Genetics gave me varicose and spider veins when I was 18 (I'm 23 now). My varicose veins actually got better since I spend less time on my feet in general. But besides the stockings, I don't know of anything else!

I've had varicose veins for a while...not horrible, but they are there. Elevate your feet as much as you can. They have that laser surgery you can do too, although it's expensive.

my mom said that if you get laser surgery to correct varicose veins the varicose veins will appear somewhere else....she might be wrong tho lol!

I also have Varicose Veins but also have Venus Insuffiency(sorry about my bad spelling)...My doctor told me that the varicose veins aren't the reason my legs are swelling that they are a symptom. I had to go to the hospital for an ultrasound and one other test to rule out DVT and clot I find out on Monday

I had vericose veins before my DVT. I had phlebitis twice and about ten years ago I had my saphenous vein stripped from my left leg. What they stripped was all superficial and involved 18 little incisions from my groin to my ankle. I don't know if they do this any more. My DVT was in the same leg but started deep in my calf. My Mom had vericose veins, too.

I've had varicose veins since I've been about 19 years old. Most of the women on my mom's side have them. I've also had plebitis twice.

Just before the DVT, I was going to go in for a consultation to have them stripped or lasered, whatever it is they now do. When I asked the doctor who treated me for the DVT/PE if it would be ok for me to still pursue getting my veins taken care of, he wasn't too enthusiastic about that. He said I could end up having a lot of permanent swelling.

To prevent varicose veins, I would just try to not stand for long periods of time, watch your weight, don't cross your legs. Stuff like that.

I have found that I had some veins previously that I could see but they were not 'raised' like varicose veins. I now have them in my DVT leg - not too bad - but there and I am about 9 mths post DVT. I also have them now in my lower abdomen as my DVT went from belly button to ankle.

my mom said that if you get laser surgery to correct varicose veins the varicose veins will appear somewhere else....she might be wrong tho lol! - misscali

I can say that you're mom's wrong with this. LOL... I've had varicose veins on both legs and spider veins on my face. My doctor had me undergone sclerotherapy for my legs and laser treatment for my face. It took me 4 weeks for my varicose veins to disappear through sclero and days through laser. http://doctorfinders.com/varicosevein.php

I'm so glad to see this discussion. I was about to post a similiar topic.

I have had varicosed veins in my left leg since 1996. Had scleratherapy in 1996 - it didn't help but made it worse! Since then and most recently have had phlebitis almost chronically and especially right before my period - due to hormone fluctuations. I have had thrombo-phlebitis several times too. Jan 10, 2009 had DVT in left leg go to both lungs (PE/ with infarct).

Now that you have my background, my question is, have any of you looked into having the VENACURE procedure perfomed on the varicosed leg that had DVT? I'm still researching and have not found enough details to make me feel like its considered beneficial (or safe) post DVT.
PS: graduated compression stockings have been part of my attire daily for 12 yrs.