anyone else with CVI? What to do for it.

I believe there are many out there who are more competent to answer your question. However, during my recent check up I dicussed my venous insufficiency prob with my Dr he told me the least invasive way to keep a disease'condition under control is the best way to go. In my case, the wearing of compression stockings is working, along with diet and exercise. So I guess I am fortunate. Of course I have to wear more substantial stockings than I did two years ago and if the disease progresses I might have to get into something I can't stand to wear, then I might have to look at a more aggressive treatment. Right now wearing compression stockings doesn't cramp my lifestyle too much. I'm a guy in my 60's I guess it's like having to wear glasses, the thicker they get, or the more wearing them interfere with ones lifestyle, that person might take a hard look at lasic surgery. I have a good friend who has real serious leg vein problems. He recently consulted about a laser proceedure to treat his veins. The Dr told him the proceedure might be effective for a while but he eventually will have to consider stripping, which is a six week recovery, and he would need to wear some type of compression hose anyway, and how many veins can one afford to lose?. The important thing I have learned, this vein thing can get nasty if we don't take precautions. So get good advice, and good luck with your decisions. Sorry if this ran on too much. Hope it helps.

What type of surgery did you have?

I was diagnosed with CVI two years ago and was prescribed medical compression stockings. My symptoms have not progressed beyond slght swelling in my lower leg, some protrusion of the veins in my lower legs, a tired heavy feeling in my legs. Wearing the stockings virtually eliminates the syptoms and gives me a sort of refreshed feeling in my legs. I have also been able to reduce 30 pounds and have about 20 more to get off. I do agressive water aerobics and do a lot of fast paced walking. I would appreciate any further ideas on keeping CVI from getting the best of me.

I have been treating this condition for over 20 years and can probably offer you some ideas on how to live with CVI. I saw your letter in Wounds1. It is not unreasonable for you to be able to minimize your symptoms. If interested, then you can email me with an update: dmcdon6452@aol.com

If you had doppler performed while you were lying down, it cannot reveal reflux which is the essence of vein disorders. After that you will require "venous flow mapping" which shows the details of the reflux and all of the abnormal origins and connections.

You will get a false negative ultrasound result for "reflux" if the test is performed when you are lying down. This is because the blood will only flow backwards (i.e. reflux) when there is gravitational assistance as in standing. But more valuable: you need "venous flow mapping" which describes all the pathological pathways. This is the definitive test for venous disease because it shows/describes the details.

I'm interested in hearing from others who have had COMPASS treatment done through Vein Clinics of America. I have looked into it, but not begun treatment yet. How was your experience? Has it eliminated your vein problems? Did you experience any reoccurrance?

Hello, I was once like you. I have had my veins treated non-surgically by a company known as Vein Clinics of America, and I can tell you that your symptoms will go away if they are related to the broken valves in your legs. They use an advanced form of sclerotherapy and are leaders in the non-surgical management of venous diseases. I have had both of my legs treated, had no complications, and my pain, swelling and aching are gone. I in addition had resolution of my restlessness too. Check out their website if you are truly having those symptoms you stated. Their website is www.veinclinics.com. Their research is available on-line, and they have 18 clinics across the country. Best wishes.

For info on the magnetic sleep pad go to www.magneticosleep.com. As far as the exercises are concerned, I've found it helpful to determine exactly where the reflux is occurring and exercise the muscles that would contract on the deep veins in that specific location. Search the web with the keywords "Venous Anatomy" and I think you'll find a site has some very detailed info. I think those are the words I searched for but it quite some time ago. In my case, there was reflux in the common femoral vein and also at the main valve at the groin. I worked on my hamstrings and adductors (light weight, high reps) and my latest duplex scan showed less severe reflux than the previous scan. Do not work with heavy weights as this can cause unintentional breath-holding during exercise which is counterproductive. Do high reps (100-200) every day. While this may not fix the problem, it can provide some symptomatic relief. I no longer get the tight cuff feeling around my ankle with the compression stocking the way I used to. This indicates to me that I have managed to reduce the amount of swelling that takes place. Good luck to your husband. If you would like to get a sleep pad, reply to this post with your emaiul address and I'll contact you. I was so impressed with the product that I became a dealer. Please keep in mind that there is no clinical evidence as yet to support any claim that the sleep pad will help the veins.

I too would like to know more about the magnetic pad....?? We'd try anything for my husband. Thanks for heads up on exercises - I'll make sure he adds them to his routine! Just so worried he will get an ulcer - sounds like it can be so hard to heal them. Do they have anything in the works for fixing VCI? What other alternative healing have others tried?!