better.

Oh, and another suggestion. My doctor suggest I sleep with my feet elevated. Because I sleep on my tummy most times, I find it difficult to keep the pillows on the bed (no foot board). I double a body pillow and tuck it under the sheet, keeping it firmly in place.

< Message edited by tazzygirl -- 6/29/2013 10:16:33 PM >

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Telling me to take Midol wont help your butthurt.
RIP, my demon-child 5-16-11
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Dont judge me because I sin differently than you.
If you want it sugar coated, dont ask me what i think! It would violate TOS.

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RE: venous insufficiency - 6/29/2013 10:36:42 PM   
littlewonder


Posts: 15659
Status: offline 		I sometimes wear the socks to bed but it's been really hot lately and I end up taking them off through the night. I always elevate my feet when I go to bed. I have tons of pillows on my bed but I'm a tosser. I toss and turn throughout the night as I'm sleeping or I end up on my right side. During the day, after work or on the weekends, I lie down on the couch with my feet elevated all day and my laptop on my legs.

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