varicose vien removal and rls!!

Please share your experiences, successes, and failures in using non-drug therapies for RLS/WED (methods of relief that don't involve swallowing or injecting anything), including compression, heat, light, stretches, acupuncture, etc. Also under this heading, medical interventions that don't involve the administration of a medicine to the body (eg. varicose-vein operations, deep-brain stimulation). [This forum contains Topics started prior to 2009 that deal with Non-prescription Medicines, Supplements, & Diet.]
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trevb
Posts: 214
Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2005 3:49 pm

varicose vien removal and rls!!

Post by trevb »

Hi,
From the discussion forum of the Ekbom Support Group (UK)
There has always been reports that removal of varicose veins in the legs was accompanied by restless legs relief - even if only for 6 months.

This report is of a new treatment (USA of course) with a mention of RLS relief.

http://www.theomahachannel.com/health/4 ... etail.html


**Berryman's procedure took about an hour, and she was back at work the same day of her surgery. She will wear compression hosiery all day for several days. She said she feels great, despite a bit of bruising initially, that is already fading.

"The pain is reduced, is the first thing I noticed, and at night, I don't have the restless legs that I had before," she said.**


Anyone had any similar experiences?
trev

ViewsAskew
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Post by ViewsAskew »

I've seen it mentioned in a few places. Might be that the Mayo algorithm even mentions it. But, I've not tried it. I do have them, but they are not terrible. I doubt my insurance would cover it! I was just thinking about it yesterday, though.
Ann

DrWass2
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Location: East Coast USA

Post by DrWass2 »

Maaybe the compression stockings have something to do with the relief?? yes

ViewsAskew
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Post by ViewsAskew »

Yeah, but they only wear the stockings for a few days. I'm not saying the stockings don't help, but in this case, it is not related to them. There are a lot of people who love pressure on their legs for RLS, but there a lot of others that cannot tolerate any pressure at all without instant RLS. Seems the ones who like the pressure would benefit.

I can only find one study from 1995 that says sclerotherapy works, and no studies about this new treatment. Hopefully someone will do some soon! I haven't visited the Ekbom site in awhile to see what it says or if there is a new study. And, insurance isn't likely to pay for it, either. The following is on this site:

"There are many anecdotal reports of temporary improvement of RLS by physical pressure to the legs such as massage, wrapping the legs with bandages, or even using a vibrating device. Other suggested nonpharmacologic treatments include transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation,(158) conditioning therapy,(159) and various procedures to reduce incompetent veins,(160) but none of these ancillary treatments have been clearly established to be effective. In particular, the Edinburgh vein study found that most lower-limb symptoms (including RLS) probably have a nonvenous cause, and surgical intervention (i.e., sclerotherapy or “vein stripping”) is unlikely to alleviate the symptoms.(161)" http://www.restlesslegs.org/literature/bulletin.html

Ann

trevb
Posts: 214
Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2005 3:49 pm

Post by trevb »

the other thing that would concern me about varicose vien removal is it is a surgical proceedure and i have heard a few times of rls getting worse after any injury or invasive proceedure? maybe this proceedure isnt invasive enough though? hmm

Jill in Australia

surgery

Post by Jill in Australia »

I'm new to this site and as you can see am having a bit to say. Yes I had surgery for my RLS (veins) about 7 y ago and from memory relief lasted about 6 months then worse than ever, but by then I was in a bullying/discriminatory environment situation at work and I think stress like this exacerbates my legs. Jill

trevb
Posts: 214
Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2005 3:49 pm

Post by trevb »

thanks jill for giving that personal info related to this topic,i have seen a couple of articles saying the same... that relief is temporary...so your info is helpful too.
trev

oh... and welcome!

Kris
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Post by Kris »

Interesting. I know from MRIs that I do have a problem with deep varicose veins.

I can't stand support hose though. They just kill me.

Irmajs
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Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2018 10:40 pm

Re: varicose vien removal and rls!!

