"Vascular - No treatment options"

I had an appointment with the vascular nurse, I had very painful varicose veins in my left leg, and there were bulging and very tender. The nurse listened to my veins, and then said that I would need to wear surgical stockings, and keep my leg raised in order for the pain to subside, not for a short while but indefinitely and they were dead against surgery, they thought it was more cosmetic than pain. I was taken aback by this archaic view, NICE even has guidelines saying that a person shouldn't have to wear stockings the rest of their life, times have moved on and vascular surgery is safe and life changing. So I got myself referred to a qualified vascular surgeon at the Royal Free hospital and the difference was amazing. I saw a doctor who was sympathetic to my pain, and suggested immediately that I have surgery, because and I quote who wants to walk around in pain in stockings the rest of their life. So I had a proper ultrasound scan and then a few weeks later had the surgery. I have never felt better. out of pain, able to sleep and no massive bulging veins. So don't go to St Marys to see a nurse, go to the Royal Free of The Wellington hospitals and see a considerate, experienced Vascular Surgeon.