"Vascular surgery wait"

I have had issues with a varicose vein for many years. They run in my family and mine grew bigger when I was pregnant. It didn’t bother me until recently and I have been experiencing some significant issues with it.

I am writing here as I am so so concerned by the long waiting lists and seeming lack of interest with my problem.

Recently I have had awful symptoms and quite serious issues with my vein and I feel like the only option I have is to look into private healthcare, which to be honest I really can’t afford, but my health is suffering.

Earlier this year I waited almost 3 weeks for a routine GP appointment to discuss the pain and discomfort that I have been experiencing in my leg, my leg was swollen, hot to touch and painful. I was told I would be referred to vascular and was told to just keep moving etc as normal. Over the last 6 weeks or so the condition of my leg has deteriorated so much. 

I recently presented at Out of Hours with a suspected DVT, my leg was significantly swollen, inflamed, hot to touch and causing me a lot of pain and discomfort. I had also lost sensation in parts of my leg. I was seen and was treated with blood thinning meds and invited back for an ultrasound, the ultrasound showed no clot but they called the issue superficial thrombophlebitis. I am now on blood thinning meds for 3 months, antibiotics, strong anti-inflammatories.  

My referral to vascular had also been rejected as they said I did not meet the criteria as I wasn’t experiencing any issues? I am genuinely shocked at this as I am most definitely experiencing quite severe issues.

This is getting no better and I’m basically being told to just get on with it as there’s nothing that can really be done until I see a vascular consultant but if I pay I can see the same person. I feel It is so so wrong.

I absolutely understand how bad things are just now within the NHS and I fully appreciate that there are people who are much worse off than I am, but I am a young woman, with a young family and 2 jobs that I have to be well for and I just don’t think it should be like this. Do I have to wait until I end up with a pulmonary embolism before someone actually pays it any attention?

This issue is causing a lot of distress for myself and my family.

I would really like to discuss my issues further with someone.