The Vein Doctor

This week, I have asked my good friend and colleague, Dr Ted King from the USA, to tell us more about how veins may cause symptoms – in particular, the Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).

Restless Legs

 “Restless legs syndrome is a condition that is characterized by an irresistible urge to move one’s limbs (almost always legs) to stop uncomfortable or odd sensations. Moving the affected limb lessens the sensations and provides some temporary relief. It seems as though RLS must have been recently … Continue reading »

Today, I performed the  FIRST VenaSeal™ procedure in Bristol. Sue West, who lives in Bristol,  has been troubled by aching, throbbing varicose veins in both legs for many years. She had been to see her GP, but unfortunately, treatment was not available on the NHS. Her duplex ultrasound scan confirmed that she had severe reflux in the superficial veins in both legs. This reflux was the cause of her ache, throbbing, swelling and unsightly varicose veins. I discussed the various treatment options with her and she decided to go ahead with the VenaSeal™ procedure. I was able to treat … Continue reading »

Private medical treatment for varicose veins, thread veins and the complications of venous disease can be expensive. Traditional treatment by surgical stripping or treatments under general anaesthetic in a hospital are no longer necessary and the costs can be difficult to work out. There may be separate fees for the surgeon, for the radiologist or vascular technologist who performs the scan, for the anaesthetist and for the hospital. Additional fees may be charged for bandages, medical stockings, medication and for follow appointments and duplex ultrasound scans. The fees can be obscure and difficult to investigate and they all add up. … Continue reading »

Sheila In Yesterday's Daily Express

Yesterday, one of my patients was featured in the Daily Express.  After having the Venaseal™ Closure System for the varicose veins in both her legs, Sheila Sibley from Yeovil can’t believe how good her legs feel. After years of restless, twitchy legs at night, Sheila hasn’t any problems since the varicose veins were treated. “Its early days” said Sheila, “but by now I am sure I would have had the … Continue reading »

Recently, I treated Emma from Bristol who developed very large, uncomfortable varicose veins around her vulva and upper thigh during pregnancy. After she had her baby, the veins around her vulva disappeared but the veins in her thigh persisted and gradually got worse. Her duplex ultrasound scan showed that the veins in her thigh were filling from her ovaries.

She had a condition called “Ovarian Vein Reflux”. The treatment for this is controversial, but my approach is to treat these veins with ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy unless there are symptoms of pelvic pain, bladder irritation or pain during intercourse. So far, … Continue reading »