Swollen ankle/varicose veins

[ejchase]

Hi Everybody,

I was on a trip through Spain the last month and on my feet a lot more than usual (though I walk for exercise pretty regularly at home). From the first week of the trip, I have had a swollen right ankle. The left was swollen for one day but cleared up quickly. Because I have circulation issues and had been on a long flight the first week, I did go to urgent care in Madrid and asked for an ultrasound to rule out a blood clot, and it was clear.

I will be traveling in the States until about August 15th, so I haven't been able to see my doctor about it yet, but from descriptions on the internet, it seems like it is probably varicose veins. My ankle is pretty normal in the morning, but by evening has swollen up again - though not as obviously as it did on the Spain trip, probably because I'm not on my feet as much now. Suggestions on the internet are that I elevate my ankle above my heart four times a day for a short period (15 min?). I've been doing that and also elevating it when I go to sleep at night, though I usually take it off the pillow that elevates it as I sleep. I do take baby aspirin for circulation issues, and I've been keeping up with that. I guess surgery is an option down the line if it becomes a chronic problem, but I'd rather avoid that.

Anybody have experience with this? I'm not overweight, and I do exercise regularly. The one thing I haven't tried yet is compression stockings.

Thanks in advance for your input.

[Tammy]

If a few weeks have passed since the ultrasound it wouldn't hurt to check that again. Have you been told a diagnosis or just that the ultrasound was clear?

[ejchase]

The Spanish doctor said it was probably "venous insufficiency:"

https://vascular.org/patient-resources/vascular-conditions/chronic-venous-insufficiency

I realized after the post above that, even though I'm only home for a few days right now, I should try to see someone, so I do have a call out to a vascular surgeon for an examination. I would like to avoid surgery though if I can - that's just the name I got when I called my PCP.

[Float On]

Soaking in epsom salts may help too. I still do that for the ankle I broke several years ago. I didn't do surgery and it still gives me fits at time especially if I do something stupid like walk all day in my clark flip flops.

[ejchase]

I talked to my PCP who thought it was overkill to go see a vascular specialist at this point, and as it happens, it seems like the ankle is getting a little better every day. He recommended compression socks, staying off salt, and possibly taking a diuretic at a couple points during the week when I"m not exerting myself physically.

I just put the compression sock on, so we'll see how what works today.

Float On, I may try the epson salts too. Thanks!

[Selah]

Compression socks really worked for me when I had a job at a bank where I had to stand for four to eight hours at a time, with two fifteen-minute breaks and one half-hour break. They're also great for flights and long car rides, and stopped the ankle swelling I had. They also help with leg fatigue. They have pretty ones now that look like regular socks, too, and other ones with zippers--the ones without can take a long time and a lot of effort to get on!

[ejchase]

Thanks, Selah, for sharing your experience.

The compression sock seems to have worked well today. Wish I had thought to get some on my trip, but oh well. Lesson learned!

[Float On]

Float On, I may try the epson salts too. Thanks!

Now I'm worried since he told you to lay off salt. How much salt in an Epsom salt soak is absorbed? I've been doing a lot of Epsom Salt soaks which helps my ankle but I do wonder how much I absorb since I have HBP.

[ejchase]

Now I'm worried since he told you to lay off salt. How much salt in an Epsom salt soak is absorbed? I've been doing a lot of Epsom Salt soaks which helps my ankle but I do wonder how much I absorb since I have HBP.

That I don't know.

I have a question for those of you who have used the compression socks (and thanks, Selah, for the tip on the zippered ones!): did you find when your ankle swelled up, that you only needed to wear the compression socks for a day or two and then it was back to normal? Or am I going to be wearing this thing most of the time when I'm home now?

I wore the compression sock for about four hours yesterday and then took it off to go out in the evening with a friend. At the beginning of the night, my ankle was pretty much normal. By the end, it had swollen up a little bit but not much.

[Tenngal]

have you tried alternating heat & cold treatment at home? Seems to promote healing by opening and closing the vessels. I have used it on my sometimes painful shoulder with success.
15 min heat, 15 min cold. I go thru this cycle for about an hour at night while watching TV.

[Float On]

Apparently it isn't a salt at all and actually good for those with HBP. http://www.foodrenegade.com/epsom-salt-baths-improve-health/

[ejchase]

Apparently it isn't a salt at all and actually good for those with HBP. http://www.foodrenegade.com/epsom-salt-baths-improve-health/

Good to know!

[ejchase]

have you tried alternating heat & cold treatment at home? Seems to promote healing by opening and closing the vessels. I have used it on my sometimes painful shoulder with success.
15 min heat, 15 min cold. I go thru this cycle for about an hour at night while watching TV.

Others have mentioned this to me, so I might try it next, though the compression sock is working great at this point.