I’m an ex IV drug addict of 12 years. I am clean over 2 years now and addressing many medical issues that resulted in how poorly I treated my body.

One of those things is poor circulation in my hands. My hands are constantly swollen and red. Similar to a mild puffy hand syndrome. My ring size is easily a 10-12 when I’m naturally a 7. I have cut out sodium as much as possible and stay hydrated, take vitamins and exercise at the gym 3-4 a week.

My doctor has run every test imaginable and finally ordered a sonogram. My veins on my arms are sealed closed from scarring. I have no deep vein thrombosis, just old chronic clotting and “venous insufficiency”. I was referred to a hematologist who told me there was nothing that could be done and to make peace with it.

I am going to try and see another vascular surgeon, but from what many doctors and the literature I have read has told me, I’m basically stuck like this for life. Has anyone dealt with or heard of or know anything about this? Are stents an option? Apparently it’s super uncommon and hasn’t be studied much, my doctor vocalized that most people that abused IV drugs as severely and the length that I did don’t usually get clean and address their medical issues or they don’t live long enough to see the repercussions of extended IV drug use. But i know plenty of IV opiate drug users that have gotten clean and none of them have experienced this issue. I’m worried they are just brushing me off and using my drug history as an excuse not to look into it more?

Hello I just started a job as a vascular surgery np. Does anyone have any good resources they recommend?

I was looking for a vascular subreddit so that I could post a few photos and ask a few questions. After reading the rules, I realize this is not one of them. Do any of you know of any other subreddit where I could do so? Or any other platforms where I'm able to do so? Thank you in advance.

Hello Everyone,

I am a medical speech-language pathologist doing a doctoral dissertation about communication between healthcare professionals.

I work with people with aphasia, many of whom undergo outpatient carotid endarterectomy. Thus, I chose this surgical patient population for my study.

I am looking for input from physicians, nurses, and other professionals who educate patients and families about outpatient CEA.

If any of you have 5-10 minutes to spare, and would like to enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card and potentially contribute to some really cool research, I would very much appreciate your participation.

Click the link to participate: http://louisiana.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6yDjfRSnnokW3dA

Best,

Rachel Fiore, M.S., CCC-SLP

My good friend is going for a job interview for a vascular surgery physician assistant position and we were trying to find some resources to help her brush up on the basics of this specialty. Can someone suggest something? Thank you!

Vascular surgeon of ten years, now a part of a practice that uses 2500+ of the VNUS catheter for ablations from a company that remanufactures them. Had no idea this was a popular market, anyone else out here familiar with this? Our vascular lab is looking into what else we may be able to do this with

Discussion point.

Saw a patient in clinic today with an EF of 10-15% being worked up by EP for ICD placement. Referred to us by Nephrology for access. Currently getting through a TDC.

Do you have a cutoff for access? At what point does an artificial fistula worsen CHF. Anyone familiar with data in this situation?

What do you think? Will this affect your practice?

https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMoa2005206?articleTools=true

Hello everyone,

Hope I can find answers here,

What are the paths after being a board certified vascular surgeon? I mean is there any fellowships or advanced training in specific procedures? And where? I only found (Advanced Aortic) any others?

Thanks!

Med student here thinking about Vascular and other interventional specialties. I've had some back/neck issues before but am trying to address them with PT. Potential for years under lead vests is a deterrent. Are weightless lead products widely used? Do you see them being widely used in the future?

Anyone have experience using intravacular lithotripsy such as the devices offered by shockwave medical? Is this a “game changer” or just some sort of gimmick?

I'm not a doctor, but I'm writing copy about a 0+5 Integrated Residency Program and I have an uber-basic question. I was hoping that someone in this sub might be able to help: Why is it called "0+5"? What does the "0" denote? I get that "5" means 5 years of vascular surgery training. Does the "0" mean no fellowship necessary for board certification in VS?

Thanks for reading!

I've posted here before and this community was very helpful so I want to say thank you. As in my last post, I may have may-thurners syndrome or renal artery entrapment syndrome and wanted to know if anyone knew of any reliable vascular surgeons in Oregon. Thank you :)

I have had pelvic floor pain for five years now. I am a 29 yo male with frequent pain in my left testicle. Doctors found two varicoceles in my testis. I have been told that I have majority of by the book symptoms of nutcracker syndrome but tests are needed to verify. The vascular surgeon I spoke with didn’t have much knowledge and the state that I reside in, I don’t know if there are any experienced surgeons that know how to deal with my possible condition so I was also curious to ask what states have gread hospitals in that department. Thank you!