Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

My legs are horrific feeling very down :(

34 replies

IcedCoffeeQueen · 12/07/2013 14:02

Roughly 2 years ago the vein on my inner thigh started to bulge out within a few months the length of the vein increased and I can now see the whole vein running from knee up the inner thigh to my groin, also I can see under the skin not yet bulging blue veins branching off this vein up my knee and down my leg, the veins bulge around my ankles and my foot. On the other leg I have dark blue veins not bulging but dark circles behind my knee and extending up my thigh, today I came out the shower and just cried im so hot and stuck in jeans even in this heat wave. The dc's want to go swimming but I cant bear to take them, dh has offered to book a holiday to Spain for 2014 but how can I go abroad and not be able to wear skirts, dresses, shorts its really getting me down and im only in my mid 20's I feel like the only person in the world like this. To make matters worse the veins on my arms and hands bulge too at the slightest hint of warmth what is happening to me :(

OP posts:
kelda · 12/07/2013 14:06

The chances are, it's not nearly as noticable to other people as it is to yourself.

If you have varicose veins, you can go to the doctor. The earlier the better - they can be treated succesfully. Many young people have varicose veins, often due to pregnancy.

bettycocker · 12/07/2013 14:29

Is it varicose veins or are you just a veiny person?

Original poster
IcedCoffeeQueen · 12/07/2013 14:33

Ive never been a veiny person before except for the insides of arms as im very pale skinned but the bulging is a new thing, pretty sure they are varicose veins :( they really are very noticeable I wont even let dh see my from behind or in a towel anymore

OP posts:
3littlefrogs · 12/07/2013 14:39

Please go and see your GP. You can have them treated.

novelsituation · 12/07/2013 14:42

Go to your doctor. i had a horrible vein done after having my second child. It was caused by pregnancy, and I know several women who had the same thing.

I was a day patient, then had a bit of discomfort for a few days. It was no big deal, but the result was great.

12 years later I can see a vein on the other leg, which is showing signs of becoming varicose. When it gets worse, I'll go to my GP, but hoping to stave it off by keeping my weight down, exercise, good diet etc.

I agree with kelda that it will be ten times more noticeable to you than to others.

snowgal · 12/07/2013 14:55

I had a varicose vein stripped out when I was 23, it was very ugly and that leg felt heavy and drained of energy. I have others which have since come up on my other leg (I'm genetically predisposed to them), I've given up hiding my legs now as I think having very pale legs with obvious blue veins looks worse than having them out and having a bit of tan. Have you tried fake tanning to see if it improves or get your legs out in the sun privately?

Would definitely echo what others have said and get to the doctor and explain how the veins are getting you down. Also that it is probably much more obvious to you than others.

Ihatemytoes · 12/07/2013 15:00

I had my varicose veins lasered away last year. Best thing ever. Go and see your GP.

McButtonwillow · 12/07/2013 19:46

I feel your pain. I had bad varicose veins on both legs operated on last year and before that I was so self concious I wore long jeans even on boiling hot days.

The year it's completely different, I still have some residual spider veins left but they are nothing compared to how they looked before and i am even wearing shorts this year. See your GP and tell them they are constantly aching and painful- surgery is well worth it IMO.

ouryve · 12/07/2013 19:53

Veins are a normal part of anatomy and are usually visible on those of us who are pale skinned. It sounds harsh, but there's no sense in being self conscious about something that is just a normal part of your body. Is there something else awry that would cause you to fixate on them?

If the veins are lumpy or particularly tender to touch, they might be varicose veins. It's probably worth visiting your GP to have them checked.

ouryve · 12/07/2013 19:57

And f you have dark patches, then they're probably thread veins and they are a sign of varicose veins. Do get them seen to, if they're making you so miserable.

ameliameerkat · 12/07/2013 22:33

I had my varicose veins stripped last year at the age of 32 and this summer I'm in shorts and knee lengths skirts! Grin

Just a word of caution about going to to your GP. I think depending on your NHS area, you can't get varicose veins treated for 'cosmetic' reasons (this includes being seriously down about how they look, they hurt when you stand up, affect your life mentally and physically). It took an inflamed vein with a blood clot (not a scary kind one) in it for me to get on the waiting list to get them operated on. So glad I did though! There was a few days of pain after the operation (mine were too bad to be lasered, so had to be stripped) and I still don't have marvellous legs (some blue veins) but I'm so much happier with them now.

thistooshallpasswontit · 12/07/2013 22:45

I feel your pain op. I went to my gp about mine last year because they are so bad (ugly, painful, itchy, hot to touch and they really bulge in my left leg). Even my mw told me I must get them sorted out. My gp agreed mine are bad but said they aren't treated via the nhs anymore:( I am living in long skirts and dresses this summer and hoping to get them done privately but it is £££

AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom · 12/07/2013 22:48

Go to your GP.

