Varicose veins

[Essexmummy88]

During pregnancy I developed awful varicose veins on my legs, three months after birth they are still there and if anything, worse than before. Is this something the NHS would be able to remove for me or not as it is cosmetic? They don’t cause pain but they look awful, I’m only 29 and I am sweltering in the heat just too embarrassed to reveal my legs to anyone.

They are rarely rarely treated on the NHS these days unless complicated, e.g. bleeding or ulcerating.

I’m same age and have one on one of my legs. Won’t treat them unless they cause complications

I had a massive one on my shin for years and a few others starting in other places. I was so conscious I sweltered in the gear each summer and then finally got them done last year... The best thing I've ever done! My only regret is that I didn't get it done sooner... I'm 39 now. I live in Ireland though, and pay private health insurance (unfortunately our shitty health service means most people do!) so getting them done privately was possible. But I 100% recommend it if at all possible for you.

If no pain and no ulcers/bleeding your chances are almost nil u less you live in an area that is still much behind other ccgs with policies in that regards.

As you say they don't look good so not a health need. The NHS struggled enough trying to treat health conditions.

Our miracle how do you cope? Is there any way to disguise them slightly?

I’m veey fortunate in that it’s only one vein on the inside of my leg and because I have various other scars and they aren’t bumpy it doesn’t really bother me. In actual fact mine just look like a small bruise

My scars are much worse tbh

I have painful varicose veins and my GP told me that they wouldn't refer me unless my leg became ulcerated or I developed varicose eczema.
I walk for at least a mile a day, use plenty of good moisturiser twice daily on my legs and wear support tights when I'm due on as that's when the pain is worst.

I also discovered horse chestnut tablets which are a natural remedy (v cheap on amazon) and they have worked a treat. Veins have gone down and pain has eased off considerably. Obviously check in case of allergies etc but may be worth a try?

Vascular surgeon here. Most areas limit treatment to patients with eczema caused by their veins, ulcers, bleeding and phlebitis . You can however appeal if you have severe pain from varicose veins that affects your quality of life especially if you do a job with a lot of standing with no relief from special graduated compression stockings which you get on prescription. These help prevent high pressure in the legs and ulcers in later life.

Check out Horse Chestnut tablets & Serrapeptase.. meant to be amazing!! I've just started taking them for my swollen ankles & thread veins.

Oops, didn't realise someone else had also recommended Horse Chestnut. Serrapeptase is a natural enzyme that cleans your body out of all dead tissue.. including in the organs, veins and arteries.