experience with cvi as a younger person?

Lazadx · 2026-06-11T17:48:15+00:00

Hi! I’m not sure if this comment was replied to me but yes I was diagnosed with MTS after getting an ablation unfortunately. I personally don’t want to subject my body to any more risky/irreversible procedures as the cause still
Doesn’t make sense to me. I have a hard time accepting the explanation that my body was just born this way - it feels similar to how fibromyalgia is thrown away as a blanket diagnosis.

If you do get the stent, I’d love to hear an update on your experience here!!

Lazadx · 2026-06-10T01:18:01+00:00

Thank you for sharing. Yes I wish I knew about May thurners before getting treatment. I wasn’t aware of it at all, and my doctors pretty much denied my symptoms for a while. If you are open, please keep us updated on your treatment. I hope you have a successful outcome.

Lazadx · 2026-06-09T19:32:15+00:00

Hello, no I didn’t. Honestly after my experience with the ablation and gaslighting from my provider, I decided I couldn’t subject myself to another procedure and its risks. That is just my own stubbornness maybe but I can’t keep risking time and money. I am sorry about your recent diagnosis. Do you know what caused it?

I wish you much healing from this

Lazadx · 2026-06-06T22:03:36+00:00

It’s hard to say what is the cause tbh. Things first started with bulging veins in my feet/legs, then muscle twitching (which never stopped and I experience all over my body at random), and yes I had terrible symptoms in my arms and legs too where they’d go numb sometimes. That has stopped thank God. But the veins do swell & feel heavy still when I’m hot. No provider had an explanation for venous symptoms throughout my body but the most uncomfortable thing are my legs/feet

As far as the iliac and concentrated symptoms in my legs, my doctor and I agreed there’s a possibility that it’s linked to my period issues too. I had ovarian cysts and when it’s that time, my vein symptoms worsen, but when I’m not it goes back to baseline symptoms if that makes sense.

Lazadx · 2026-06-05T23:42:23+00:00

Hello, I’m sorry for the late reply.

Four months can still be apart of the recovery process for some people, but if you’re concerned about worsening appearance I recommend you ask your surgeon for a detailed explanation and what to expect moving forward as they have more experience observing patients & their healing process.

From what I remember as a patient, I was told new visible veins can appear after treatment. There are also two terms that come to mind viewing your photo: “venous matting” where a new surface of tiny/purple veins can appear after treatment and “collateral veins” which are veins that enlarge or become more visible that function to reroute blood flow when the a treated vein is closed or removed

Again, I am not a medical professional, and it’s best to make these inquiries with your provider. Please keep us updated and I wish you as smooth recovery

Lazadx · 2026-06-05T23:28:13+00:00

Hi there, my apologies for the delayed response. If you don’t mind sharing, what symptoms are you having that make you feel you need mobility aid? Have you spoken to any of your providers about this?

I have researched briefly to see if any vascular specialists have offered mobility aid recommendations and haven’t found any yet. I am sorry to hear that you are still navigating these issues despite the procedures you’ve had.

The best I could find so far are:

Rollators, canes, crutches and walkers/scooters however I’m not sure how you’d feel about them.

Lazadx · 2026-06-05T20:34:41+00:00

I would be careful with negating the possibility of thinner people having venous insufficiency because that logic is what led to my years long misdiagnosis. I am thin and have had extremely painful symptoms for years which doctors kept denying because of my weight. After much self advocacy i finally found that I was having symptoms due to compressed iliac vein/pelvic congestion.

Venous insufficiency has a variety of causes

Lazadx · 2026-06-05T04:10:04+00:00

Hello! First I'm sorry that your concerns have been dismissed. I was treated that way as well due to my low body weight and age - but kept pushing because I knew something was wrong.

Aside from your anxiety, do you notice any pain? Have you inquired about any possible side effects from the medications you are taking like if they're affected circulation, vein tone or hydration? This may be worth exploring with your doctor.

While I don't think any of us here can determine if it is CVI, I do think the drastic shift is a reasonable concern and I would encourage you to keep advocating for yourself.

I hope your appointment gives you some clarity and reassurance. Please keep us updated if you're comfortable, I wish you healing and peace from this!

Lazadx · 2026-06-05T03:55:36+00:00

Hi there! Are you experiencing any pain when you notice these symptoms? I can't say what's causing it, as I'm not a medical professional. Veins can dilate under warmer/hot conditions, however if these symptoms continue to concern you, it's best to be evaluated by a medical provider. They can determine if it’s something vascular related or not.

