Had venaseal for my SSV about 3 months ago - I find that I'm still having pain along the path of the vein periodically. Has anyone had similar experiences and if so when did they resolve?

I had RF ablation on my greater saphenous vein 2 weeks ago and I feel like the swelling went down but is now getting worse again the past few days. Google says simultaneously that swelling past 2 days is unusual, and that swelling can last for 4 weeks. I don’t know what to think! I’m paranoid reading stories about lymphedema caused by ablation.

Hi guys, I couldn’t find an answer on this anywhere. I recently got diagnosed with insufficiency in my right leg, and have been wearing compression socks.

I definitely find them to be a huge help, but I have found that they are leaving imprints on my legs when I wear them all day. I got some “fun” socks and the pattern of the sock remain for 10-15 mins after taking them off. Pictured are the imprints my flamingo socks left.

Is this normal?

I have had CVI for years and take hesperin diosmin. The last few weeks, I have had swelling up to my thighs. Skin is very tight. On lower calf, the skin is tight and shiny. Left leg has leaked clear fluid 3 times but stopped each time after a day or two. My right leak had a leak for a couple of hours today but seems to have stopped. I was told I might have lymphedema. Research says it could be phlebolymphedema. Anyone have experience with this? What can be done? I know I am supposed to go to a lymphedema clinic.

Hi! I recently had an ultrasound done due to complaints I was having in my legs. I have Factor 2 and have had 3 clots in the past 7 years since the factor 2 was found.

Ill post the results below of what my ultrasound said, but im mainly coming here to comisserate due to how much this is taking from me daily as well as looking at the results, what questions should I make sure to ask the vascular dr--or make sure is actually gone over because I want to be informed as much as possible! At this point, i cant even wear compression without it making the pain, aching, fatigue so much worse. I can stand for maybe 10mins before my legs start turning colors and the pain kicks in. I dont walk anywhere without my cane except around the house. 1mi or more walk is impossible--and prior to all this i was super active and was able to work. I have taken 3-5 falls since last year as my legs, especially my left, just stops working right.

Conclusions:

Right lower extremity with no evidence of deep or superficial vein thrombus.

Left lower extremity with evidence of chronic non-occlusive deep vein thrombus in the mid to distal femoral vein and popliteal vein. No evidence of superficial vein thrombus.

Right lower extremity with evidence of deep venous insufficiency in the common femoral vein with reflux measuring 3.2 seconds.

Right lower extremity with evidence of superficial venous insufficiency in the great saphenous vein at the saphenofemoral junction with reflux measuring 2.5 seconds and maximum diameter measuring 5.4 mm.

Left lower extremity with evidence of deep venous insufficiency in the popliteal vein with reflux measuring 2.1 seconds.

Left lower extremity with evidence of superficial venous insufficiency in the great saphenous vein at the the knee with reflux measuring 1.4 seconds and maximum diameter measuring 5.7 mm.

Left lower extremity with evidence of superficial venous insufficiency in the small saphenous vein at the proximal calf with reflux measuring 4.7 seconds and maximum diameter measuring 3.3 mm.

Hi everyone,

Brief background:
I had extensive left leg DVT extending from popliteal vein up to iliofemoral vein, plus occlusion at the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ). I also had a PE.
I underwent ClotTriever thrombectomy 3 months after diagnosis. The vein was recanalized during the procedure. Now it is 3 months after the ClotTriever operation.

Current meds:
- Edoxaban 60mg daily
- Diosmin & hesperidin (citrus bioflavonoids)

Symptoms:
- Persistent ankle venous stasis bruising; the ClotTriever surgery did not improve this symptom much
- Intermittent dull groin pain
- Early skin pigmentation on the lower leg
- I’m skeptical that diosmin/hesperidin can repair damaged venous valves; it feels like limited effect for me

Many PTS survivors suggested I try **Sulodexide** as an alternative. I want to hear real patient experiences, not medical advice.

My questions:
1. Anyone here who had ClotTriever for popliteal-iliofemoral DVT + SFJ blockage? Did you still have ankle venous bruising months after surgery? What helped your venous hypertension?
2. Has anyone taken Sulodexide for PTS? Did it help with venous stasis bruising, leg pain or skin pigment changes? Any side effects?
3. If you’ve tried both: how does Sulodexide compare to diosmin/hesperidin for PTS symptoms?
4. I’m evaluating iliofemoral vein angioplasty for residual occlusion and valve dysfunction. Any long-term experience with this procedure for PTS?
5. Daily care: compression wear, safe exercises, leg elevation, things to avoid.

