I discovered a random bruise on my knee last night (the top one). This morning there's another one, and it's a little raised/sore to the touch.
Would CVI cause something like this? I don't remember hitting my knee on anything.
I tend to get tired a lot and sometimes even a little lightheaded. More so if I've been on my feet too long or after walking on the treadmill. My feet/calves are often achy/heavy my this point too. When it gets to me I generally take a break and put my legs up, which makes me feel better after about 15 mins or so. The more I push myself the more I feel this way.
And yes, I'm wearing compression socks daily.
Anyone else deal with this sort of thing? I'm trying to figure out if it's more the condition or the medication I'm taking ... or maybe a combination of both.
My feet/legs ache just about every morning, but the discomfort goes away once I put my compression socks on. I kinda wish I could sleep in them. These days I keep them on till I'm getting ready for bed.
Sometimes I get breakthrough pain/heaviness (especially after standing too long or after a treadmill walk) and I have to sit down with my feet up for a bit. I get lightheaded periodically and my toes go numb/tingly too.
Is this normal for CVI? Do I need better compression socks? I really don't want to have to do the ablation thing.
It's been less than a week since my CVI diagnosis, so I'm still learning about all this and hope you all don't mind all the questions.
Today I came across mention of prolonged exposure to excessive heat (hot showers, hot tubs, summer sun) not being great for people with CVI, especially those with varicose veins. But what is considered "prolonged exposure" ... 30 mins, an hour, two? Can't seem to find an answer there.
Would a hot shower be okay if it's quick? I'm always cold and have Raynaud's, so I can't really do cold showers. My showers are probably 15 mins or less anyway.
I don't have varicose veins (yet) but I do have a couple spider veins, does that mean the hot tub out completely for me now, or could I do maybe 30 mins instead of the typical hour or more?
I'll ask my doctor about this next time I see him, but figured I'd ask here too.
I haven't been super active in the last couple months due to my symptoms, but I'd been feeling better with medication and compression stockings in recent weeks and started walking again. The last few days I've been trying short bursts of jogging/running, but this morning I had some achy/burning sensations in my inner thigh area afterwards. It was minor, so I didn't think much of it. Until this evening.
During my PM walk I tried another burst of jogging and got a sharp burning pain in my upper quad area. Not like muscle pain, more like what I usually get in my shins/calves. So I think I aggravated something.
The doctor did say my CVI was worse above the knee, but until today all my symptoms were below the knee.
I'm sitting with my legs up on my chaise right now and I still feel it. Should I be worried?
My vascular specialist wants me to consider this medication. It's an antidepressant (SNRI) that's used off-label for chronic pain. Anyone else on this?
I looked it up and it appears to have lots of side effects I'm not excited about.
Currently I'm taking low-dose Cymbalta (also an SNRI), which takes the edge off, but doesn't address all my symptoms. I could go up with the dosage, but it already gives me constipation.
Anyway, I'm just trying to figure out what everyone else is doing. Thanks for any input :)
So I (52f) was recently diagnosed (via ultrasound) with CVI by a vascular specialist. He said I was "way positive," adding that it was worse above the knee. However, all my symptoms are below the knee ... persistent achy/tight/heaviness, primarily in the balls of my feet and numbness/tingling in my toes, all of which comes and goes in my calves. Ankle rotations and scrunching my toes make it worse. Does that mean anything/is it common? I forgot to ask the doctor this, but I will when I see him next.
He did say I could also have neuropathy, but it looks like it's going to be a while before I can get in to see a neurologist.
What do you all think ... do my symptoms sound more like CVI or neuropathy?
Oh, I also have Raynaud's in my fingers/toes, but taking medication for that.
I (52f) saw a vascular specialist a couple weeks ago. Got an ultrasound and discussed results today. The doctor said I was "way positive" for venous insufficiency. He believes there's a hormonal factor involved.
So now I have to wear compression socks all the time and follow up in 3 weeks, at which time we can talk about medication and possibly ablation.
I'm kinda freaking out and trying to learn all I can about this.
Currently I don't have any swelling or discoloration, but achy/heaviness, numbness/tingling, and restless legs. Some nerve pain too, which my PCP thinks is neuropathy. Got a referral but may be a while before I can see a neurologist.