Could this be a varicose vein? (Sorry if gross)

[BreeVDKamp]

Here is the back of my knee. I've had this vein forever, looking at it I'm not sure it's bulgy enough to be a varicose vein but I don't know much about them.

I am kept awake tonight by a terrible dull ache (sounds like a contradiction) that spreads from the back of my knee across my thigh, bum cheek and to the very bottom of my spine, and round into my groin, only on my right hand side.

This isn't unusual as I often get this exact ache and it feels like the epicentre is this vein. Although now I've got up and stretched a lot it seems to have moved to my groin. As soon as I lie back down to go to sleep I get this horrid dull ache again.

Anyway I read that varicose veins can cause a dull ache. I have always been, shall we say, robust, and I do a job where I'm either on my feet all day or sitting down all day, which I read can lead to v veins, but I run 3x a week and am relatively fit. Always had bad hamstrings, e.g I can't straighten my legs out in front of me without it really hurting. I'm mid 20s. And v uncomfortable :( and can't sleep :(

I don't feel it's serious enough to take up a GP appointment, what do you think?

Here:

Poor thing, sounds horrible. I think that something that keeps you awake in the middle of the night, is painful enough that you post on the internet and could also be something more serious definitely warrants a GP visit. There are treatments available.

Well when you put it like that gunpowder perhaps you're right. I'll ring up in the morning. Thanks I appreciate it!

Now back to the stretching... :-/

Hope they are helpful!

I'm no expert but it sounds very similar to what i have, which is a varicose vein. Only reason i know is because it was blocked and became infected after having my DD (which meant being rushed in for urgent scans for suspected dvt).

I have the ache but it runs from my ankle to thigh. And there is no obvious bulging vein but having had it scanned i know thats what it is. I want it removed but keep being told i have to give it longer to settle down after having DD.