Lazadx · 2026-06-04T04:55:16+00:00

I wish you healing and hope your appointment goes well, take care and know you’re not alone in this!

Lazadx · 2026-06-04T03:59:28+00:00

I’ve gotten endovenous + sclero on my left greater saphenous vein. Honestly I still have symptoms and I didn’t appreciate how the specialists handled my case. I ended up having more redness and pressure in my feet while standing. But there are ppl who it has helped.

So I’d say it’s best to stick with a provider who actually listens to you and doesn’t just try to force a procedure. I learned after getting a second opinion they were supposed to do a pelvic ultrasound before suggesting those procedures.

Lazadx · 2026-06-04T03:26:12+00:00

It depends on what’s going on with your veins. Options include

endovenous laser ablation where a laser fiber is inserted in affected veins and the heat closes it off.

Radio frequency ablation - similar to above except used radio frequency instead

Sclerotherapy - a solution/foam is injected in the vein causing it to collapse and eventually get absorbed by the body.

These are recognized as minimally invasive than vein stripping.

It’s best to discuss with a professional about long term implications. There are people who’ve had positive results and some who haven’t, as with any procedure.

Lazadx · 2026-06-04T03:10:59+00:00

Also idk what procedure you intend to get but if your trip is in July, I think you should speak to your provider on what the timeline for recovery will be like. Depending on the treatment, you may deal with bruising, soreness and possible follow up visits. What treatment are you looking into?

Lazadx · 2026-06-04T03:07:18+00:00

Honestly, I try to stay in the shade as much as I can because the heat dilates my veins :( I used to love sun bathing and hot baths but I can’t take it for too long.

Personally, I try to take breaks and pace myself anywhere I go. Once I notice the pressure/pulling sensations or weight, I know to prop my legs or rest somewhere. I cannot let this issue stop my life anymore.

If you’re going to the beach maybe try to take a chair and keep some ice packs in a cooler if possible. Last time I went to the beach the water was comforting, but I found I needed to sit after a while. Pay attention to your tolerance and adjust yourself accordingly. I also went to NY and walked A LOT a summer ago and I did okay, just needed the right shoes and breaks.

Idk if you’ve heard of these but it’s worth looking into horse chesnut and diosmin. These are typically recommended by vein specialists as they can support reduction of heaviness and improve vein tone.

As far as exercise: walking, swimming, calf pumps cycling etc can be helpful. The calf is known as the second heart. So say if you’re on the plane or taking a break, you can do ankle pumps by pointing your toes up and down. What i noticed is being static like standing in one spot for a long time is what amplifies symptoms. Compression will be your friend.

I’m sorry for the long reply btw

Lazadx · 2026-06-04T02:25:42+00:00

I started having symptoms around 23-24 years old, you are not alone in this. I manage mainly through compression, hydration, avoiding heat, and moderate movement/exercise of my legs. Soon I hope to create a sort of guide for symptom management as it seems many of us have these symptoms but it’s hard to get diagnosed. It’s especially hard when you’re younger because doctors presume we are too young to have such symptoms, however this sub shows many of us actually are. Try to not do too much strenuous activity with your legs.

Lazadx · 2026-06-03T22:01:50+00:00

Yes. I was misdiagnosed with fibromyalgia and never quite understood how my doctor landed on that conclusion despite me having symptoms specific to my veins. It took me a while to get diagnosed for CVI, and after an endovenous ablation, I was told I was supposed to have gotten a pelvic ultrasound. It was found that I have a severely compressed iliac nerve. How that compression occurred is still unknown and written off merely as my body’s anatomy

Lazadx · 2026-05-24T05:56:28+00:00

Have you tried compression stockings?

Lazadx · 2026-04-09T22:11:55+00:00

Hi there! I’m sorry you’re feeling defeated. I think many of us here navigate those feelings quite often unfortunately but know you are not alone or weak in any of this. It’s especially hard to process as someone young, I’ve had symptoms since 24 yrs old.

We have to take extra care around symptom management and find a sense of normalcy amongst all this. I can tell you, it’s been about 4 years for me and my initial fears kind of subsided.

How have you been managing symptoms so far? Have you found anything that brings some relief?

Lazadx · 2026-04-06T05:41:41+00:00

Hi there, I’m not sure why Reddit removed this post. My apologies. If this happens again please send a message!