Post by Irmajs »

My cardiologist told me that I had 4 viens in each leg that should be destroyed through a new procedure as they were leaking (letting blood flow the wrong direction) and that once they were done that it would get rid of my RLS. Even the poster in his office said that it would cure RLS. I had it done two years ago over a 4 month period, as they can only do one vein at a time. After the procedures My dr still insisted that once my legs healed and my body grew new productive viens as the old one would be absorbed into my system that I would be RLS free. No such luck after two years. The neurologist I’ve had for the last 4 yrs gave me Requip which he increased every year with no blood tests or any other testing. Last fall l just couldn’t stand the augmentation I was getting and decided it was time to do some research and take my health into my hand. It took me 3 months to find and 6 months to get an appt with a neurologist that specializes in movement disorders. We discovered together that my ferritin level is 7! She immediately referred me to a hematologist for iron infusions. As most of you know, ferritin levels should be over 100 for people with RLS. She is also helping me get off of Requip. She suggested just changing the meds and I told her no I want off. She won’t prescribe opioids so I am doing it with some othe meds and and so far so good. I hope is, and I realize it may be just wishful thinking, but I hope bring up my ferritin level get rid of my RLS. It’s not unheard of, but for most it just helps to make the RLS symptoms manageable. I would suggest that anyone who hasn’t had their ferritin level check to have it done. My hematology appt is in two weeks.

Polar Bear
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Re: varicose vien removal and rls!!

Post by Polar Bear »

Irmajs - you are comng off the Ropinerole/Requip without the use of opiods and are using some other meds, with success.
It would be interesting to know what dose of Requip you were on daily, and to know which meds you are using to come off the Requip.
Betty
https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/a ... 0/fulltext
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation

legsbestill
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Re: varicose vien removal and rls!!

Post by legsbestill »

Your story is heartbreaking. To induce false hope like that is almost criminal and surely negligent. You are definitely in for a hard time coming off the dopamine agonists without the help of an opioid BUT it will ultimately be worth it. If you are in an area where Kratom is legal it might be worth trying that as a temporary measure if things get really bad.

Raising iron levels can have a dramatic effect and even if it doesn’t entirely eliminate symptoms it can help a lot. Ultimately you could consider an iv iron infusion if your specialist can arrange it. This speeds up the process of raising iron levels and gets them to much higher levels than is possible by supplement alone. It is often very beneficial.

ViewsAskew
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Re: varicose vien removal and rls!!

Post by ViewsAskew »

Irmajs - parts of our stories are identical. No vein issues, but a neuro who assured me he could treat me, increased the DA until I was so augmented I had 24/7 RLS, never tested my ferritin (mine turned out to be 8), and so on. Had another who refused to believe augmentation existed or that opioids worked. I am so sorry you have gone through this. One of the reasons I became a moderator was to help ensure others didn't have to go through what I did. Yet, you just did. I feel so discouraged sometimes that the doctors are still this behind the times and that more people have to be treated this way.

I hope the hematologist is amenable to an infusion. There is a protocol for it. I used to have it, but my computer - with it on it - was destroyed in shipping. Maybe Dr. Buchfuhrer would share his? You likely know of him and that he answers patient questions - somno@verizon.net.
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest

Managing Your RLS

Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

psimingt
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Re: varicose vien removal and rls!!

Post by psimingt »

I have had 2 of 4 needed vein ablutions. Bad circulation especially in my right leg which had the worst RLS. I noticed my RLS symptoms are almost gone. I have reduced my highly augmented mirapex dose of 1 mg to half and plan to wean off the meds. It seems to get better every day and have forgotten to take my pills until much later whic in the past would have caused horrible symptoms before but none now.

ViewsAskew
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Re: varicose vien removal and rls!!

Post by ViewsAskew »

psimingt wrote:I have had 2 of 4 needed vein ablutions. Bad circulation especially in my right leg which had the worst RLS. I noticed my RLS symptoms are almost gone. I have reduced my highly augmented mirapex dose of 1 mg to half and plan to wean off the meds. It seems to get better every day and have forgotten to take my pills until much later whic in the past would have caused horrible symptoms before but none now.


Great news! See my post in response to your question about stopping. Hope it goes well!
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest

Managing Your RLS

Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

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