Varicose vein treatment on the NHS.

[FFSItsTooHot]

Has anyone had treatment on the NHS for varicose veins lately? I have a large one just behind my right knee. I'm not bothered about what it looks like as I always wear trousers,or a dress that covers it. But it hurts and throbs, especially during the hot weather we've had this summer, and it itches sometimes. I've done some research online and it appears that the NHS are rather strict about eligibility for treatment,e.g. they won't treat them for cosmetic purposes. I'm hoping to be put on the waiting list for a hip replacement operation in the near future and I've read that having a varicose vein, especially in the affected leg, can increase your chances of getting a blood clot. So I'm particularly keen to get it sorted. Anyone have any experience of something similar?

Yes I had mine done last year - some using laser and some were injected with foam. I got a referral from my GP to the vascular clinic. They scanned me, and rated the veins on 7 criteria. You had to get a certain number to qualify for treatment, mine were 7/7. I had the procedure as a day case and was in and out in 90 minutes. The skin was discoloured (a brown colour on white skin), for about six months, but it has faded. I’m so glad had them done as they were hot and itchy and very annoying

Nightmanagerfan Can you tell me how long you had to wait for the treatment after being referred? Also,do you know what the minimum score out of 7 is to be eligible for treatment?

Nightmanagerfan Also,do you know what is meant by 'discolouration of the skin'? I think the skin around my varicose veins looks a bit discoloured,but I'm not sure of the definition. I've posted a photo of it.

Apologies for the delay! I had mine amazingly quickly after referral - I had the referral in January and the treatment in March because they were running a catch up clinic/surgery on a Saturday. (This is in London.) Before the referral I had two appointments where I had gone to the GP about pain/itching etc, so she could see it was an ongoing issue. I think I needed 6 out of 7 on the score to qualify. To be honest, looking at yours, mine were about the same, if not worse in places, and the discolouration looks similar. The main vein they treated was completely dead/useless, and the surgeon (who was hilarious and had treated Mrs Hinch the influencer the week before!) said it was good I had it done as it would have been at high risk of ulcerisation (if that's a word) as I got older. I am mid-40s now. I don't regret it at all - they look great and it was amazing this summer in the heatwave not to be itching all night and having to put ice packs on my legs. Good luck - let me know how you get on.

Nightmanagerfan Thank you for your reply. I'm in the London area too,so sounds hopeful. I've got an appointment to see my GP in 2 weeks so I'm hoping he will refer me for treatment. I'll let you know how it goes!

Hope it goes well! I had mine done at Guys & St Thomas’. In and out in less than 2 hours. The anaesthetic was the worst bit

I didn’t qualify for nhs treatment so went private. V pleased with the results though. If you can, I’d say definitely get them done.