Varicose Veins — Jackie's Story

Jackie* first noticed those ugly purple streaks soon after the birth of her third child. "The varicose veins were never welcome, but I figured it was part of growing older. Almost all of my sisters and friends have them as well," said Jackie. She noted that in the past the veins may have been unsightly, but they really were not bothersome. Until now. Recently, she took a job as a checkout clerk at a local retail store. Since standing on her feet for eight hours a day Jackie has noticed that her legs ache and burn by the end of the day. She tried overthe- counter vein cream with no success.

Jackie went to her family health care provider to see if there was something more that could ease the pain she had every night. She was sent to a vascular specialist for a consultation. The first step was to wear prescription support hose, which helped. The hose came up to her knees and relieved some of the aching. Since she had large ropey veins that were very visible, the specialist recommended endovenous laser treatment as a procedure to help ease the pain of varicose veins. The laser closes the main faulty vein that is the source of visible varicose veins. Blood then circulates through other veins to return to the heart.

Her treatment was scheduled and she was told she would have a few small incisions that should not be too obvious. She went in two hours before her treatment, which lasted about an hour. She was able to go home a short time later. She was told to wear her stockings for several weeks whenever she was on her feet. Jackie returned to work in two days and felt much better. The pain went away quickly and she is glad she got relief from the nightly aching and burning. "My veins not only stopped hurting but they have shrunk in size and look much better."

* Jackie is a composite of individuals