I'm so worried about my mum, can anyone help me??

Question

My Mum has a varicose vein on her left leg, it's really big, red, swollen, and hot..she can't walk very well, she has to lay down constantly...she explained the pain to me, she said its as though the veins are twisting around her leg? I'm so worried about her. She refuses to see a Doctor. Can somebody please give me advice, I feel so useless!!! Thanks.

Answer 1

She should see a doctor hon. My mom has terrible veins too.

Your mom should actually be wearing support hose during the day. They are made specifically for varicose veins. I don't know if there are medical supply stores in your area that carry them but they might help.

I think though that she should see a doctor and see if there is anything they can do to help her and if something more sinister isn't at work there (ie. a clot). I know that they can collapse a lot of problematic veins these days and it's not dangerous, the blood is just rerouted through other veins. If it's causing her a lot of grief she should look into that.

But try the support hose if she won't go and see if that helps any.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Varicose veins in itself are not dangerous; however the symptoms your mum is describing she needs to go into an Emergency Dept today preferably now. Warmth and pain on a leg especially the calf is a sign of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT); basically its a blood clot that is decreasing or blocking circulation. The greatest threat is that the blood clot will break off and get decrease circulation in either the lung, heart or even brain, what it will cause is a stroke, heart attack or a pulmonary embolism in the lung. All of these could cause death. Take her to an Emergency Center now and ask for a Venous Doppler Study of that affected leg.

Answer 3

Nothing you can do if she won't see a doctor, just keep her off her feet. My mother had a lot of pain from her varicose veins, and would wrap her legs with ace bandages (that was before they were doing surgery on them).

My legs look like relief maps, with the veins sticking out all over, result of a job that had me on my feet for 30 years. But I don't notice any pain from them, which may be because of nerve damage in the lumbar area that sometimes makes my legs go numb and burn at the same time.

Keep nagging her to see a doctor.

Answer 4

Get a doctor to come to your house (if you can) or call him and explain the probem.

Read this:

Definition of Varicose vein

Varicose vein: A dilated (widened) tortuous (twisting) vein, usually involving a superficial vein in the leg, often associated with incompetency of the valves in the vein. These visible and bulging veins are often associated with symptoms such as tired, heavy, or aching limbs. In severe cases, varicose veins can rupture, or open sores (varicose ulcers) can form on the skin.

Varicose veins most frequently affect women. A family history of varicose veins and advancing age factors. In some cases, absence or weakness of valves in veins, which prevent the backward flow of blood away from the heart, may cause the varicosities. In other cases, weaknesses in the vein walls cause blood to pool. Less commonly, varicose veins are due to diseases such as phlebitis (inflammation of the veins).

Varicose veins are usually progressive and cannot be prevented entirely. However, wearing support stockings and maintaining normal weight and regular exercise may be beneficial.

Treatment is not always necessary for varicose veins. Severe cases, especially those involving ulcers, require treatment. Varicose veins are frequently treated by eliminating the varicose veins to let blood flow through the remaining healthy veins. This can be done by surgery or sclerotherapy. Varicose vein surgery is commonly referred to as stripping. Sclerotherapy uses a fine needle to inject a solution directly that irritates the lining of the vein, causing it to swell and the blood to clot. The vein turns into scar tissue that fades from view.

Answer 5

If they are red swollen and hot this is not just variscose veins. She may have a blood clot. Tell her this and remind her that blood cots are life threatening and offer to drive her to the emergency room if you can drive if not find someone who can drive her.

Answer 6

You need to ask your mom if she is ready for a life with one leg because if she doesn't get to a surgeon real fast she will lose here leg if the artery is diseased and enough blood doesn't get to her foot gangrene will set in and then the foot rots off maybe she doesn't think that this is serious but it is they can fix her leg my mom had this done when she was in her 70s

Answer 7

She really does need to see a doctor. Sorry that she is stubborn about that. Keep working on her and do some research on the net about the situation, it may help convince her to visit the doc. Good luck!

Answer 8

ummm, well it sounds very well like it could be a blood clot, which in a short time can lead to a heartattack or stroke, she really needs to go see a doctor, tell her if the money is the issue she is going to end up spending a lot more with emergency surgery or the e.r. or possibly a lot on her funeral. so, i would seriously try and convince her,... blood clots start in the legs often and are extremely dangerous. good luck. ♥

Answer 9

Does she have a best friend or a relative that could come to the house and talk to her about it. Mothers are used to calling the shots, and it might be hard for her to take advice from you.
But another women, that she could talk to about it might change her mind about seeing a doctor. Your a good daughter to be concerned about your Mom, I hope she changes her mind.

Answer 10

She should really see a doctor, those veins can cuase clots, nerve damage. Express your concern to her and take her yourself if need be.