Vienus pooling

B_roth · October 6th, 2006, 01:04 AM

My girlfriend gets really bad vienus pooling, and I was wondering what, if anything can be done about it? I don't know much about it and thought that running or any cardio might help thinking it would help with circulation, any thoughts on this? She also gets jumpy legs when she's asleep, are the two related? It does not happen all the time, maybe 2-3 times a month. Thanks for any help.

**liza larence** · October 6th, 2006, 07:01 PM

It depends on whether you mean varicose veins from several pregnancies (or weight gain) or just poor circulation secondary to diabetes or peripheral vascular disease. Does she smoke? That has a HUGE effect.
One way to pump the blood in the lower extremities back up to the heart is to do calf raises...high reps, just standing on a stair step...say, 4-6 sets of 30-50 reps...every other day.
TED hose (anti-embolism stockings) can help, too.
I really need more info!!

B_roth · October 7th, 2006, 12:44 AM

She is only 23, no diabetes, no smoking, she does not have any varicose viens, just super bad circulation. She has had some crazy back surgery, 8 vertibrae (yes, eight) and an eight inch titanium rod inserted..... but I don't think that would be part of the problem. Are TED hose the same thing nurses wear, really tight stockings? She already wears those for work if that's the case. She is a small framed girls, tiny shoulders and waist, but her legs are pretty big, from both muscle and fat, if this helps. She is 5'5" and 135lbs ish. Her feet and legs are always cold, even on pretty hot days. ohh, and to answer the first question, not red, but swollen, no viens show. Thanks for any more information. I'll let her know about the calf raises, she already does these, but I don't think very religiously.

**liza larence** · October 7th, 2006, 11:20 AM

Has she ever had any imaging studies in her legs, like an arteriogram?
Can you feel her pulses in her feet? (Top of the foot, right in the middle, and also the inside of her ankle....dorsalis pedis and posterior tibialis arteries.)
Do her lower legs hurt when she walks any significant distance?
For now, I would definitely recommend the high rep calf raises and support hose....even "Sheer Energy" panty hose will keep the swelling down as well as a low sodium diet. Sometimes lower extremity edema can be a cardiac issue and have nothing to do with the peripheral blood vessels. Has she ever been told she has a heart murmur, or had a cardiac workup?
Sounds like she had a big scoliosis surgery when she was younger, with the Harrington rods placed...often severe scoliosis can lead to lung and heart problems.
Pooling of venous blood in the lower extremities with resultant edema can often be the by product of a weak heart.
Just trying to provide some information...I am not a cardiologist, and am not making any diagnosis, but hoping to perhaps provide a little direction for you two to investigate further.
Good luck

B_roth · October 10th, 2006, 07:17 PM

Thank you for all the info. She had kiphosis(sorry about spelling) from spinal menengitis when she was a baby that was not completly removed. Her last surgery was about 10 months ago which the rods were put in as well as undo an unsuccesfull operation from when she was 9. I've been the motivation to get better for her so any real information I can giver her is great. I hope the operation was not hard on her heart. She has been running distances of up to 4 miles lately and wants to get up to 5, then work on getting the time down. This sounds like a good way if she does have a semi-weak heart to strengthen it, yes? I thought it would be a good way to improve her circulation when she first started running. Anyway, thanks for all the info again.

**liza larence** · October 15th, 2006, 07:21 PM

It is not the surgery that endangers the heart, but the curvature of the spine itself...when kyphotic or scoliotic, the mid back is almost bent double, compressing both the heart AND lungs... increasing the work of breathing, and overstressing the heart to pump oxygenated blood, crippling the young female afflicted. (This usually happens in young girls, like age 9-12)
Often that horrible, very invasive spinal fusion surgery MUST be done to save lives...chronic pain is often the result, and there can be other complications as I mentioned above.
I would recommend a cardiology consult (through her PCP, or primary care provider) to check her heart valves with an "echocardiogram" ..sounds like her heart muscle is pumping plenty strong

to be able to run that far!

Pilatunes · May 23rd, 2008, 01:27 PM

The jumpy legs thing is something I suffered from for many years. I now take a very low dose of clonazepam (0.5 mg) before I go to bed and that seems to help. It's a long shot, but she should also see if she has sleep apnea.

**wildstang** · May 23rd, 2008, 02:37 PM

the jumpy legs can also be a sign of RLS restless leg syndrome wich is quite trobelsome for the patient often not allowing them to get a full nights sleep amongst many other sides. it can be treated with a variety of many drugs such as neurontin for example. usually associated with PAD. on the original poster it appears shes quite active and could benefit from gravity boots IE hanging upside down for short period of time allowing gravity to assist in removing pooled up blood from lower extremity. also is great for eleviating some spinal pain issues wich i use it for. not really sure how it would be for pain issues for her considering her torrington rod in place but it will definitely help with blood flow issues.