nosmoke

I'm 47 260lbs now and got the vein problem in my right leg about 5-6 years ago. One spot on my lower leg is discolored and obviously going to be an ulcer in 5 or so more years. Combined with foot pain that's gotten worse during the course of my life I cannot stand on my feet for more then 3-4 hours a day. Even when I was 16 and weighed 150lbs I had foot pain.

I haven't done enough cycling to see how it would effect my leg, I want to do a big tour in the next year or two. Anybody have experience with touring with this sort of thing? FWIW I have been physical most of my life, at least with work, construction.

mccornwall

Cycle! I also have venous stasis dermatitis. It doesn't have to progress to an ulcer. Get treatment! Wear the compression hose and apply topical treatments prescribed for you. Weight loss WILL help. But you have to wear the hose every day all day when not cycling. You CAN turn it around. I am proof. Good luck.

nosmoke

Thanks for the real life reply! A doctor told me about the hose thing a few years ago, I thought he was full of it. First physical in 25 years only because I had serious snowmobile accident and needed shoulder fixed I have learned that I love genius rockstar surgeons but don't have much use for regular doctors. I will try a compression hose.

ReinderDijkhuis

It's the rockstart genius surgeon that will kill you, though.

shawmutt

Yeah, I'm only 35 and have the legs of a 75 year old. I wore the compressions socks (I don't call them "hose", that's what my wife wears) for a while and then had surgery to close the main saphenous vein. They did the right leg and in a few month they'll do the left. So far things are good. Before you go for the compression hose, I would see a vein specialist. They will recommend the correct pressure to buy, and may have other options for you besides future ulcers.

mccornwall

Mine were prescribed by a dermatologist/cutaneous surgeon. I've been wearing them ~5 years. Yeah, they're hot in summertime and I wear long pants with them but the results are worth it. You've got to wear them religiously. It takes a long time before you can skip all or part of a day in them. I had my left vein stripped...it was painful. But the stockings and excercize and losing weight have helped so much that I never went back and got the right leg done...and oddly enough it was the worst of the two.
My problem developed when I was put on Norvasc (Amlodipine) for hypertension. It has a nasty side effect of ankle edema. BY the time we figured out what was causing the problem I looked like Popeye. Started the stockings and the rest is history. Over the counter ones do NOT work because they do not provide enough compression. Only prescribed ones will work. They are not cheap but insurance helps a lot.. And you have to care for them to make them last but also worth it.
Got to go. Taking a troop of Boy Scouts for a ride this morning.

shawmutt

You're lucky, my insurance wouldn't cover my socks at all, and they were a bit expensive--$45 a pair. The pharmacy was having a buy two get one free sale, so I got enough to last. I might go through Amazon.com next time though, they are less expensive there.

velocycling

Isn't there a problem with DVT?

Nightshade

If you have not been to a doctor for help with your vein issue then get to one ASAP!!!!

Problems can develop from those veins that can very quickly become life threatening.

BELIEVE IT!!

mccornwall

Define expensive. The ones I have are $75 AFTER insurance covers their part. If you're getting them from Amazon we're talking apples and oranges here. The ones that are prescribed for you you have to be measured and fitted for and they have far more compression values than are available over the counter (or over the interwebs so to speak). Get it treated, I'm telling ya your quality of life will be light years ahead. That dermatitis HURTS and that's just a downward spiral...you don't feel good and don't feel like exercising, it gets worse, etc. etc. I'm pulling for you. Ride on!

chefisaac

I have questions on this. I am starting to see my veins in my ankles and such. How do you know if they are starting to hurt? What does it feel like? Do the socks help? What can you do to prevent/ eliminate them? The preasure of the socks hurt to wear? How do the socks help?

mccornwall

The hurt I referenced is in your skin...it's not the veins. It occurs when you ankels/calves swell. If you're just "seeing" your veins I wouldn't worry or wear any compression. The hose do not hurt to wear.
Here's the situation when you truly have venous stasis dermatitis (note the word dermatitis...skin). Swelling is present. The increased pressure causes capillaries to leak into surrounding tissue. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin. When the red blood cells die in the tissue (they have a short life regularly) they release heme breakdown products which are inflammatory to this tissue. It's the inflammation that is painful...felt to me like a sunburn.
So unless you have swelling I wouldn't worry. ALl of myh above recommendations are for sufferers of venous stasis dermatitis or severe swelling. See a doctor. I'm not one. This is NOT varicose veins.

JonnyHK 

One of the guys I train with (50, but quite trim and fit) who has the full blown evil worm looking veins started to wear some 2XU calf compression sock things about a year ago.

HAPPIEST MAN EVER.

He has to do a lot of travel for work and finds that they are also useful on long plane flights.

CvilleCommuter

I wear compression hose everyday. I don't have any venous stasis, but I'm an OR nurse, and I stand on my feet all day. Its just preventive maintenance. BUT - if you do have venous stasis - SEE YOUR DOCTOR! If you smoke, STOP. Be sure you're not diabetic - this is critical. The discoloration is a big warning sign that you need to address this in a hurry. Considering that appropriate hose is the way to a cheap, effective cure, take your doctor's advice. Surgery is MUCH more expensive, and so much more painful.

nosmoke

I woke up this morning and noticed something fantastic. That spot on my leg that hadn't healed in years finally healed! Holy $hit! I quit smoking 8 months ago, drinking (heavy) several months ago and coffee a month ago. Take your pick, I don't know which one caused me the problem.

pbd

George Hincapie does pretty well with it. Not sure what steps he takes for his veins, but he clearly does ok even with the messed up veins.

Gravity Aided

I've been riding, not much touring, but can also vouch for compression stockings. If my wife has to find me on a century ride, often she just asks if riders have seen the big guy with black socks.

10 Wheels

I wear long socks most of the time. They feel good and give you some protection from the Hot Roads.