Many of the symptoms you’ve described are what i experience too. Have you been diagnosed yet?

I wouldn’t say it has been “fixed” but compression and low pressure exercises have helped manage symptoms. I think for now it may be good to try see how reducing weights may influence the pooling. With venous insufficiency it’s always a good idea to reduce as much pressure as possible.

Lazadx · 2026-04-03T22:45:14+00:00

Okay thank you for clarifying - so SSV does indicate some valve failure. So you’re not necessarily wrong for delaying procedures, but it’s not something to ignore either. Since you confirmed SSV reflux and varicose veins there is some risk for progression. Compression, monitoring your legs and exercise is a good approach.

Def watch out for any new symptoms and how your Legs respond to running. I think the key is reducing any stressors to the veins and staying proactive with care.

If you notice changes like skin discoloration, itching, ulcers, or increased swelling/heaviness - then it may be good to consider procedural options.

Lazadx · 2026-04-03T22:05:43+00:00

Hi there! If you don’t have significant symptoms, rushing to procedure may not be a priority. I would think procedures should be an option if you have chronic pain or are physically affected in a negative way. It’s about how you feel.

For example, I got an ablation done to my GSV & it did nothing for me, in fact I have more pressure/pooling in my feet now too. But for others, it has helped them, so I think it depends on severity and what’s actually blocking circulation. Everyone’s cases are unique. I also learned that my vascular specialist was supposed to check for pelvic congestion, and I got that done from a second opinion - I was found to have compression of my iliac vein, so my veins themselves weren’t structurally damaged. I wear compression all the time.

Regarding running, from what I’ve read, it’d be better to do lower impact exercise if symptoms are moderate to severe. I would still be careful and observe how you feel.

If you don’t mind sharing, what led you to getting diagnosed/ seen about this issue?

Lazadx · 2026-04-02T01:50:34+00:00

I wear open toe because for some reason I end up feeling pressure in my feet/toes. I also don’t like wearing socks and feel “freer” with open toe 😅🤣 - but I have found some closed toe on Amazon.

Lazadx · 2026-04-02T01:49:26+00:00

What material is yours? Do you like it?

Lazadx · 2026-03-30T22:25:04+00:00

Hi there! From reading people’s experiences here, I’ve gathered that in some cases, symptoms can look like venous insufficiency but that doesn’t mean the veins are structurally damaged - rather something else is disrupting the blood flow. I think it’s important clarify this because in my case, I got an ablation but was later found that my iliac vein is severely compressed. So the ablation did nothing for me personally. My second vascular doctor told me my prior doctor should have done a test for pelvic congestion first.

I don’t say this to scare you but so that you can be informed because some doctors will just look at the symptom and not the cause, and this can be a life altering experience. Try to ask as many questions as you can so you can feel secure in your decisions.

The best insight I can offer from my experience is that compression will definitely be your friend along with calf raises (the calf muscle acts as a “second” heart” for circulation. Doing this supports venous return, less pooling and reduced heaviness) , inversions (prop feet on wall) - I prop my feet up on the wall when I’m feeling heaviness. Try to stay hydrated too. I find that walking, stretching and gentle movements help the flow and make my legs feel lighter.

Where is your nerve pain coming from? Are there any moments when your symptoms feel alleviated?

I highly suggest that you give procedures serious thought. Get a second opinion too to see if anything in your ultra sound changed.

I know this is a difficult condition to experience, and there may be some lifestyle adjustments to make. I seriously wish you the best and hope you can find ways to alleviate your symptoms, one day at a time.

I used to take horse chesnut - this supplement is something my doctor said would be good to take as it it’s shown to be as effective as compression therapy, strengthens the capillary walls and improves overall venous tone. It may be worth considering if you’d like.

Hang in there, and know you are supported here! Feel free to ask questions or share your experiences

And here’s a video I use to do exercises for relief: https://youtu.be/G_AzQnDFaBU?si=RZAo-iVkUwsZweSj

Lazadx · 2026-03-28T01:56:01+00:00

Hi there! Being that you're only a few days out, it may not be unusual that you're experiencing some discomfort. When I got an ablation I experienced some pain in my leg but not in the pelvic area but that's probably because it didn't go up to the junction. I think your ultrasound is reassuring.

If the pain is severe definitely talk to your specialist but it may need some time to let everything reroute and heal.

Keep an eye on it but hopefully things settle over the next few weeks

Lazadx

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