Sudden Weird Vein Problem...Anyone else?

So Saturday morning I woke up and showered and as I was drying off I noticed this crazy looking raised thick blue vein line running from the top of my inner thigh to my knee. It was never there before. I thought, "Weird" and moved on cause I got no time for that, right?

Sunday morning I woke up and went to get out of bed and my thigh hurt there.  Throughout the day it started hurting, throbbing really, more and more.  The vein is now raised and thick and weird looking all the way to mid calf. 

I have a history of some nasty cardiac problems (genetic conductivity disease) so I have a call into my heart doctor and his nurse is working on getting me an appointment. 

For the medical inclined among us: No history of varicose veins. No fever, no swelling, no redness. Bilateral symmetry with no swelling in the affected leg. Hyper tender to the touch and throbbing is constant but better when resting or leg elevated. No headache, no nausea, no sweating, no heart palpitations. BP normal range.

I've read that vein issues can be related to WLS.  Do any you have experiences like this? 

Thanks!

~Elizabeth

I don;t have spec info - but sounds good that you are working to get seen.  Prayers coming your way.

Thank you! ~E

Sounds like you might have bulging in the vein, or thrombophlebitis.  There are many causes, including problems with the valves in the vein.  Given that you don't have any symptoms beyond throbbing and tenderness, it is likely not an emergency situation, but glad that you are seeing a physician to rule out anything more serious.  Let us know how things go!

Not a doctor here!  But oh, do I know my varicose veins!  What you are describing sounds unusual for the regular progression of varicose veins.  They usually develop more slowly over time.  The way you describe the pain also sounds somewhat different from regular varicosities.  In my experience, varicose veins hurt in a kind of achy way, although they can also feel like bruising--and perhaps for someone who has never felt the pain before it seems worse. 

However, since it has come on suddenly, and the pain is increasing, and it is big, I would suspect a possible blot clot.  A blood clot can be really serious.  If it breaks loose, then it travels to other places in your body (heart, lungs).  Although your cardiologist might be able to help with a clot, I would not wait.  If you can't get in to him within a day, I would go see your GP or even an insta-care. People with clots are usually evaluated and treated immediately, and sometimes hospitalized, because of the potential problems when a clot breaks loose.

For regular varicose vein treatments, interventional radiologists are the right specialty to see.  But I think any general medical practitioner would know how to address a blood clot.  

Definitely, as I lost weight, my veins started to show and hurt more than before.  I imagine that the fat was providing a kind of padding--almost a splinting effect in some places.  (I don't know if that is true, but it made sense to me.)  The distention and pain increased more and more over the year after my surgery.  But again, this increase was gradual, not sudden--the varicose veins were there, painful and distended, before surgery.  In your case, there are lots of red flags:  the suddenness, the no history of varicosities, the size of the vein, and what from your description sounds like severe pain that increased very quickly. 

Not trying to be alarmist, but really I would have it checked out quickly.  Better safe than sorry.  Why not call your GP today?

Edited to add:  a lot of times, a blood clot has a "hot spot" feeling.  It can have a red area where it is most sensitive to the touch.  However, the clot could be in the pelvic area or deeper in your leg.  In any case, if you have a hot spot or red area, that is a definite sign of concern.  And if not, it is still good to be seen quickly, IMO.

xoxo

Got in touch with my cardiologist and he ordered a doppler ultrasound STAT. Just got done with that. Home resting while I wait for the doctor to rad the results. Will let ya know!

~Elizabeth

Ultrasound follow up: Ultrasound came back all clear. No blockages and no clots. Follow up with vein specialist to be scheduled. Nothing urgent.  

Went home to elevate leg. Hurting like a bear at the moment due to the pressing down bit of the scan. Should be all good.

That's very good to hear. Here's hoping that the pain can be managed effectively. I hope you can get this fixed.

Good Luck and prayers to you.

Thank you! Had a follow up with the vein specialist yesterday.  He said I am all clear.  Some leaky veins but he said that is normal for my age, for having carried so much extra weight so long, and for having had so many babies.  He said no further treatment needed and the pain has gone almost entirely away now.  Elevate and ice as needed.  Whew! Dodged a mess.  So grateful once again that I am so much lighter than I was.  

~Elizabeth

I've had two leg vein surgeries.  The last one involved a Mayo-trained specialist flown in to perform a 3 1/2 hour long procedure.  Afterward, he profusely apologized for complications (kinked veins) which caused me to wake up in the middle of the procedure.  My best advice for leg discomfort is to wear compression stockings as best you can tolerate them, keep the sore leg elevated often and walk daily.