Spider and Varicose Veins

ewattsjt · Nov 18, 2007

Our main PV surgeon says that compression stockings do slow the process down. The femoral saphenous valve junction is the main culprit and it is a congenital problem that is aggravated by standing for long periods. He says that the compression stocking need to be snug and thigh high to really slow the process down but the only true cure is an eventual saphenofemoral vein ligation with stab avulsions.

There are other theories but this is his learned theory.

There are a few women at my facility that swear by the stockings (started getting them then started wearing the stockings and it has greatly slowed down).

I have no personal experience in this matter, just what I have heard from co-workers.

I love my cat! · Nov 18, 2007

Anyone notice more spider or varicose veins after some time of nursing? IsseyM

Absolutely! About the second year or Nursing I really began to notice them. I wear the compression stocking somethimes, but I find them very uncomfortable. I have one large varicose vein down the back of my right leg that starts to ache half way through my shift, but I have a lot of spider veins all over. They bothered me so much that I went in and had some of them lasered. Nursing also ruined my feet. Crippling Plantar Fasciitis.

Now, I've had many jobs in the past (non-nursing) that required a lot of standing , but it seemed that I was allowed to sit more often if I was tired or of I felt as though I really needed the break.

Had I been smart, I would have received a note from my Physician to allow me to take rests more often. Even if it was just for 5 minutes a few times during the 10-12 hourt shifts. Or, hey...maybe hospitals should allow people to sit when thay are tired? Hmmmmmmmm..... :idea: