None of my cel phone pictures came out very well, but kind of looked like I had another ankle bone growing out of the out of the wrong part of my leg. Of course, I thought it was probably a blood clot, compound fracture, or high-ankle sprain. Of course, I also know I'm a hypochondriac.
But, the doctor's office doesn't have appointments on Saturdays (walk-in only), and I thought I might be able to get it looked at quickly since it was right at 9:00am when the office opened.
I ran back to my car and was seeing the doctor within 15 minutes. Her diagnosis: Varicose veins.
So, compression socks, here I come. yay. Hopefully though, with some improved circulation and some more leg exercises, I can get rid of the power outage feeling I've been having lately (since Philly, really.) To clarify, varicose veins having nothing to do with not enough blood getting to the legs...but some of the symptoms are pain, heaviness, and the inability to stand for long periods. I've got the pain and feeling of heaviness in the legs, so the diagnosis seems to fit what I'm experiencing. I didn't go to med school, but I can wikipedia with the best of them.
Dude - that looks freaky. Like, seriously freaky. My legs always look weird after a long run, but that's because I go through an entire-body spasm, starting at my toes . . . for the next day, I just get random little bursts from different muscle groups, as if they're all just lining up to yell at me, but have to wait their turn.
ReplyDeleteAll that said, I always feel better wearing compression stuff. During cold-weather runs, it's a long-sleeved compression shirt, compression tights, and a warm outer-layer. In the heat, it's compression shorts & T, something somewhat looser over that, and then, as soon as I'm done, compression socks on my calves.
It was pretty gross. I took my first run in the compression socks, and they helped a lot! I don't usually like compression stuff because I get warmer faster in it, but these didn't seem bad. Hopefully I have this sort of cleared up by summer!
ReplyDeleteDeep vein thrombosis is the term used to describe blood clots that form in the veins, usually in the lower legs.
ReplyDeletespider veins guide
Thank you so much. I have been to the doctor so many times, pointing out this issue with other issues determined but no answer for this pain. I have them on both side, but the pain (feels like an electric shock with I touch it) is only on one side. I will now look into compression socks. Glad I found someone with this issue.
ReplyDeleteGood luck. I hope the socks help. I feel like foam rolling my shins has helped, too. (There's video of it how to do it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ewma5enF01A Note how she leans to one side then the other -- you're really rolling the muscle just to the outside of the boniest part of you shin)
DeleteI have had issues with spider veins like that before. After my runs, they would be all swollen and kind of freaky looking. They would also hurt at times. Have you looked into getting them removed? I know some clinics can laser them away.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.eliteveincenters.com/services-1/