u/BeeAtTheBeach

I wear 20-30 compression socks daily, but recently have been getting that achy/heavy feeling in my lower legs fairly often. Especially after walking or being on my feet for a while. It will go away for a while if I put my feet up for a bit, although it will come back later in the day. Sometimes within minutes. No swelling as far as I can tell. What can I do?

I saw my PCP again today and she prescribed me a compounded cream (Dhea estrodiol/estrol/progestrone/testosterone 5mg/80/20 1mg.-50mg.-2mg. per 0.25 gm) that I honestly can't remember if it was supposed to be bioidentical or not, but it is $60 a month. Not sure I can afford that long term and thus afraid to even try it.

She did mention another option, which would be a patch and injectables ... I don't remember other details than that right now. So I'm trying to figure out my options and what is best to do.

Does bioidentical really matter than much anymore?

My doctor started me on low-dose aspirin along with my venous reflux/CVI diagnosis. To lower blood clot risk I assume, but he never said exactly why. Although I am over 50 too and I know a lot of people my age get on low-dose aspirin anyway.

I'm also on Duloxetine and Cilostazol, all of which can increase bleeding risks. The doctor didn't seem to think this would be an issue for me, but I've gotten a few random bruises that have got me worried. I did mention this to the doctor, but he didn't seem concerned ... said not to worry unless I start getting a lot of them and/or bleeding a lot when I get a little cut.

Anyone else on daily low-dose aspirin?

With all the potential side effects, especially with higher doses and/or long term use, iIs this a drug we need regular blood testing with? If so, how often and what sort of tests should be done?

I've been on Duloxetine for about 3 months now and it's a pain every time I need a refill. Basically the doctor's office won't refill it unless I come in and see the doctor. Super annoying.

I have an appointment tomorrow and will bring this up for sure.

Anyone else have this issue?

I haven't had an actual episode (with color changes) since being medicated (Pletal/Cilostazol) for my Raynaud's but the last few days my fingertips have been super sensitive when I touch anything cold for more than a few seconds. They get tingly and sort of hurt.

Anyone else get this without the typical color changes?

Hello, I (52f) and have been dealing with foot/ankle pain off and on for about a year or so, but it's become more bothersome recently. The balls of my feet hurt when I walk (kinda feels like walking on a bunched up sock) and when I'm on my feet for a while. My toes will go numb/tingly, so bad I have a hard time keeping my (flip-flops or backless styles) shoes on. Plus, my ankles feel stiff/tight. Doing exercises (foot pumps, toe scrunches, ankle rotations, etc) tend to make all this worse.

My PCP said my Achilles was tight and pretty much dismissed the rest as age related and said I need better cushioned shoes. There is no swelling, redness, or warmth that I notice. She referred me to PT.

I did a consult with the physical therapist, who also said my Achillies was tight. She mentioned I might have a little plantar fasciitis as well.

My question is, would this explain all my symptoms or could there be something else going on?

For further reference, I am not overweight (as of the last two years at least), moderately active, and otherwise healthy. Don't smoke or drink. As far as I can tell (or remember) there was no injury that led to this. I usually walk/jog on the treadmill either barefoot or in minimalist shoes. Use to wear Vibram's but can't get my toes in them anymore.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. TIA 😄

I started with 20mg twice a day. This left me pretty constipated. My doctor upped my dose to 30mg, which I worried would make the constipation worse, but it seems to have the opposite effect on me.

Either that or it's some perimenopause hormone stuff keeping me in the bathroom lately.

Anyone else?

I got my labs back and want to approach my doctor about getting on hormones. One of the things she mentioned was a concern that since I'm not fully menopausal yet, that hormones would prolong my periods. I've been mostly regular (around a 30 day cycle) for the last year or so, with a skipped period here and there.

The recent labs were taken during one of these skips. Yes, I know these can vary and are not a fool proof way to deal with all this, but it is a starting point. Right now I just need to talk my doctor into things.

In a previous post, many of you all here said that her concern about extending my periods was not valid. So, how do I present that information to her?

I've found the most common start would be low-dose transdermal bioidentical estradiol (patch or gel) at 25 mcg/day and bioidentical micronized progesterone 100mg nightly. Would this likely bring back my periods?

TIA for any help with this :)

Hello, I (52f) and have been dealing with foot/ankle pain off and on for about a year or so, but it's become more bothersome recently. The balls of my feet hurt when I walk (kinda feels like walking on a bunched up sock). My toes go numb, so bad I sometimes have a hard time keeping my shoes (flip-flops or backless styles) on. My ankles feel stiff/tight. Doing exercises (foot pumps, toe scrunches, ankle rotations, etc) tend to make all this worse.

My PCP said my Achilles was tight and pretty much dismissed the rest as age related and said I need better cushioned shoes. There is no swelling, redness, or warmth that I notice. She referred me to PT but it will be a couple weeks before I start that.

For further reference, I am not overweight (as of the last two years), moderately active, and otherwise healthy. Don't smoke or drink. As far as I can tell (or remember) there was no injury that led to this. I usually walk/jog on the treadmill either barefoot or in minimalist shoes. Use to wear Vibram's but can't get my toes in them anymore.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. TIA :)

Finally asked my PCP about HRT today but she said I should wait till I'm in full menopause. She said taking hormones before would prolong my periods. Is that true?

Any women with CVI had hormone therapy for menopause? I read sometimes it can make symptoms worse.

I wear compression socks daily (currently 20/30 knee high ones, but about to try thigh highs) but still get breakthrough symptoms. Achy/heavy legs, periodic itching/burning, restless legs ... especially after prolonged standing or walking.

Is there a common medication that others are taking for similar symptoms dealing with CVI?

I'm currently on Duloxetine, which seems to take the edge off, but I still don't feel 100% (if that's even possible to get back to at this point). Of course, I'm also dealing with perimenopause, so there's that too.

As mentioned in another post, my doctor suggested adding Amitriptyline, but I'm worried about extra side affects with taking those together. He also mentioned ablation, but I'd rather not do that unless I have to.

I'm still learning about all this and how to adjust to my new normal.