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I know a little about sclerotherapy but wonder if anyone out there has actually had it and could advise me. I would like to know how good the results can be. I have a good doctor lined up if I decide to go through with it. I am deathly scared of needles though!
LASER vein removal though it doesn't include needles,doesn't have great results, so I am not really considering that. Also, sclerotherapy is realatively inexpensive compared to other procedures.
In this rather simple procedure, veins are injected with a sclerosing solution, which causes them to collapse and fade from view. The procedure may also remedy the bothersome symptoms associated with spider veins, including aching, burning, swelling and night cramps.
I have had little broken veins on my legs since I was in my late teens and I HATE them! I would love to be able to go bare legged in the summer but am too insecure with my far from perfect legs.
What results may I expect from sclerotherapy? Also, is it paiful? Is it very time consuming when one has a small but noticible vein problem?
Does it last? Also, if one is very active; hiking, working out lots, can excellent results be expected? Thanks!
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I have not, but the Cleveland Clinic has a great website devoted to this topic.
It sounds like you can expect excellent results, which is exciting! I was surprised to hear this from a medical website, to be honest.
As far as the pain, they said, "Mild discomfort may occur, and a cramping sensation may be felt for 1 to 2 minutes when larger varicose veins are injected." I'm sure you've read the same thing, which is why you're asking what the pain is really like. I hope you hear from someone who has had this procedure done. I'm not sure if doctor offices do this, but do they have any patients with whom you can speak with? (of course, they won't give you their name; the nurse can call their previous patient and give them your information). It might be worth asking!
The procedure itself "takes about 30 to 45 minutes" in the doctor's office. You can actually Google "sclerotherapy" and there are some videos of the procedure (I am unsure about the quality, validity and credibility of these videos, but you can be an educated consumer and make your own judgment).
The success: "...it is estimated that as many as 50 percent to 80 percent of injected varicose veins may be eliminated with each injection session." The veins disappear within weeks to months, depending on the size of the vein. They can reappear after time, in which you would come back for more injections.
I am unsure about the success rate, and if the 50-80% is an average, or if your activity level will change this rate; that would be an excellent question for your doctor.
Good luck!
March 29, 2009 - 8:28pmThis Comment