Varicose vein ablation and DOAC’s

[Finvola]

I have a lower leg vein which is probably going to need treatment at some point and wondered if anyone has experience of vein ablation whilst on any of the DOAC’s - I take Apixaban.

My GP isn’t too keen on the idea - he thinks I have enough to deal with already, bless him! But, it feels unpleasant in the heat - and looks awful!!

[IanMK]

With respect to your GP, if I were in your shoes I would like to hear the surgeon's opinion. I don't know what the procedure entails, but I would have thought that the risks could be managed.

[Finvola in reply to IanMK]

Thank you, I had been thinking along those lines Ian and would like to hear of others with AF on AC’s before I ask again.

[Buffafly]

My husband has very bad varicose veins and varicose eczema and has been told treatment is no longer offered by the NHS 😢 He did investigate private treatment (the local private hospital is promoting it by having presentations with goody bags!) but decided against.

[Finvola in reply to Buffafly]

Thank you Buffafly. My husband who has no other health issues had vein ablation and scholotherapy (sp?) for a large nasty one with eczema which kept bleeding and causing problems.

We are fortunate to live very close to a good private hospital and I have faith in the surgeon who treated hubby there but I like to consider all the angles first. AF and anticoagulation are my main areas of consideration before I ask my GP again about getting a referral.

[Mary4711 in reply to Buffafly]

Hi just to let you know ,I believe having eczema concerns with varicose veins , depending how the condition effects you ,is available on the NHS.maybe you should mention this to your Doctor,if you ask to be referred to a vascular surgeon ,you may have a long wait ,but you may get a result,to suit you .Best Wishes Pamella.

[Buffafly in reply to Mary4711]

Thank you very much for your reply, but my husband has been to see his GP on numerous occasions and only been prescribed moisturising cream! Fortunately he is very conscientious about using it (and a wonderful eczema product I discovered) so no bleeding. His main complaint is the inflammation and itching which affects his arms as well but there is no Dermatology consultant in our area 🙁

Talking of long waits, I was referred to hospital last month for the extraction of a broken tooth as my dental surgery won't do extractions for people on anticoagulation. Yesterday my appointment for a consultation arrived - 6th December 😬

[Finvola in reply to Buffafly]

Six months! My former dentist wouldn’t take out a painful brute for me and I waited ten long days in pain but six months is awful. The dentist referred me to a consultant dentist on the NHS - a very large outfit which handled only referrals from other dentists. Superb skills too. Don’t know if that exists in your area

[Buffafly in reply to Finvola]

Six months until the consultation, not the treatment! My dentist tried to do a root canal which relieved the pain and cleared out the infection but long story short the tooth still needs to go 😧

[Buffafly in reply to Buffafly]

I've been referred to the Maxillofacial dept at the hospital, no mention of any other option.

[bfastgirl]

I had laser treatment on one leg and then the vein was cut and removed by small incisions (approx 25). The surgeon advised stopping Rivaroxaban 24 hours in advance and I resumed it the day after surgery, all without any problems.

[Finvola in reply to bfastgirl]

Thank you bfastgirl - that’s very encouraging. I’m keen to go forward whilst laser or RF has a good chance of success and I won’t need the full removal op.

[irene75359]

I can't offer any advice but am really interested in what you may find out as I have horrendous varicose veins that I thought I would be unable to ever have treated. I am prompted by my mother (97 in a couple of months) who has varicose veins (although not as bad as mine). She now has sores on her legs (including eczema) that only by very careful treatment have not turned into ulcers.

I had varicose veins stripped about 20 years ago but they do come back. However, I think treatment has moved on.

Best of luck in your investigations.

[Finvola in reply to irene75359]

Thanks, irene. I’m not really sure why my GP thought I had enough to deal with and should leave the vein alone for now. The response from bfastgirl has reassured me that it shouldn’t be a problem.

My husband’s experience was very positive - he too had both legs stripped some years ago and when the veins recurred, RF ablation under local anaesthetic and a follow up with injections to remove the eczema lump which kept bleeding furiously - foam sclerotherapy. The giant leaps forward in the simplicity and speed of modern procedures is amazing. I will certainly post any update on progress - best wishes to you too.

[Mary4711]

Hi I had vein ablation on the 8th of May .I was awake whole time ,did not have to come off Apixaban .The is a new method for veins ,they no longer strip them,which I preferred.there is nothing to worry about at all ,if you need any more details,please contact me .Hope this helps your decision .Best Wishes.Pamella.

[Finvola in reply to Mary4711]

Thank you Pamella - I like it that you didn’t have to stop Apixaban. That would certainly be my preferred option. Thank you too for your kind offer, it’s now a matter of talking to my GP again.

[Mary4711 in reply to Finvola]

Your very welcome Good Luck.