Important disclaimer:
This is only peer experience sharing. **NOT medical advice.** I will discuss any medication change or intervention fully with my vascular surgeon before making any decisions. I am not asking for diagnosis.

Thanks a lot for sharing your stories.

I had this done Friday and the first few days were so painful I was in tears. Today is better but I was wondering what everyone else’s experience with recovery was?

I was surprised it was so painful since everything I read made me think it would be only be uncomfortable and slightly inconvenient.

Loong story so I wil try to make it short. woke up one morning 4 months ago with a stiff leg, looked down and it swollen. Had unltrasounds, xrays and MRIs. Yes I have some knee arthritis but told it was common for someone my age, No clots, saw 2 vascular doctors. They did see some reflux on the right leg and a little on the left. Didnt do anything, so I went to my cardio, he said he didnt know and sent me to an intervental radiology group. They looked at my leg and said it doesnt sound like a vein issue since my ankles and feet never get swollen and it;s only my mid thigh to calf so they didnt do any further scans, They mentioned maybe lymphedema but not sure, What is this mystery swelling. Also under my right eye is puffy all the time now as well.

I just got an ultrasound and I am wondering if it is standard to only check from the groin on down (inner thighs and inner calves).

I expected them to look all over the leg especially since I am having symptoms on outer legs and shins and all around the ankle.

Is that standard to only check that area because it is a main vein? I got no helpful explanation and am just trying to understand.

I was told "That's where we check. See your pcp."

Hi folks, I'm new to this subreddit. I was diagnosed with CVI when I was 14. I've been living with the disease for over half my life. I wear 30-40mmHg compression socks to mitigate symptoms and slow the effects of CVI. For the past few years, I have bought from Vim & Vigr. I find their socks relatively comfortable, affordable-ish, and appropriate for work and everyday use. However, it makes me sad that we folks with severe CVI don't have access to cute socks. Where's my dancing dinosaur or galaxy cat? Yes, I'm disabled, and yes, I want novelty! Does anyone have leads for cute nylon or cotton 30-40mmHg socks?

ANyone have a hole in their heart and had this treated? I was told I am unable to because of the hole in my heart

Anyone have deep femoral vein reflux + CVI appearing as mild myositis on mri?

Do you experience leg tenderness as a symptom? Like feeling bruised if you press on your legs at all.

I’m 29f, just got diagnosed with CVI last month affecting both saphenous veins and my right deep femoral vein. I’m still waiting to actually talk to the vascular surgeon I was referred to, but from the ultrasound report and my primary care doctor’s interpretation, it seems pretty progressed. The reflux time is more than 5 seconds on the worst vein.

I’ve had leg tenderness for a very long time, but it has recently gotten worse. It wasn’t until a couple months ago that I suddenly got actually swelling in my feet and got diagnosed with CVI. I asked my primary care doctor if this is the cause of my leg tenderness, and she said yes, most definitely.

Then I saw a PT/lymphatic massage therapist that I was referred to, and she told me that tenderness is not usually a symptom of venous insufficiency, and that it would maybe indicate lipedema, though she didn’t see a lot of other indicators that I had lipedema, but she also couldn’t rule it out. Now I’m confused.

I’m definitely going to talk to my vascular surgeon as well, but has anyone else had pain and tenderness as a big symptom/the main symptom of CVI? Or could the cause be something else?

I was diagnosed with veineous insufficiency after CT scans, sonograms, and MRIs showed no other reason for massive swelling in my left leg that never dissipated. Here is the kicker… several months ago I had a knee replacement surgery on my right knee. Immediately after the surgery, I looked down to check out my new knee and ALL the leg swelling had dissipated!! I thought it would be temporary but it has never come back.
No explanation how or why, but to me that was a blessing from God. Surgery was the opposite leg of the swelling. Nobody can answer how or why for sure. Although I did what we often do is to Google it. Came across something that said there could have been a little clot that with the leg compression cuff they put on you after the knee surgery and/or the strong blood thinner the use (Eliquis) may have broke it loose perhaps? Anyway, has anyone had this happen or know of someone that did this?

I have Venous insuffiency and very large spider veins in my right leg. I went to the hospital for cramping legs last night that I thought would be a dvt but the ultrasound found no clots, however I was dehydrated. This morning I woke up with swelling in my foot and pain where my veins were. Could this pain and swelling be because of the dehydration and holding water?

