Varicose Veins and RLS

[charlie1234567890]

Does anyone know if varicose veins and spider veins affect RLS? I have a couple on both legs that bother me at times, and always wondered if they could be part if the RLS problem. Couldn't find any mention of this on this site.

[ChrisColumbus]

Don't know, but the post and replies to the post linked at the bottom refer (most of the replies negative):

"Apparently in 93% of patients who have some kind of ultrasound treatment to treat these veins, it stops RLS!!"

healthunlocked.com/rlsuk/po...

[ChrisColumbus in reply to ChrisColumbus]

I should add that the Reply dismissing the possibility because RLS is 'neurological' while veins are 'circulatory' is a little short-sighted. There are certainly some circulatory elements to my RLS, and I think that it's about time that all recognised that RLS is a complex condition with different causes and triggers. As we often say on here "we're all different", as is our response to triggers and treatments

[charlie1234567890 in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Thank you for your post. I may look into it!!

[Claire_lc in reply to charlie1234567890]

Hi Charlie, I had varicose vein surgery today after hearing from my brother (who also suffers from RLS) that his symptoms improved (although didn't disappear) after he'd had laser treatment on his legs. I'd always been convinced that I don't have varicose veins, as nothing much is visible, however when I consulted a vascular surgeon and had an ultrasound scan, he told me my veins were actually in a very poor state internally. Although it's been expensive, I'm desperate enough to try anything.

I'm not sure whether you went ahead with it and would be interested to hear your story if you did. In the meantime I will post again after a few weeks to report on any improvement.

Depending on how bad your veins are, I reckon it's worth doing anyway, as my father and grandfather both had varicose veins and both developed leg ulcers in later life.

[Amrob]

Try looking up "venous insufficiency" on this site.

Spider veins and varicose veins are a manifestation of venous insufficiency.

It's worth noting that varicose veins and spider veins develop more often in women than in men. They increase in frequency with age. An estimated 30% to 60% of adults have varicose veins or spider veins.

Obviously, this proportion of the population doesn't have RLS. While a link has been suggested between the two, i'm not sure how much evidence there is to support it.

[Rwall]

I'd never thought of that....as my stomach IBS issues directly trigger an RLS episode, I certainly wouldn't doubt that circulation could also be a trigger, however not sure if it could actually CAUSE it to begin with. I have multiple and varied issues that trigger episodes, so I suppose the important thing is that you continue to know your body and know what triggers to try to avoid. That being said, I will certainly look into my circulation problems and at least have that checked out again :--) Thanks for posting!

[Merny5]

I would not waste your time and money on vein removal. I have tried almost everything that has been mentioned to treat RLS. Yes, even the soap at the foot of the bed.😬This procedure was the most expensive and painful of them all. A total scam.

[Guitarpickin]

my vein doctor suggested veins could be a contributing factor. But she didn’t seem to imply venous insufficiency would actually cause RLS.

[Bugsycat]

hi, I have severe rls and earlier this year I had laser treatment on my veins in both legs as my legs were hurting when I walked. I was hoping it may have some impact on my rls but no, it hasn’t. However my legs feel better and don’t ache all day in the way they did.

I would recommend it as my varicose veins have gone