Venous Insufficiency

[Luv2play]

With the news the president has chronic venous insufficiency, I started to think of all the elderly people I know who have this condition. My sister’s companion who is over 87 has had it for years. Her legs are very swollen and she now uses a walker.

My older brother who is 83 wears elastic stockings to alleviate the swelling. He is quite obese so I wasn’t surprised he had this condition. 

There don’t seem to be any threads on this site about this condition. Does anyone have any experience themselves or people they know? 

[+ sync]

It came upon me recently.  My medical advice was when sitting to elevate my feet if possible.  If elevating my feet is not possible, to extend my legs enough that my knees are not creating 90 degree angles.  Those two practices have worked very well for me.

 

[Luv2play]

1 hour ago, sync said:

It came upon me recently.  My medical advice was when sitting to elevate my feet if possible.  If elevating my feet is not possible, to extend my legs enough that my knees are not creating 90 degree angles.  Those two practices have worked very well for me.

 

I suppose that an easy reclining chair with the legs raised when seated would work well. 

[BSR]

My mom got quite annoyed and felt very self-conscious when her feet and ankles started swelling.  The doctor explained that it comes with age, there’s no cure, and treatment for the symptoms is limited — all of which she was quite unhappy to hear.  For the longest time, she spent hours a day with her feet elevated and slept with her feet propped up, only to get disappointed to see her feet & ankles swell back up once she resumed a normal sitting or standing position.  After 6 months or so, she finally accepted what the doctor had told her.  So she’s still unhappy about it but acknowledges it’s hardly the end of the world.

[+ Pensant]

I’m so proud of my slender ankles that I’d be mortified if I got that condition. 

[EZEtoGRU]

Can venous insufficiency can lead to deep vein thrombosis?  Just wondering for no particular reason🤔  

[Luv2play]

5 hours ago, EZEtoGRU said:

Can venous insufficiency can lead to deep vein thrombosis?  Just wondering for no particular reason🤔  

From what I understand it doesn’t necessarily lead to DVT but can be associated with it. Some who get DVT have already had venous insufficiency. But I have heard of cases of DVT with people who have not had venous insufficiency. 

[+ PhileasFogg]

On 7/20/2025 at 9:01 AM, Pensant said:

I’m so proud of my slender ankles that I’d be mortified if I got that condition. 

Exactly.  I wouldn’t be happy with Cankles

[Rudynate]

I have it. As the result of a clotting disorder I have had many incidents of DVT and 2 of Pulmonary Embolus.  The leaflet valves, which send blood back toward the heart from the lower extremities have been compromised so the blood tends to pool  in my legs and feet.  I'm manic about the self care for this -  I wear compression socks from the moment I get out of bed till the moment I crawl into bed.  The foot of my bed is elevated on blocks, I elevate my feet during the day, I stay active by going to the gym several times a week and going for a long walk every day. Because I'm so proactive, my feet don't look too bad, a little swollen, but my skin is in good condition and isn't discolored.  I stay close to my vascular surgeon.  

[Rudynate]

On 7/20/2025 at 7:00 PM, Luv2play said:

From what I understand it doesn’t necessarily lead to DVT but can be associated with it. Some who get DVT have already had venous insufficiency. But I have heard of cases of DVT with people who have not had venous insufficiency. 

The DVT causes the venous insufficiency - they call it  post-thrombotic syndrome.

[Rudynate]

I'm suspicious about Trump's venous insufficiency (CVI).  You can "get" CVI as a result of varicose veins - more common in women, but not unheard of in men, especially obese, sedentary men like Trump. Another way to get it is post-thrombotic syndrome as I mentioned above, but aside from post-thrombotic syndrome, the most common way to get CVI is from congestive heart failure (CHF).  I think Trump is a prime candidate for CHF.  I think they could withhold that information from the nation and still convince themselves that they are being fully transparent.

[jeezifonly]

My activity level dropped when I retired - so I remain conscious about moving more, improving my ratio of water to sodium, and radical elevation (on back, butt against wall, legs straight up for 30m) Recent knee surgery has aggravated the swelling, but it should recede just in time for the other knee replacement coming up. 😀