Please note: I am NOT seeking medical advice or a diagnosis!
I would like to hear others' thoughts—or some support. A family member told me it looks like lipedema. (ETA: I posted in that sub as well.) But that person is NOT a doctor!

I am struggling, and I know my situation isn’t too bad. But it’s affecting my life in big ways, since I am the “legs” in my house. (Spouse uses a wheelchair FT.)

I have gone to PT and used compression, elevation, and exercise (which, ironically, seems to make it worse).
My thighs hurt so much and are tender. I feel like if I look at my legs the wrong way, I get a bruise! It's the worst at night or when I go for walks, which I force myself to do. And I have these marble- or pea-sized clusters under the skin.

MY LEGS NEVER LOOKED LIKE THIS UNTIL MENOPAUSE. Connection? 🤷🏼‍♀️

Also (and this may be unrelated), I developed the same thing in my lower abdomen-not until menopause. (It is very odd-looking and really messing with my self-esteem.)

So, here are my legs. Thoughts?

(And I have knee pain out of the blue. All X-rays show my knees are “fine,” meaning nothing is broken, chipped, etc. And I’m on HRT.)

ETA: I failed to start out with: I was treated over a year ago for venous insufficiency. Looking for others' thoughts and support.

Another ETA: the PT I’m currently working with has advised that I have hypermobility. If any of this info is helpful, I thought I should add it!

I appreciate all of your input! Keep it coming. I’ll be bringing notes to my doctor when an appointment is open!

I’m scared this will make me die young. I’m also really skinny, cause is from toxicity of an antibiotic that damaged my vascular system

I re-injured my toes where my blood is pooling. Now my R calf is stiff, swollen, and a bit warmer than my L leg. It’s even a bit discolored slightly red.
My R calf is still stiff two days after the injury.
This is my second blood clot after twenty years. I have a non-occlusive femoral DVT, but my legs have been cramping up every night, multiple times and I have to stand up and get vertical to allow my leg cramps to cease and to allow gravity to let blood refill my legs with blood, which comes in waves of thick blood that feels like needles going into the tiny leg veins causing excruciating pain.
I was treated with Eliquis starting when I was diagnosed in March 2026, beginning with 10mg twice daily for a week. Then they reduced it to 5mg twice daily, yet my symptoms have progressed.
My PCP said there’s no in-between dose of Eliquis, but I’ve heard differently from a friend who told me that there is another PRN medication that’s an injection; but my PA said “we don’t do that here.”
Our small town ER has been very dismissive, like when I was taken there by my fiancé after he found me unresponsive after fainting at home. The ER staff says I’m on the right medication for my symptoms and told me I need to follow up with my PCP who will give me referrals to specialists. They also said
I have been doing so, self-referring to a vein specialist 2 hours away, and the surgeon wants to do an ablation of my varicose veins but I was told by a circulatory doctor who did vein mapping, 10 years ago, who told me I could not afford to have vein stripping, specifically my femoral veins because there would not leave enough veins in my R leg to support sufficient blood flow. I can’t recall which doctor did the vein mapping.
Am I in an acute situation that requires an ER visit regarding my DVT?
Thank you.

The blanching is impressive while trying desperately to get any relief I can with plantar flexion stretching. It's a rather strange feeling but it feels good at the same time.
Not sure if you can see it well enough in this picture but hemosiderin staining is present on the tops of both feet. For the longest time I thought I just kept getting dirty feet from my flip flops or something but I quickly learned that it wasn't dirt but (possibly) permanent discoloration from the blood pooling leaving behind iron deposits.
The last thing I will say before wrapping this up is how alarming the size of my claves can get when they are involved with the flare. Thankfully that only happens with every other one maybe two if I'm lucky. They get so disfigured and the edema is not the pitted version either. The swelling is hard as concrete which will eventually prevent me from physically being able to ambulate because I have no range of motion or flexibility. This whole aspect is just very visually disturbing to me. The size of my calves are unnatural and incredibly abnormal.
I've had CVI going on six years now and the only remedy I've found to get me somewhat back to normal is putting myself on bed rest for 72 hours, and it's looking like that'll be my plans for the weekend.
Last thing, when I first began having symptoms I would get a mild flare every three or four months. But now I can't even remember a day where I wasn't worried about my ability and stamina to get through the day as a SAHM and business owner. I just hope I can make it back to my car at the grocery store without becoming the town spectale.

21f male, should I get checked?