To think treatment for varicose veins should be available on the NHS

[Aliceandtherabbit]

I'm told its not, as its a cosmetic matter. AIBU to think this is just not right?

I am quite surprised by this. Are you sure this is right? other cosmetic procedures are available?

I'm sure that you can have them stripped on the NHS. I know a few people who have.

Iirc, it can be quite dangerous if they are banged and they cut and bleed.

My mum and dad have both had veins done on the NHS. Are you sure?

I've been told that is is. My SIL has an extreme condition effecting the blood vessels in her face, which makes her skin permanently bright red, and was told that if it were varicose veins (on her legs!) she'd be able to have it done. As it is she has to put up with it.

Perhaps it's different for different places?

Perhaps it depends on the severity? Maybe it's one of those things they will only do if it reaches a certain level?

Certainly ask for a second opinion!

Look up the recent NICE guidance ( literally a week or so ago) print off and take to GP .

Funding is patchy but you will have a decent case for applying to CCG for funding as NICE say they should be treated ( but of course NICE is " guidence" agency..)

My boss had hers done on the NHS last summer. There must be more to it, perhaps they have to be particularly bad or painful or something.

It depends on the severity.

If it is very mild, and unlikely to cause problems, you won't get an NHS referral until the condition changes.

It's not just the "label" - it's the impact. Macular degeneration has been "rationed" like this thought the 00s, despite the hideousness of pretty much forcing someone to be blind in one eye before acting.

The treatment doesn't have a very good success rate which is why funding is being restricted/withdrawn.
It depends on how bad it is but I have/had them and wouldn't get treatment.

Can't say I agree, when people are dying of real illnesses due to cost constraints.

If it is just a cosmetic issue, then YABVU.

A friend of mine has been trying for years to get her varicose vein removed on the NHS, until recently it looked so bad across a large part of her leg that she ended up paying privately to get it done. I think that's fair enough, because she had been referred to the hospital who had told her it wouldn't actually cause any physical harm to her, so it was just a cosmetic thing. If it had presented a medical need, the they would have done it on the NHS, but it didn't.

There are so many treatments that people actually need that are restricted, or that have ridiculous waiting times, it is not at all reasonable to expect limited resources to be used on something that doesn't need to be done.

yanbu

biased as i have them and would love to get em removed

I think it should be available on NHS.
I have quite bad varicose veins in my legs. I could have it done but I haven't gone down that route yet, due to being self employed and not wanting to let down my customers/ lose pay.

My legs are tender and I can't bare the children to touch them they are that sore.

Yes they look bloody awful and I just keep them covered up as I am ashamed of them. I am only 34. But for me it's the pain that upsets me the most.

Yanbu I have mild varicose veins not all bulging but very unsightly, my legs itch like crazy they swell in the heat and feel uncomfortable, I get dead leg feeling and shooting pains and they feel like dead weights when I stand to iron or do dishes etc, im in my 20s and won't go swimming, on holiday, wear skirts or dresses or shorts in the heatwave they make me miserable and I think about them everyday but apparently it's cosmetic :-(