But on the 'style and beauty' aspect. Just go swimming. Other people notice less than you realise. If you feel better, wear a long towel round your waist to the edge of the pool. Life is for living. Please don't be held back from enjoying you kids and your holiday by a vein. It's only blood!

Littlepumpkinpie · 12/07/2013 23:46

Mine are horrid and I am saving to have them done private. My GP said I cannot have them done on the NHS even though they can be very painful and itchy.

Ashoething · 13/07/2013 08:28

I have terrible varicose veins on my legs.One really bad one that looks like a huge bruise and loads small blue ones. I usually live in tights or hold-ups.

Its been far too hot this week though so I just thought fuck it and put the sally Hansen airbrush legs stuff on. You can still see my veins but not as badly.And you know what? no one pointed or laughed!

Please don't miss out on doing things with your kids due to your legs-I promise you that no one else will notice!

justgivemeareason · 13/07/2013 09:43

Yes that Sally Hansen make-up for legs stuff is really good and hides my patches of thread veins.

Inthebeginning · 13/07/2013 10:10

Just wanted to say, I don't have varicus veins but I do have stretch marks all over my calves that I've had since I was 14. I used to hide my legs all the time til I went on holiday abroad and there were women of all shapes and sizes in all types of clothes and I thought "sod it!" I feel lots better now, I wear dresses, shorts etc.

I do think others are right about you going to drs. And also about the fake tan.

I hope you're ok.

Shellywelly1973 · 13/07/2013 18:18

Ive got psoriasis, veins, stretch marks& really badly shaped legs. Im only size 8 but I've got trunks for legs. I wear jeans all year round, today is so hot but i don't actually own a skirt or dress! I thought i was the only one who never gets their legs out...

minibmw2010 · 13/07/2013 21:23

First please go to your GP. Second, maxi dresses are your friend!

Original poster
IcedCoffeeQueen · 13/07/2013 22:04

Thanks everyone, today was indeed a very hot day but I had to make it through in skinny jeans! ive not tried a real fake tan but the gradual tanners don't help ive just ordered the sally Hansen leg stuff and remaining hopeful. Ive never mentioned it to my gp as I didn't think anything would be done on the NHS, I worry that there is a health reason for my veins as nearly all the veins on my legs bulge a little in the heat and in my arms, hands, feet, chest too they are actually palpable ive googled a lot but I cant see any possible reason for it it only started happening over the last few years too :(

OP posts:
MrsMcGregor · 13/07/2013 22:24

I, too, feel your pain. I've awful veins on both legs - from thigh right down. They bulge and if I wear something tight and it's hot, I can see the bulge. However, the hot weather is getting the better of me and I've ordered a pair of shorts and some sundresses to try - just to wear around home though!!

The Sally Hansen stuff - does it wash off or will an application last a few days? Might get some to tone down the whiteness!!

Dollydowser · 14/07/2013 08:07

Vitamin C is essential for strengthening thing blood vessels, try increasing your fruit and veg intake and maybe take a supplement. Also the bioflavonoids, such as rutin, the main food source of rutin is buckwheat, which comes as a grain a bit like quinoa, or flakes which you can add to porridge and muesli, and also flour.

defineme · 14/07/2013 08:11

As everyone else has said, go to gp. In the mean time in this heatwave I have not shown my legs as I'm plain fat, but I've wafted about feeling cool in lovely maxi skirts from primark and dresses too. As for swimming -lots of the women where I was in Spain last year were wearing those surf swim shorts things with bikini tops.

I would go to gps though and go soon so they see them in the heat when it's worse.

valiumredhead · 15/07/2013 09:36

My Dh was told the nhs only do veins in emergencies now, such as phlebitis. He's had then since he was 14, it's hereditary, and seen the gp many times. The veins are bleeding under the skin and he was just given cream. Looked into getting it done privately but we can't stretch to 4k for both legs.

Original poster
IcedCoffeeQueen · 15/07/2013 12:14

Just tried sally Hansen legs didn't cover anything just looked orange and veiny and £10 down finished crying now I was hopefull for it to work as the behind leg veins are not bulging but too dark blue obviously :'(

OP posts: